How To Make A Clay Animal With Playdough

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Crafting a dirt horse is a great mode to pay tribute the dear animate being and best of all you're left with your very own handmade figurine to play with or proudly display. Decide what kind of clay best suits your project and vision, wear an apron and/or wearing apparel you don't mind getting dirty, and go set up to sculpt.

1. 1

   Decide if the type of modeling clay is the all-time pick for your projection. Many modeling clays are oil-based or wax-based, which means that they practise not dry out out. In fact, these clays tin can exist exposed to air however remain malleable for long periods of time, assuasive you both to motility and reshape your creations at volition and to preserve your pieces for long periods of time.^[i]

   • Modeling clay is besides sturdier than a material like play-doh and typically holds its shape ameliorate, making it easier to arts and crafts more detailed pieces. ^[2]
   • Note, though, that oil and wax-based modeling clays cannot be hardened, and painting these kinds of clay is non recommended.^[3] If you would like to be able to paint on your clay equus caballus, polymer clay might piece of work improve for you.

2. 2

   Set your work surface. Find a hard, flat surface to work on. Oil-based modeling clays tin be messy and tin can leave greasy stains on uncovered piece of work surfaces, and so depending on how clean you'd similar to keep that surface, you may find information technology helpful to cover your workstation with newspaper, wax paper, or saran wrap.

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3. iii

   Decide how large you'd similar your sculpture to be. Based on what size of horse you'd similar to make your equus caballus, gauge how much clay y'all'll need.

   • If you lot are new to clay modeling, you may want to avoid getting too overambitious with the scale of your horse; instead, start with a slice of clay that y'all can concur comfortably in one paw.

4. 4

   Knead and warm your dirt. Once you've got the correct corporeality of clay, brainstorm either squeezing it betwixt your hands or place the clay on your piece of work surface and knead information technology like bread dough. Continue squeezing or kneading until the clay is warm, soft, and easy to piece of work with.

5. v

   Divide your clay into sections. Cut your clay into four pieces using a craft knife, wire clay cutter, or your hands. 1 piece should be slightly larger than the the other three (which should all exist approximately the same size).

6. vi

   Model the equus caballus'southward neck and body. Accept your largest piece of clay and mold it into an oblong circle. Gently pinch one end of your oblong circle and pull information technology upwards to form your horse'southward neck.

   • Since you'll want your horse's body to be able to support its head, exist certain non make the neck too long or too thin.

7. vii

   Form your horse'due south head. Begin past mold i of your 3 equal-sized clay pieces into a peanut shape. Next, gently compression one end of your peanut shape, elongating it (this will exist your equus caballus's nose and mouth).

8. viii

   Create facial features. Using another one of your three equal-sized sections, craft two triangle-shaped ears and two circular eyes; be certain to set bated some of this clay for your mane and tail, though. Carefully attach your eyes and ears to the larger end of the equus caballus's head. Finally, attach your completed caput to your horse's neck.

9. 9

   Mold the equus caballus's legs. Cut your third play-doh section into four smaller pieces of equal size. Create long cylinder-shaped legs by rolling each of these pieces between your fingers until they're a length and width that await proportionate in relation to your horse'due south torso.

   • The thickness and peak of your legs will depend on whether or not you'd similar your horse to be able to stand upright. Thicker and shorter legs, for case, volition make for a sturdier base.

10. ten

    Mold and attach your hooves. Break off a pocket-size piece of clay from one finish of each cylinder to use for your hooves. Roll each hoof into a ball. Pinch each ball betwixt your thumb and pointer finger, making them into short cylinders. Attach 1 of these short cylinders to the bottom of each leg. At present adhere 2 legs to front end end of your horse's torso and two to the back end.

11. 11

    Add a mane and tail. Pause the last of your dirt into smaller pieces and form these pieces into strands or chunks of hair. To complete your horse, attach your tail to the rear finish of the horse's torso and your mane to the back of the horse's caput and neck and between its ears.

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1. ane

   Decide if polymer clay is the material that all-time suits your projection. Pieces made from polymer clay can be put in the oven to harden (although you can also purchase air dry polymer clay), making it a skillful option if preserving your sculpture is of import to you.

   • Polymer clay tin also be painted, which is platonic if you are looking to create a more detailed clay model.
   • Keep in mind that immature children should never endeavor to bake their polymer creations on their ain; adult supervision is always required when using an oven.

