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If you’re a sculpting enthusiast who would like to work on their projects at home, you’ll find it is entirely doable, even if investing in a kiln or other professional supplies is beyond your current budget. So, how do you make a clay sculpture without a kiln?
To make a clay sculpture without a kiln, you’ll have to use a clay type that can harden at lower temperatures and be baked in the oven, like polymer clay or self-drying clay that doesn’t require baking.
In this article, I will walk you through creating a clay sculpture without using a kiln from start to finish. I will discuss the types of clay you can use, what other supplies you will need, how to sculpt and bake your project and share other useful tips and tricks. Check out our collection of art gifts.
While natural clay, also known as ceramic clay, is a preferred type of sculpting material for many, purchasing a kiln to create sculpting projects at home is not an investment everyone would be willing to make.
Thankfully, there are other clay types available, each with its own unique features. If renting a studio or buying your own kiln is not an option, look for clay types that can be used without kiln firing.
Air-dry clay is a type that hardens on its own and doesn’t require firing. However, it only allows you to work on the sculpture for a limited time and is known to crack as it dries. Polymer clay only hardens if fired but can be baked in an oven and doesn’t require a kiln.
Not all clay has to be fired in order to become solid. Various kinds of air-dry clay are available: it doesn’t require kiln baking or any heat treatment as it hardens on its own over time. This clay type is rather popular among beginner sculptors as it is very easy to work with.
Still, air-dry clay has its downsides. The main one is that because this type of clay dries out pretty quickly, it is hard to store and keep in good condition. Not to mention that you are limited in time as you work on your sculpture which can be quite challenging.
Another drawback is that air-dry clay is known to crack as it dries, which can easily ruin your entire project. Overall, I would only recommend using it for small beginner projects without much complexity.
However, air-dry clay is not the only option for sculpting without a kiln. Another clay type you should consider is polymer clay. While it does require baking, the temperature at which it hardens is much lower than that of ceramic clay.
Polymer clay can be baked at 275°F (130°C), so you can use your oven to fire your sculpting projects. This clay type doesn’t share the drawbacks of air-dry clay and is generally your best alternative for ceramics.
Once you get the proper clay for your project, it is time to prepare other essential supplies you’ll need for sculpting. Here’s an approximate checklist of handy things I recommend acquiring to make your work comfortable:
Not all of these are necessary to create a sculpture, but these tools and materials can make your working process much easier and improve the final result.
When it comes to carving and modeling tools, the vast selection available can be overwhelming. If you’re a beginner about to purchase your first set of supplies, I recommend going for cheap but big bundles with a wide variety of tips and shapes.
It is always easier to figure out which tools are the most convenient for you as you work, and practice helps discover the potential of those you probably wouldn’t think could be of much use. Once you’ve found your favorites, you can repurchase them in better quality.
It is also crucial to ensure you have the most comfortable conditions for your working process. Figuring out your perfect workspace is highly individual, but here are some basic tips to help you create the ideal setup.
First, you need a lot of free space to work freely and keep all your materials at hand. They should be easily accessible but not get in the way, so you need a big working surface. It can be a big desk; however, some prefer to work on the floor as it gives more room.
Second, you need to protect the surface from getting dirty. Clay can create a lot of mess, and it is much easier to take precautions from the start than clean everything after. You can use a work mat, a cloth, or a bunch of newspapers to cover the working surface before you start to get creative.
Finally, make sure you have proper lighting in the place where you choose to organize your workspace. Picking a spot by a window is ideal, as that would allow for natural lighting conditions, which are ultimately the best for working with clay.
However, if that’s not an option for you, a lighting setup can be created with the help of lamps you have at home. It helps to get out a bunch of lighting devices and put them around your working surface so that the light comes from different angles and can be easily adjusted to your needs.
Before you begin to sculpt, it is crucial to have a clear idea of what your final project should look like. This is especially important for beginner sculptors, as a thought-through idea is much easier to work on.
Start by creating sketches of your future sculpture. Make a few of them from different angles to get the details as accurately as possible. If you know how to do 3D modeling, use your computer drawing skills to help you create an outline for your project.
