How to Cut the Form of a Trout in Clay

You are in the midst of making a clay sculpture of a trout. So far you have found a photo which your using as a sample and have traced that pattern on your clay slab. You are now ready to cut out the form of the trout. This step is probably the easiest of the entire process of making a clay trout sculpture.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clay slab
• Pointed clay tool
• Plastic sack

1. Place the clay slab on your work surface if it isn't already there. This should be an area large enough to work on the sculpture from all angles, or it should be maneuverable so that you can rotate your piece of sculpture as you work.

2. Use the painted clay tool to slice completely through the clay following the outline which was created from your trout model. If the clay is too hard, you may have to use a razor blade knife to complete your cuts.

3. Cut carefully around any corners, such as the interior of the mouth, so that you do not tear the clay in towards the center of your sculpture.

4. Slice away from the body of your trout at period locations, such as the top of the fins and the points of the nose and tail. These cuts should continue to the outside of the clay, making it easy to peel away a portion of the exess clay at a time.

5. Peel away the extra clay carefully. If you feel any tension, be sure to cut the clay, and not rip it. Store the extra clay for use when adding details to your sculpture.

Tips & Warnings

• Set aside the extra clay that you remove into a protected plastic bag so that it doesn't dry out and you can use it later on this, or other sculpture projects.
• Clay can stain fabric. Use a plastic sheet or newspaper to protect your work area.