Things You'll Need:
- Clay
- Clay-working tools
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Step 1
Sketch the basic human form that you want to sculpt. For the first stage of you planning, you can envision the final product, but the initial sketch should be the most basic, unclothed form.
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Step 2
Sketch the first layer of detail you will add to the basic form. If you're adding a skirt and jacket, sketch the addition of the skirt first and work your way up. This will help you add the clay in the correct manner later.
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Step 3
Sketch the final product you want to finish with. Include any details you want the figure to have so that you don't forget later when you're working with the clay.
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Step 4
Condition the clay by kneading it and folding it, taking care to work out any air pockets that may have formed. Once the clay is ready, form a basic human body shape, unclothed. It may help to have a vertical wire connected to your base to keep the form standing upright (if you are sculpting a standing figure).
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Step 5
Add layers of clay to form the clothing on your model figure. Remember that where there are more layers of clothing, the clay should be thicker.
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Step 6
Reinforce the figure with clothing or some other object where the clay is thin or weak. The model will last longer if it is more robust, but don't make the clay artificially thick. Add clothing, or have the model hold some object, so that you have a reason to add more clay.