2. 2

   Get your work surface ready. Find a hard, flat surface to work on. Embrace your work surface in newspaper if you are concerned with messiness.

3. three

   Effigy out how much clay you'll need. While the calibration of your model is ultimately upwardly to you, call up that larger pieces will take longer to cure in the oven. We advise that you use an amount of dirt that you tin agree hands in the palm of one hand.

4. iv

   Warm your clay. To make your polymer clay as malleable equally possible, begin by squeezing information technology between your easily. Piece of work your until the clay is warm, soft, and easy to piece of work with.

   • You may also cull to identify the clay on your piece of work surface and knead information technology like bread dough.

5. 5

   Separate your clay into four sections. You tin can use your hands, a craft knife, or a wire dirt cutter to divide your dirt. One of your 4 piece should be slightly larger than the rest, and the remaining three sections should be of roughly equal size.

6. 6

   Create your horse's neck and torso. Mold your largest piece of clay into an oblong circle. Now gently compression one end of your oblong circle and pull it upwards to create a neck.

   • Make sure the neck isn't besides long or too thin -- if information technology is information technology won't be able to support your horse's head.

7. 7

   Mold a caput. Take 1 of your three equal-sized clay pieces and turn it into a peanut shape. Next, gently pinch one end of your peanut shape, elongating it, to make your equus caballus'due south nose and oral fissure.

8. 8

   Create and add eyes and ears. Using another one of your three equal-sized sections, create ii triangle-shaped ears and ii round optics (but be sure to set bated some of this dirt for your mane and tail). Carefully fasten the eyes and ears to the larger, more round end of your equus caballus's head. Now attach the caput to your horse's neck.

9. nine

   Mold legs for your horse. Cut your third play-doh department into four smaller pieces of equal size. Curl each of these pieces betwixt your fingers, creating long cylinders (legs), until they're a length and width that you desire.

   • The thickness and height of your legs should reflect whether or not you'd like your equus caballus to be able to sturdily stand upright. Legs that are thicker and longer make for a sturdier base.

10. 10

    Mold and attach your hooves. Intermission off a small slice of clay from 1 end of each leg to create your hooves. Curl each small piece into a ball. Compression these balls between your thumb and pointer finger until they resemble short cylinders. Attach one of these short cylinders to the lesser of each leg. Now attach two legs to forepart end of your horse's trunk and two to the back end.

11. 11

    Use the final of your dirt to brand a mane and tail. Suspension the last of your dirt into smaller pieces, forming these pieces into strands or chunks of hair. Finish modeling your horse by attach your tail to the rear finish of the horse's torso and your mane to the back of the horse'southward head and neck and betwixt its ears. Yous can omit the clay mane if y'all would prefer to paint i on after y'all've cured your sculpture.

12. 12

    Cure your polymer clay horse. Follow the packet instructions to ensure that you're blistering your piece at the right temperature and for the right amount of time.

    • Temperatures used to cook polymer dirt vary from 215°F (102°C) to 325°F (163°C). ^[4]

13. 13

    Choose paints that are best suited for your polymer clay. Acrylic paint is generally recommended, but if you offset glaze your piece with a glaze made for polymer clay (e.k. Sculpey Glaze) you lot may utilize almost any kind of pigment.^[five] Once more, painting your horse is an entirely optional step.

14. 14

    Determine what colour (or colors) you'd like to apply for your equus caballus. Many horses have spotted coats, which can be fun and a little more challenging to paint than single-colored coats. Remember, too, that while most horses establish in nature are some shade of brown, biscuit, blackness, or greyness, your artistic options are not every bit express. If pinkish is your favorite color and you would similar your horse's glaze or mane to exist pink, by all means go for it.

15. xv

    Exit your painted piece to dry. While many paints will dry in under half an hour, you may desire to look a little longer if yous'd like to be on the safety side. Drying times may also vary depending on how thick a glaze of paint you've practical.

16. xvi

    Employ a glaze of varnish. Coating your horse with a articulate varnish will help ensure that the paint maintains a fresh look and doesn't chip.^[vi] Exist sure your pigment has stale fully earlier you cover it with varnish, and be sure that the brush yous apply for your varnish coat is clean.

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1. ane

   Make up one's mind if play-doh is the best cloth for you. Play-doh can be a great sculpting cloth, particularly for younger artists, merely is not your best bet if yous'd like to create a more long-lasting sculpture.

