My First Clay Creation
My first clay creation was with paper clay. The only reference, I have was by viewing videos from youtube and instruction from website. The advantage of using paper clay are listed below.
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It’s light and only need water to ply – recommend buying a water sprayer.
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Don’t need to bake using oven just air dry it
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You can paint on top of it when it’s dry
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You can sandpaper to smoothen the dried clay surface.
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You can cut off unwanted corners after the clay is dried.
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Will break when force is applied even when dried – handle with care.
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You can append/patch broken paperclay even after when it’s sealed with gloss, all you need to do is to cut out and sand paper the surface of the join, and reattach new clay on top of it.
It is also the cheapest form of clay – I decided to start with this knowing that I can apply the skill for polymer clay much later. Back then, I’ve not invested on the clay machine and oven yet.
Back then my lab was only limited to this few stencils and tool below.
I wasn’t even thinking of what to make that day. I just channel my inner feelings towards that object and my hands started molding something abstract. From the experience I gathered from my first try of plying this clay.
- This clay is doesn’t stand well, you will need extra help and interior skeleton to support it. Like wire or toothpicks works well.
- It was frustrating at first few tries, I fumbled and broke the some pieces a few times – but after a while, you get the feel of it.
- Best to make something with solid base, large base bottom, small portion above. (take a look at my dragon astral below, it has large base because it is lying flat on the ground)
- Different part of the body can be made separately and dry first then later, patch and connect them.
- Need a good tray/something with smooth glossy surface to hold the paperclay because once, its dry you are going to have hard time peeling off the clay from the tray surface.
- You have to seal the remaining unused paperclay once used. Use a airtight bags or container otherwise it will dry up.
- Sandpapering the clay gives you a very satisfying feeling once everything is done in order. Is like the finishing touch prior to painting and sealing!
After an hour of playing with it finally, I decided – I’m gonna make a dragon and there you go, my first attempt in clay stuff – Dragon Astral.
Nothing professional but, it does gives me the feeling of satisfaction once I completed the entire process. Most importantly, this very own passion of mine – teaches me how to stay calm and control own frustration.
Note :- To view my full set of clay work I did – view it in my flickr set gallery page – here.