How to Make a Hollow Dolphin Out of Clay

Create a small or a life-like mammal using clay.

Making a hollow clay dolphin is an economical solution because it involves using less material. The figurine will also be lighter and easier to transport, especially if you are planning to make a life-like sculpture. To make a hollow figurine, you need to prepare an armature, which is a structure that holds the clay. Use air-dry clay, which doesn't involve firing or baking.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken wire
• Wire cutters
• Tape
• Newspaper
• Air-dry clay
• Clay rolling pin or pasta machine
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Paints
• Varnish
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Cut a rectangle out of chicken wire with the length equaling the length of the body of the dolphin. Shape the wire into a cylinder with narrower ends. This is the body of the dolphin. Tape the edges of the rectangle using tape or small wire pieces.

2. Create a triangle using chicken wire. Establish the location of the dorsal fin and tape the triangle to the cylinder you made in Step 1. Cut two triangles and attach them to the lower part of the wire armature as the flippers. Shape a beak and the flukes and tape them to the wire body of the dolphin.

3. Knead the clay on a clean surface, such as a wooden table or on a plastic, even surface.

4. Use a clay rolling pin to create a clay slab. As an alternative, pass a lump of clay through a pasta machine, setting it so the clay has a thickness of at least 1/4 inch. If you make a larger figurine, the thickness of the clay slab should be at least 1/2 inch.

5. Apply a clay slab to the wire armature you created. Start with the body of the dolphin and put the clay slabs close together so you cover the entire armature and the wire is no longer visible. Create smaller clay slabs to cover the beak, fin, flipper and the flukes. Run your fingers over the areas where two clay slabs meet and unite the slabs.

6. Put the dolphin aside and allow it to dry. This may take up to 12 hours or even more, if the atmosphere is humid and the dolphin is large.

7. Sand the surface of the clay dolphin with fine-grit sandpaper. Paint and varnish the figurine.

Tips & Warnings

• If the clay dries while you work on the dolphin, wet it using a moist sponge or a paintbrush you dip in water. Air-dry clay is not water-resistant, so protect your figurine. Apply two or several layers of varnish, which protects the clay.

References

• Art-Rageous: Wire and Sculpey Clay Figure Sculptures
• The Clay Teacher: Finishing Clay Projects the Air-Dry Way