A great idea is to gather references for the object you’re working on. Look for books or pictures online for inspiration. Have them at hand as you work: it will be much easier to get the details right if you have more visual references before you.
As you work on your clay sculpture, it really helps to have a framework in place. Clay is heavy and can’t effectively hold itself, especially when you’re going for complex shapes. A support structure perfectly solves the issue and makes the working process much more comfortable.
You can use soft aluminum wire to create any shape your heart desires. The final frame will help your sculpture hold shape as you add layers of clay to it. Moreover, the structure will serve as an outline of your project, making it easier to stick to the right proportions and stay on track.
To secure your aluminum framework in place, use a support stand you can purchase for relatively cheap off of Amazon or your local craft store. You can also figure out a stand yourself out of something you have at home.
If you want the clay to stick better to the metal, use clay adhesive. It will improve the attachment between your wire and clay, reducing the effort required on your part. The adhesive also should be used as you add clay pieces not supported by the aluminum wire: it will help the clay hold and make the seams as smooth as possible.
Before working on your sculpture, ensure your main material is conditioned properly. To make the clay easy to work with and flexible in your hands, you have to first work with it a little and test if it’s wet enough.
Start by kneading the clay for a few minutes to warm it up. This will help the material to bend and adhere better. After kneading it for some time, you will notice the difference this simple step makes to working on your sculpture.
Also, before you begin to shape the clay, check if you need to add more water to it. Take a small piece of the material and roll it into a small flexible stick, then try to bend it. If you see it crack or the material does not appear flexible, add water and try doing the same to see if things improve.
You may find that clay warms up too much as you work, becoming too sticky and hard to work with. The issue can be resolved by putting the material into the fridge for about 10 minutes. That should be enough for it to cool down and return to the proper texture.
Once your materials, supplies, and workspace are prepared, it is time to build the sculpture. The process will be unique for each project, but there are some basic rules and tips to know about.
If you’re following a tutorial, make sure to stick to the instructions given by its author. If you’re a beginner, the best way to learn at first is to recreate the works of others and follow their guidance to figure out your working process and gain practice.
If you’re working on your own idea, it would still help to look up similar projects to navigate the trickier parts of the work. Keep your sketches and references by your side, and look for advice online if you’re unsure about how to handle any part of your project.
The general rule is to go from big to small. It means that you should start with the general outline of the shape, then define it, and finish the sculpture by perfecting the detail.
The first thing you should focus on is creating the general form of your sculpture. Your main goal here is to make an outline for future detailing and build a solid clay figure that holds and follows your desired shape.
There are two possible approaches to choose from. The first one is to cut the shape out from a big chunk of clay. It reduces the seams, creating a solid figure from the start, but it can be hard work, especially if you don’t have much experience yet.
Another way is to add pieces of clay gradually to form the desired shape. This gives you more control but will also require a lot of points of attachment. Clay adhesive can help you better secure the material.
Here you should concentrate on bringing the form you created closer to its finished desired shape. Your general outline should now be turning into clearly defined body parts, animal figures, or whatever it is you’re sculpting. When you’re finished with the step, the sculpture has to already be recognizable but not quite realistic yet.
Finally, it is time to focus on the textures, curves, and small details that make your project a finished sculpture. Here, references are especially important. Take your time while defining the elements of your work, use the tools to work in hard areas, and gradually bring your sculpture to its finished look.
If you’re using polymer clay, your last step will be baking the sculpture in the oven. Typically, the recommendations on baking conditions are specified on the package, so make sure to study them beforehand and stick to them strictly.
On average, manufacturers recommend baking polymer clay at around 275°F (130°C). The time depends on how thick the layer of clay is and should be calculated individually.
Start by preheating the oven to the required temperature. Put your project on a baking sheet covered with baking paper, and make sure to cover the sculpture with foil before putting it into the oven. Bake properly, sticking to the time recommended on the package to ensure your sculpture sets.
If you can’t use a kiln for baking your sculpting projects, look for other clay options that don’t require high temperatures to set, such as self-drying clay or polymer clay.
Start by sketching your project and preparing all materials, then work on the sculpture, starting with big forms and finishing with detailing. Finally, if you’re using polymer clay, bake it in the oven following the recommendations on the package.
