Things You'll Need:
- Fimo soft polymer clay, two contrasting or complimentary colors of choice Earthenware clay (terracotta) Magic Sculpt clay Model Magic Ceramic sculpting tools Long sewing needle Cookie sheet Parchment paper Bowl of water Sponge (small square) Half mask template Paints: stains, glazes, acrylics, tempera or enamels
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Step 1
Make beads using Fimo. Preheat an oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Work the Fimo in your hands until soft and supple, continuing until pliable. Remove small portions of each color and roll together to achieve a marbled appearance. Pinch off a piece of marbled Fimo and form the desired bead shape. Pierce a hole with a needle through the center of the bead. Place beads on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes. Remove when done. Let beads cool completely.
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Step 2
Create a pinch pot with terracotta. Knead clay until pliable. Determine the desired thickness and gradually work a uniformly rounded form. Insert thumbs into the middle and gradually press outward to enlarge the hole. As you work, rotate the pot. Moisten your thumbs to keep the clay smooth. Move your fingers along the interior and exterior walls to keep the surface of the pot smooth. Alternately, use a dampened sponge. Continue until desired pot shape is complete and let dry 24 hours. Paint with glaze and rent kiln time to fire the pot.
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Step 3
Design a Venetian mask with Model Magic. Find images in print or online. After kneading the clay, form the upper portion for a half mask. Use a half mask template if needed. Use sculpting tools to cut out two elliptical eyes. Move on to the nose. Make it beaked or curved. Attach the nose to the bottom of the half mask. Let air dry for 24 hours. Paint Venetian accents or designs with tempera, acrylics or enamels.
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Step 4
Use Magic Sculpt to render a portrait bust. Obtain a visual image to model after and draw a rough sketch for reference. Determine finished size. Knead and blend clay (for the entire bust) until pliable. On a glass surface, form a broad shape. Fill in any gaps with bits of clay and smooth. Work on the shoulder shape, which will become the base. Keep to subject proportion. Build up the neck and head and, with sculpting tools, carve and define the figure.
Moisten your hands to keep the clay moist. Use a round-ended tool to mark eyebrows. Create eye indentations and crosshatch inside sockets. Smooth small clay balls into the socket indentations. Coil clay for eyelids. Smooth onto the face and blend. Cross hatch along the areas of facial features. With wet fingertips, affix nose, mouth and ears. Stylize hair with texture using sculpting tools. Rework until it is finished to specifications, allow to dry and finish with acrylic or glazing.
