Sculpey Clay Tutorial
Art begins as a simple idea. Polyform Products Company, the maker of Sculpey clay, offers 17 different types of oven-baked and molding clays for your sculpting pleasure. Because you can bake and cure Sculpey clay in your oven, and not have to fire it in a kiln, you can explore an inexpensive path for creativity.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Smooth surface
- Alcohol based inks (optional)
- Conditioning or pasta roller (optional)
- Acrylic roller (optional)
- Oven or toaster oven
- Molds (optional)
- Clay knife
Instructions
-
-
1
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Soften the Sculpey clay by kneading with your hands or roll several times through a conditioning machine or pasta machine, at the thickest setting. Fold the Sculpey clay in half after each pass when using a conditioning machine. Insert the folded end into the conditioning machine first.
-
2
Flatten the Sculpey clay. Fold it in half. Knead by pressing with the ball of your hands. Turn it one-quarter rotation. Fold it in half again. Turn the Sculpey clay over and rotate it one-quarter. Knead until soft. Check the Sculpey clay for air bubbles. Pop air bubbles with a pin and smooth the area.
-
-
3
Divide the Sculpey clay into sections, about 2 oz. each. Return any remaining Sculpey clay to the container and seal for later use.
-
4
Section the amount of clay needed for your project. Roll at the widest setting with the conditioning machine or an acrylic roller. Apply an alcohol-based ink for colorization.
-
5
Dry the ink on the Sculpey clay thoroughly. Run the Sculpey clay through the machine or knead with your hands until the colors are blended.
-
6
Clean all tools and machinery with baby oil or baby wipes when changing colors. Clean your hands well with industrial soap and water.
-
7
You can create just about anything with Sculpey clay. Separate the clay into sections for each piece of your project. Shape it with your hands or tools such as a clay extruder, creating tubes. Create flat pieces with the conditioning machine or an acrylic roller.
-
8
Gently press the clay into the molds. A nonstick clay adhesive may be added, before filling the mold. Fill the mold one-third of the way, pressing the clay to the edges. Repeat until the clay is flush with the top of the mold. Remove the clay from the mold before baking.
-
9
Make indentations and marks in the clay, adding interest and texture. Slice edges with a sharp clay cutting knife. Add texture by pressing with kitchen pot scrubbers, the knife, or anything that will leave a pattern on the clay.
-
10
Slice the ends at a 45 degree angle when joining sections of clay. Make very small cross hatch incisions at the joining point, strengthening the joined sections with a rough texture. Pinch together and smooth rough areas.
-
11
Check your sections again for air bubbles. Pop bubbles with a pin and smooth over them with your finger.
-
12
Add a Sculpey clay softener, following the manufacturer's instructions, if the medium becomes dry.
-
13
Place the clay on a level oven-safe dish. Support raised sections with aluminum cans, aluminum racks or aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes in the oven or toaster oven. Do not bake in the microwave. Remove from the oven with oven mitts. Cool on a flat surface.
-
14
Sand any rough areas. Paint with additional acrylic, fabric paint or water-based paint, if desired. Use a glaze before painting with any other type of paint.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the clay is too soft, roll clay to 1/4-inch thickness. Firm the clay by laying it between two sheets of white paper. Repeat until the clay is the desired consistency.
Refrigerating or freezing unused clay will extend shelf-life.
Wear plastic gloves when applying ink because the Sculpey clay will stain your hands. Always build color in layers.
Repair any cracks with plumber's putty, a two-part epoxy glue. Do not bake again. Allow to dry before painting.
Always use gloves when coloring clay.
Store Sculpey clay at temperatures lower than 85 degrees.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images childs pottery image by Jeanne Hatch from Fotolia.com Contours in Clay image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
