How to Make Modelling Clay Robots
Polymer clay is a type of clay made primarily of plastic. It can be manipulated into an unlimited range of shapes and can be baked to harden the shape. Polymer clay has been used in a variety of applications to include beads, jewelry, ornaments and sculptures. Polymer clay comes in two types - hardening and non-hardening. Hardening polymer clay must be baked. A regular oven is necessary to complete the hardening process. Polymer clay is available in a number of colors and sizes and can be baked together without bleeding into attached pieces.
Things You'll Need
- 1 block of polymer clay
- Plastic polymer clay tool
- Aluminum foil
- Toothpick
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Oven
Instructions
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1
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil approximately 12 inches wide. Lay the aluminum foil on a flat surface in front of you. The foil will protect your work surface.
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2
Tear off a piece of clay from the first polymer block. The piece should be 1/3 of the block. Knead the clay piece in your hands until the clay warms and it is easy to manipulate.
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3
Form the clay into a ball. Begin to flatten the front, back, top, bottom and sides of the ball until a square or rectangle shape is formed. The square or rectangle will be the body of your robot. Make it the size that you wish. Set the finished body aside.
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4
Tear off a piece of clay from the first polymer block. This piece should be 1/6 of the original block size. Knead the clay piece in your hands until the clay warm and easy to manipulate. Form the clay into a ball. This will be the head of the robot. Set the head aside.
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5
Tear off a pinch of clay. Knead the clay until soft. Place the piece between the palms of your hands. Rub your palms back and forth to form a clay snake or rope shape. Set the snake aside.
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6
Push the top of the toothpick into the bottom center of the head. Push the toothpick halfway through the head. Do not push the toothpick through the top of the head.
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7
Compare the remaining length of the toothpick to the robot body. Make sure that the toothpick will not push through the bottom of the body when fully inserted. If the toothpick is too long, cut the toothpick to the appropriate length. Push the bottom of the toothpick into the top center of the body. Push the toothpick in until the head is flush against the body.
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8
Rub the area between the head and body to bond them further. Wrap the snake piece around the connection of the head and body. Tear off any excess length and rub the connection point with your finger to remove any indents.
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9
Make small indentations into the clay with the plastic polymer clay tool where you would like the eyes to be.
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10
Tear off a tiny pinch of clay to form the first robot's eye. Knead the clay until soft. Form the piece into a ball and insert the ball into the first eye indent. Repeat this process for the other eye socket.
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11
Tear off two pieces of clay to make the robot's feet. Form the clay into two disc shapes and place them on the bottom of your robot. Push upwards on the discs to adhere them to the body.
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12
Tear off two pieces of clay to make the robot's arms. Form the clay into oblong discs and place them on the sides of your robot. Push inwards on the top of each disc to adhere them to the body.
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13
Bake the polymer clay robot in an oven according to the directions provided by the polymer clay manufacturer. Remove the clay from the oven and allow the robot to cool completely.
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14
Paint details on the robot. Details can include a mouth, knots, buttons or seams.
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Tips & Warnings
Paper clips can be used for the arms instead of clay. Cut the paper clips to the desired length and bend the paper clips into position. Try to eliminate all crumbled areas and indentations in the clay before baking.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
