AIR DRY Clay TIPS: Sculpting For Beginners

Learn how to use AIR DRY CLAY in this Step by Step Tutorial. Includes troubleshooting and how to prevent / repair cracks.
-------------------------------------------
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
0:12 - What is Air Dry Clay?
0:35 - How to Build an Armature
1:02 - Different Brands of Air Dry Clay
1:59 - Sculpting Tools for Beginners
3:57 - Sculpting Techniques
5:19 - How to Prevent Cracking?
7:28 - How to Fix Cracks in Air Dry Clay
7:53 - Drying your Air Dry Sculpture
8:39 - Sanding your Air Dry Sculpture
9:25 - Painting your Air Dry Sculpture
10:03 - Final Sculpture

-------------------------------------------
Different Brands of Air Dry Clay:

One of the best brands of Air Dry Clay, whilst also being very affordable. DAS clay has tiny paper fibres in it, creating an internal bond which makes for a strong sculpture.

Probably the air dry clay on the market, used by many doll makers as it's especially good for fine details. The only downside I’ve found is that it is difficult to find in some parts of the world, including Europe.

Soft and smooth. Generally easy to work with, though harder to achieve a high level of details. Very Cheap.

Extremely lightweight and soft. This particular type of Air Dry Clay can be dried in the MICROWAVE.

-------------------------------------------
More videos using air dry clay:

-------------------------------------------
INSTAGRAM: @sofiabue

-------------------------------------------
Suggested materials for starting out:

Baking Paper
Tinfoil
Aluminium Armature Wire:
Sculpting tools:
Sandpaper

The above product links are affiliated - that means if you purchase anything via one of these links, Amazon will pay me a small commission. It won’t cost you anything extra but it's a huge help for me and my channel :) I’ll only ever provide links to products I use myself and can stand by.

#tutorial #DASclay #LearnToSculpt

[SwaysTavern]

Me: (taking notes) 😅 Omg I really need to try the SLIP thing. Funny enough I forgot the aluminum foil but I did get wire 🤣 I got a quick question...I don't have a drill to twist the wire so can I still use it as is? Like maybe doubling the wire and using masking tape so the wires stay together? Or will using the tape be an issue when covering it with clay? Omg I said 1 question and I think I threw 3 in here. 🤣

[nsuarez]

A tip from my own experience; when the clay is completely dry, give it a coat of white wood glue. The glue is water based so it soaks in the surface and makes it very hard. Then you can paint it. Hope this helps people out there!

[larryleehensel]

This is one of the most helpful tutorials I have ever seen. She's so easy to understand--clear directions, no extra chit-chat. She also has EXCELLENT tips that would work with other art projects.

[kanishk]

You aren’t just an artist… you’re also a therapist. Inspiring video.

[shawnkarg]

Until recently, I never had any commercially made sculpting tools. I just used things around the house, like paper clips, sewing needles, toothpicks, the sky is the limit.

[ltlbuddha]

I haven't used paper clay very much, so the tip to use slip is awesome! As is the drying method, I've just repaired cracks in the past, so learning how to avoid them is cool.
My own, small, tips are:
When I store my open DAS, I put a wet ball of paper towel in the bag before I seal it to help keep the clay hydrated.
And I use cheap dental tools for sculpting detail. I find them much better for precise control than tools made specifically for sculpting and they are cheap on Amazon. And they work well for any clay.

[AVspectre]

This is EXACTLY the video I needed! I’ve been worried about messing up with my air dry clay (low humidity local) and lamenting my lack of sculpting tools. Thanks for this real gift of a video!

[foniweez]

I used to use clay more but I slowly gave up, because I had difficulties such us cracks and awful drying methods, which took a lot of my time. I got also tired of seeing my leftover clay dried out after some weeks. I didnt try searching anything, until your video popped up. It's short and very simple!You solved all my problems perfectly! Thank you so much!Can't wait to start again!:)

[The_Real_Mier]

Thank you for your helpful tips! I just missed a little warning about clay dust (when sanding).
Clay dust is very toxic and should be cleaned up properly and quickly, before it affects the air quality in your room.

Also a tip from me: the grilling tray (=grill grate?) in my household is used too often for me to take for drying my clay projects.
I have made something similar by taping wooden sticks (like popsicles) on a flat piece of wood.
That way the air can come under the piece too, while everybody else is happy in the kitchen! ;))

[zayananimates]

The slip tip has got to be the most genius air dry clay idea ever, thank you Sofia 👍🏻🙏🏻

[domanickthompson]

Sandpaper on the popsicles stick blew my mind, next level unlocked!

[АндрейВолосковец]

I am literally crying because of how sincere you are.

[violetavakian]

Thanks for sharing, nice tips the idea of the sanding the small and narrow areas was so cool thank you

[cloverchung]

Truly appreciate how selfless you are in sharing all the tips and hidden techniques on clay sculpting. THANK YOU💗

[MiniVR_Official]

This channel is I underrated she knows how to make a good understandable tutorial she says helpful things thus far this is the only channel I know that does this thank you 😊

[entertherealmofchaos]

Exactly the info I'm looking for👌

[ProjectPlayDioramas]

gluing a piece of sandpaper to a tip of a stick was my favorite! thanks for this video!

[josephstocks]

Absolutely loved this video. You've seriously got some skills at communicating with your audience. I can't wait to start my next project with this knew knowledge that Ive learned. Thanks!! Have a wonderful day!!

[phoenixhouse]

Didn't know about slip; thank you!

[kenpish]

Jut bought jovi clay since i want to learn how to sculpt. I saw many videos but none explain it like you did. Thank You so much. Now i can start to work with the clay. Since i bought them i've been afraid to see but again after watching your video. Yessss i will start tomorrow. Thanks Again.