How To Use Sculpting Tools For Clay
Grab some tools and a ball of clay and make some faces letters and numbers or perhaps a weird and wonderful creature.
How to use sculpting tools for clay. Rib Tools Rib tools are traditionally made of wood and are used for cutting and scraping clay but theyre easily made out of old gift cards. Get to know the various styles available and learn how to use different tools for the best results in your sculpting. If you dont own an X-Acto knife get one.
A strong work surface eg a thick masonite board. Here are links to similar tools. Head to a department or craft store and pick out some polymer clay and a few sculpting tools.
Learn how to work with different styles of armatures depending on the projects - from simple supports for clay sculptures that will allow you to. Shaping the Clay Get out some polymer clay and a few basic tools. A quick overview of my favorite sculpting tools.
A set of playing cards. Use as a guide to get your clay rolled out evenly A beading awl or handheld pin drill for making holes. Twisted wire rake - twist 2 or more wires together and then bent into a loop this tool is great for raking across a surface to blend lumps and bumps together.
Knead the clay to make it more pliable and to remove any air bubbles. Although not strictly necessary this is the one investment that I would recommend. This is really just a fun exercise to get things started so dont worry about neatness at this stage.
X-Acto Knife Used for trimming away excess clay create grooves use the flat side to make simple fish scales. Working in three dimensions can be an interesting artistic challenge. Plastic shape templates in a few basic shapes or a few basic cutter sets.