How to Make a Clay Human Head

Carve a human head, also known as a bust, from a block of clay.

Creating a human head from clay is not an easy task. The individual making the head must understand three-dimensional sculpting before beginning the project. The facial features are placed within quadrants. The head is divided from top to bottom and side-to-side in four equal parts, making 16 different squares on the face surface. Beginners will benefit from carving very faint lines into the surface of the clay prior to attempting placing facial features.

Things You'll Need

• 12.5 lb. block of clay
• Clay carving tools
• Stylist
• Decorating wheel

Instructions

1. Center and place a 12.5 pound square block of clay on a decorating wheel. Carve the corner edges of the block of clay to create the desired head and neck shape.

2. Determine the front of the clay head. Draw a very light vertical line down the center of the clay face using the small end of the ceramic stylist. Divide the area to the left of the center vertical mark in half. Draw a vertical line at the mark. Divide the area to the right of the center vertical mark in half. Draw a vertical line at the mark.

3. Draw a very light horizontal line across the center of the clay face. Divide the area below the horizontal line in half. Draw a very light horizontal line at the mark. Divide the area above the vertical mark in half. Draw a very light horizontal line at the mark.

4. Position the top center of the nose at the center point of the first vertical and horizontal line. Draw the shape of the nose on the surface of the clay. The bottom of the nose rests on the bottom horizontal line. Carve the clay away to create the nose shape.

5. Continue carving the clay to create the cheeks and chin, leaving excess clay to each side of the nose for the eyes and halfway between the bottom tip of the nose and the chin.

6. Measure the bridge (top) of the nose. Draw eye shapes on either side of the nose bridge. The eyes begin the width of the nose bridge away from the side of the nose. The height of the eyes is the same as the width of the nose bridge.

7. Carve the clay away from the main body of clay to create the eye shapes. Curve the surface of each eye to show they portrude past the cheeks.

8. Determine the center of each eye. Draw the shape of the mouth halfway between the bottom tip of the nose and the chin. Begin the left side of the mouth directly in-line with the center mark on the left eye. End the mouth at the center mark of the right eye. The width of the lips is the same dimensions as the bridge of the nose.

9. Carve the clay away from the main body of clay to create the eye shapes. Curve the surface of each lip to show they portrude from the surface of the face.

10. Turn the clay human head one quarter turn to the right, using the nose as the center mark. Lightly draw a vertical mark down the center of the head. Lightly draw a horizontal line across the center of the head. Repeat the process on the right side of the head.

11. Center and draw the shape of the ear so the top is even with the horizontal center line. Center the ear on the vertical line. Position the bottom of the ear even with the line extending from the bottom tip of the nose. Repeat the process with the opposite ear.

12. Carve the main body of clay from around the ear to achieve the ear shape.

13. Turn the decorating wheel so the face is pointing toward you. Carve the hair onto the surface of the clay.

    The hairline begins at the top horizontal line.

14. Smooth the surface of the clay with the tips of your fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a wet paper towel over the clay head or along the side of the clay body when storing. Put the clay head and the wet paper towel in a plastic bag. Tuck the edges of the plastic bag under the head to prevent evaporation.

References

• Incredible Art: Personal Identity Bust
• Sculpting the Human Head