POLYMER CLAY FIGURES

The polymer clay figures are causing a furor. It is a very versatile material that allows an infinite number of different works.

We are going to give you ideas, you will see incredible creations of very talented artists and you will learn how these figures are made in case you want to cheer up.

You can have your own creations or make a nice and very personal gift to someone special.

HOW TO MAKE POLYMER CLAY FIGURES

You can make beautiful figures out of polymer clay. They can be people, animals or even aliens! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Some crafters like to create whimsical figures, while others prefer to create realistic-looking figures. These figures can also be a good choice for decorating cakes.

This material is a versatile and economical medium that can be used in a wide variety of crafts and is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists.

You can make a unique gift for friends and family. Realistic style or whimsical and fun shapes.

We explain how to make figures with this clay step by step.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLAY FOR OUR FIGURE

Choosing the polymer clay that best suits our sculpting project is essential for the best results. There are a wide variety of brands available, and each has a different texture and strength. Some are more flexible than others, while others are very brittle. Choosing the right brand of polymer clay depends on the results you want and your budget.

The first thing to consider when choosing the right polymer clay is the level of detail you want to achieve.

If you plan to make a detailed sculpture, then a more flexible type of clay may be the best choice. For example, if we are going to make human figures and even realistic pieces depicting specific people, we will have to spend some time on the details of faces, fingers, etc.

Polymer clay comes in a variety of colors and textures. Some are porous, while others are non-porous. Some clays take a long time to dry, making them ideal for sculpting time-consuming figures.

Some materials that are not very soft or even in pre-cooked shapes can be easier to work with, for example when we are going to create clothes or accessories for the figurines.

STARTING THE MODELING

The first thing to do is to prepare the clay. To soften it, a rolling pin or a rolling machine is usually used first. Then, when it is ready to be kneaded with your hands, you can spread it on a smooth surface, such as a ceramic tile, to make it easier to work with. The polymer clay should be soft, but not too sticky.

The basic techniques involved in clay modeling include rolling, pinching, scratching, poking, cutting and shaping. These techniques can be applied to any type of polymer clay figure.

You will need some tools to prepare the clay, such as a rolling pin or a laminator, spatulas, sandpaper to treat the surface, etc. Also molds and stencils of different shapes will come in handy.

In our guide to modeling polymer clay we explain more details, tips and tricks and tell you about the necessary tools.

CREATE A FRAME

One of the first steps can be to create a structure for our figure. Even before anything else, it is a good idea to first make a sketch on paper to create a rough model.

This frame will stiffen the necessary parts and can help prevent small cracks by keeping certain parts immobile.

It has two functions: To support the part, to help join the different elements and, in the case of thicker parts, to help us save material (using for example aluminum foil).

Also, alternating hollow parts with solid parts can give balance to certain sculptures. An example: sculptures of horses when the animal is raised on its hind legs, especially if they were made of heavy materials such as metal, were made by leaving the upper part of the body hollow and the lower part solid so that it would weigh more and support the work.

For less thick parts such as, in the case of a human figure, the arms and legs. Wire is usually used. The wire you choose to use will determine the stiffness of the figure. For example, copper wire is less rigid than steel wire, while aluminum wire is more flexible.

Most types of wire work well, you have to calculate the thickness, for thinner areas, you will have to use a thinner wire obviously.

Floral thread wires can be very useful.

If we are going to introduce wire over already made pieces, to join them, it may help to make the previous holes with needles that do not bend so easily.

WORKING THE SURFACES

In most cases, it will always be easier to remove any imperfections before cooking.

In some works it will be essential to have smooth surfaces without imperfections, in others, for example, a tree figure that must have roughness, it will not be so much.

Careful surfaces can be important in many types of sculptures and also in other works such as earrings made with polymer clay.

We are going to tell you some tricks to get them.

Applying alcohol:

Some people use isopropyl alcohol. This solvent is an excellent solution for softening parts of sculptures. Since it evaporates quickly, it is best to dilute it with water before applying it to the clay.

It can be used to remove dirt, dust and other debris from polymer clay figures. It should be colorless. It can also be used to remove fingerprints. A cotton swab dipped in alcohol can be used to apply to surfaces.

You can use a smoothing technique, using a flat oil paint brush to rub over the sculpture and smooth it.

Acetone: It is also valid, applying it in the same way as mentioned above.

These liquids will also help us to disguise the small bubbles that may appear on the surfaces once the piece is cooked.

Sanding:

We can correct edges, corners and imperfections with fine grit sandpaper.

Extra coating surfaces with clear polymer clay, such as those sold in liquid form, can create beautiful effects.

PAINTING POLYMER CLAY FIGURES

The next step is to paint the clay figures once fired. Depending on the porosity of the piece and the paint, a first coat of primer may be necessary.

You can use acrylic paint to paint the finished products, but be sure to wait until they are dry before doing so. Although polymer clays are suitable for most paints, acrylics are best. Many artists avoid water-based paints, as it can produce air bubbles in the bake.

In addition to using brushes, another very convenient tool is the airbrush. You can apply a thin layer with it. This will prevent the paint from peeling off. It will be useful to give a soft and gradient effect in the areas of passage between different colors.

You can apply the paint with any method you like, but remember to apply it in layers with different passes. You can even mix different shades of paint to create different shades.

In addition to paint, we can use translucent clay directly on the unpainted layer to obtain a more subdued color or to achieve a more diffused finish.

OTHER WAYS TO USE COLOR

It should be noted that we can buy clays of different colors, so there is no need to paint.

Different clays can be combined with each other. To master color mixing, perhaps it is best to learn how to mix primary colors first. It can be a fun exercise, and the results can be beautiful.

Experimenting with different primary colors and mediums is a great way to improve your blending skills.

You can also add powdered pigments or even shavings of crayons or colored pencils.

In this amazing video you can see how an artist makes a polymer clay sculpture:

EXAMPLES OF POLYMER CLAY FIGURES

We are going to give you a lot of ideas and show you examples so you can find the figure you like.

ANIMALS

Pets, pet portraits, birds.

Also dinosaurs. They work in a realistic way or with other styles such as Kawaii from Japan or with the aesthetics of western animation productions.

They are widely used as decoration for cakes, pastries, etc.

PORTRAIT-FIGURES

Personalized polymer clay figurines are one of today’s most popular handmade gifts. These miniature figurines are not only beautiful, but they are also a unique way to commemorate a special occasion.

They are also made from the pets, of course, although the hair issue will take away from the realism unless we add it from another material.

A very popular custom clay figures are those based on photographs. Seeking maximum resemblance to real people, they are made of clay instead of plaster. This helps make them realistic and unique. However, when selecting a model, it is important to provide a clear full body photo showing the face, hair and clothing. You can even choose to create the figure from more than one photo.

Creating realistic faces is something very special and amazing results can be achieved.

HUMAN FIGURES IN POLYMER CLAY

Full body sculptures with clothing and accessories, such as realistic dolls in period costume can be classic art using modern materials.

Here is an example of the expressiveness and beauty of some faces in polymer clay created by the artist Patrizia Cozzo.
Below are some of their complete figures.
Beautiful work!