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PAINTING WORLD MAGAZINE
• ¼” Painter’s tape • Paint cubby
• Sponge pouncer or make-up sponge (for stenciling) • Aluminum foil
• Flat smooth work surface such as a craft mat or smooth ceramic tile • Craft knife
• Toothpicks
• White glue
• E6000 or similar strong glue • Serrated kitchen knife • Ruler • Drill
CLAY NOTES: Polyform® Model Air Porcelain Clay is watersoluble air-dry clay. It is very light and easy to manipulate. It has a soft texture like marshmallow or fondant.
FIG 1
in palms or on your work surface. Locate flat part of ball and press onto work surface to flatten. Insert toothpick halfway into opposite end of ball (neck area). Roll a 1/8” ball of clay and press onto toothpick at base of head for neck. Use Rubber Tip Shaper to blend top of neck into head. Use wet paint brush to smooth clay as needed. Nose:
Cover unused clay tightly with plastic wrap. It’s a good idea to keep a wet shop towel handy to keep hands, tools, and work surfaces clean as you work.
Roll a 1/16” ball of clay and press onto center of face. Use the Rubber Tip Shaper to blend top of nose into the wet clay then use a wet paintbrush to smooth.
The clay will begin to dry out if you overwork it or expose it to air for too long. If that happens knead a few drops of water into it.
Eyes:
Use water on fingers or a paint brush to smooth clay as needed. If too much water is used the clay will become mushy and stick to your hands and tools. Set it aside for a few minutes or knead it until it comes UNCLE SAM: Sam’s head:
Use serrated knife to cut a small slice off the Styrofoam ball to make a flat side for hat to rest on. Pinch off a 1” ball of clay and roll out into a sheet of clay approximately 1/8” thick (insert Fig. #1). Use Super Slicer to lift clay sheet. Press clay sheet onto flat part of ball. Systematically press clay and cover the entire ball pushing out air pockets as you work. Pleat and remove excess clay with craft knife. Smooth clay by gently rolling JUNE 2020 ISSUE
Use the large end of the ball stylus to make indentations where eyes will sit. Roll two tiny balls of clay for eyes and gently press into the indentations. Roll two pieces of clay the size of rice for eyebrows and attach above eyes. Ears:
Roll a 1/16” ball of clay then cut in half. Place the flat side of the ear onto the side of the face. Use the stylus to indent the front of the ear. Repeat for the other ear. Mustache: Roll a 1/16” ball of clay into a 1” log. Gently taper ends of log then place the log under the nose. Use the edge of the Rubber Tip Shaper to indent the center of the mustache. Use your fingers to carefully shape the ends of the mustache as desired.
