How to Form the Model for a Trout Sculpture

When you don't want to taxidermy your prize trout, you can recreate it using a clay sculpture. This is simply done by making a model of a trout in clay then mounting it to a board for display. Your first step, after cutting the clay for your sculpture, is to create the basic model.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lazy Susan
• Trout picture
• Pre-cut clay slab
• Extra clay
• Clay carving tools

1. Set out the Lazy Susan on your table and set your work surface on it. The Lazy Susan allows you to rotate your work easily as you sculpt.

2. Lay the pre-cut clay out on your work surface. Place the picture of your trout on the clay. The head should be at the thicker end of the clay, and the tail at the thinner end. If the clay has been cut uniform, then just center the picture on the clay surface.

3. Use the extra clay to fill in any areas, such as the fins or tails, that may not have clay under the trout picture.

4. Trace around the outside of your trout photo with the pointed clay tool. This is the tool that looks like a miniature ice pick. Once you have fully traced the trout photo, remove it.

5. Cut the clay away from your model using a razor blade knife or the pointed clay tool. You are now ready to start creating forming the full shape and detail of your trout sculpture.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have time to complete your sculpture in one sitting, wrap it and the work board up in think plastic. If it is going to sit for a prolonged period of time, you can spritz it with water before wrapping it.