How to Sculpt Detail in Clay Clothing

Sculpting a model figurine requires attention to a number of details, not the least of which is the clothing. The clothes you select for sculpting your model greatly influence the appearance of your final product, so above all you should select clothes that you feel you can represent well with your sculpting abilities. Clothes come in a wide range of textures, so choose pieces you feel you can successfully fashion.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clay
• Clay tools

1. Sketch the clothes you want your model to be wearing. Make a note as you draw as to where the clothing will need to have more depth or where you will need to add accessories like buttons or ribbons.

2. Shape the clothes on the model. Once you have finished sculpting the clothes, go back and deepen all of the creases, seams and places where layers of clothes overlap.

3. Use a tool to dig under the clothes at the edges where they meet the body, for example at the neck and hands where the collars and cuffs are. Dig under the clay to create a narrow gap of space between the clothes and the body, and make the gap extend far enough that you cannot easily see where the clay of the clothes and the clay of the body meet.

4. Refine any articles of clothing that need to be symmetrical or identical. For example, if the clothes have buttons, make sure all of the buttons are the same size and that they are evenly rounded.

5. Make smaller folds, creases and wrinkles after you do all of the basic details. Tiny wrinkles will make the fabric look more lifelike, but don't overdo it or the texture will be unrealistic and distracting.