   • Play-doh is good for young sculptors because it is very soft and piece of cake for small hands to mold.
   • Play-doh is also nutrient rubber, making it a wise choice for curious toddlers who might endeavour tasting their fine art supplies, and is marketed as being prophylactic for ages two and upwards.^[vii]
   • Unfortunately, play-doh will dry out out and crack if left sitting out, so be prepared for the fact that your slice may not remain intact or in good condition for long.

2. two

   Find a apartment surface to work on. While play-doh is adequately easy to make clean up, covering your work station with newspaper tin make the cleaning process easier.^[8]

3. 3

   Make up one's mind the scale of your projection. Decide how big you'd similar your equus caballus to exist and guess much play-doh you'll need appropriately.

   • In the interest of keeping your project manageable, y'all may want to avert getting too overambitious with the size of your model. Endeavour starting with an amount of play-doh that yous tin can hold hands in one paw.

4. 4

   Prepare your play-doh. To ensure that your play-doh is every bit soft and piece of cake to work with every bit possible, clasp it between your easily until it is warm.

   • If yous are using old play-doh that has begun to dry out, endeavour working a small amount of water into it to restore its pliability.^[9]

5. five

   Divide your play-doh into sections. Using your easily, break your play-doh into iv pieces, making one piece slightly larger than the residual (the other three pieces should be of roughly equal size).

6. vi

   Model the horse's neck and body. Have your largest piece of play-doh and mold it into an oblong circle. Gently pinch one cease of your oblong circle and pull it upwards to form your horse's neck.

   • Since you'll want your equus caballus'southward trunk to be able to support its caput, be sure non make the neck too long or too thin.

7. seven

   Grade your horse's head. Begin by mold one of your iii equal-sized clay pieces into a peanut shape. Gently pinch one end of your peanut shape, elongating it, to create the horse's nose and rima oris.

8. 8

   Create and attach facial features. Using another ane of your three equal-sized sections, craft two triangle-shaped ears and two round eyes (but make certain to set up bated some of this play-doh department every bit yous volition need it afterward to make your mane and tail). Advisedly adhere your eyes and ears to the larger end of the equus caballus's head, and fasten your completed head to the equus caballus'southward neck.

9. 9

   Make the equus caballus's legs. Split your tertiary play-doh department into four smaller pieces of equal size. Roll each of these pieces between your fingers, creating long cylinder-shaped legs.

   • How thick you lot and short (or how thin and alpine) you brand your legs will depend on whether or not you'd like your equus caballus to be able to stand upright. Thicker and shorter legs volition brand for a sturdier base.

10. ten

    Mold and attach your hooves. Break off a small piece of clay from one end of each cylinder to use for your hooves. Scroll each hoof into a ball, then pinch each ball betwixt your pollex and pointer finger until they get short cylinders. Adhere one of these brusque cylinders to the lesser of each leg, and then keep to attach two legs to front terminate of your horse's torso and two to the dorsum end.

11. 11

    Add together a mane and tail. Suspension the terminal of your play-doh into smaller pieces and form these pieces into strands or chunks of hair. Attach your tail to the rear end of the equus caballus'southward body and your mane to the dorsum of the equus caballus'south head and neck and between its ears.

12. 12

    Allow your horse to dry and paint if desired. Play-doh is an air-drying clay, so allow your slice sit out until information technology hardens (the drying process may take upward to several days, so have patience).^[10] Once your horse has dried you tin can add color and detail to your sculpture using either acrylic or poster paint (this is optional). ^[xi]

    • Bear in listen that even if you paint it, your play-doh horse is even so likely to crack or crumble after some time, as play-doh is not intended to be long-lasting.^[12]

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Add New Question

• Question

  Could I use natural, air-dry clay and paint it with acrylics?

  

  Y'all could, but you lot would need to mold quickly or the clay would dry before yous finish. Some air-dry clay types are paintable, but if you plan on painting it, you should use polymer clay (clay that you accept to bake).

• Question

  Tin I paint my model in acrylic paints or oil-based paints? Tin can I employ air dry clay instead of polymer?

  

  Either kind of dirt will piece of work, it just depends what you accept and what y'all adopt to work with. Acrylic paints piece of work well here, only oil-based ones may take besides long to dry.

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• If you didn't knead the clay properly before using, it may crack.

• Do not ever overbake your clay, it will break down the sculpture.

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Things You'll Need

• Clay or play-doh
• Arts and crafts knife (not necessary if you're using play-doh)
• Paint (optional)
• Apron (optional)

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