Sculpting with AIR DRY vs. POLYMER clay : PROs and CONs explained

I’ll give you my take on 2 of the most popular and easy to use clays.
To show you the PROs and CONs of each of these, I’m going to sculpt 2 identical sculptures - one in polymer clay and one in air dry clay.

0:00 - Two Popular Brands of Clay
0:21 - Preparing the Armatures for Sculpting
0:36 - Air Drying Clay Basics (JOVI)
1:13 - Using Water to Smooth Air Dry Clay
1:33 - Polymer Clay Basics (Sculpey Premo)
1:55 - Polymer Clay will never Dry Out
2:43 - Sculpting Details and Textures in Polymer Clay
2:56 - Sculpting Texture Through Sheet of Plastic / Clingwrap
3:53 - How and Why to Pre-Baking Polymer Clay
4:25 - Using Isopropyl Alcohol to Smooth Polymer Clay
4:42 - What is the Difference Between Air Dry Clay and Polymer Clay?
4:53 - Air Dry Clay PRO's and CON's
5:19 - Polymer Clay PRO's and CON's

I’ve prepared 2 identical armatures. If you want to see how I build my armatures you can check out this video:

Make sure you stick around to the end of the video to see the final result of each sculpture, and the surprising differences!

MATERIALS USED:

SCULPTING TOOLS

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#SculptingTutorial #Jovi #SuperSculpey

[MilaRose]

To help strengthen airdry clay, add white glue/wood glue to it, as well as mixing a bit of it with water to smooth will help strengthen it a lot more.

[franzrogar]

This video suffers from a HUGE base problem: you're comparing PROFESSIONAL polymer clay against STUDENT air-dry clay. I suggest you to try "La Doll" clay (air-dry), which is a "stone" clay and a professional one. You can try the normal (soft) or the "premium" (harder, more white) one. This is because I've work with both types of clay (professional clay) and for sculptures my favorite, without a doubt, it's the air-dry "La Doll", as I can do many things you can't with the polymer one (for example, you can knife it in parts and merge them again in a different composition just using water and a bit of clay to have a "perfect" bond, whereas with polymer clay you have to use chemical glues that, seriously, most of the time make a weak joint). And the final sculpture weight, oh the weight!

[TheBullterrierFan]

The secret for not cracking air dry clay like DAS is making the scultpure in few layers. As long as the main layer's not thick, u just wait 10-30 mins and after it gets a bit lighter (colour), u can add another one. DAS is the best air dry clay that I've worked with so far. It's not expensive, and gives a lot of fun. I'd like to try Super Sculpey in the future, but it's still pretty much expensive.

[luci_annihilates]

This is just the info i needed. I have been trying to use air drying clay for medium and small and intricate pieces and its very messy and difficult to use in this way. once i get a turn table ill use my air drying clay for that. but it seems that polymer clay is ideal for what im trying to do at the moment. esp because im just now learning how to sculpt and im very slow. i can spend hours on a project with air drying clay, but if i am not done im kinda screwed because its too difficult to keep the clay from drying without messing up my progress.

[serenityjewel]

Air dry clay is wonderful to work with, and doesn't have the issues your project had, if you get decent clay. You're using cheap air dry clay that's meant for children to play with.

[design]

I'd love to see a video comparing the different polymer clays and the why you like (or dislike) the different brands.

[JadeValour]

Thank you Sofia, great to see you at work again! I like the idea of using plastic over the polymer clay to get softer lines. I might even try that with my own work. Jxxx

[Night-Spawn]

nice vid, you can also use mineral oil and baby oil to smooth polymer clay

[richardlionheart]

A very good and timely video. I have a few projects coming up that have clay elements and this video has helped me decide which type I will use with each.. Thanks :)

[lillianroself]

Finally YouTube suggestions is suggesting videos I would WANT😂
AND WHAT A WONDERFUL VIDEO THIS WAS. Very informative and helpful, thanks for making and sharing this. 😊

[missyshell_mishell]

So happy to see you sculpt a snail! I bought both kinds of clay specifically to try my hand at sculpting a snail for my aquarium which is filled with mystery snails. 🥰 Great video and tips!

[tornelysian]

Happy to see another great video from you. So helpful for a clay novice 😊

[BlackCat_]

Very interesting. I have primarily used only polymer clay but I am looking at making larger size wall art that will be too big for any oven I have so I have considered air dry clay for these larger dimension pieces. I need to find the best clay though that is pro quality as I will be selling the artwork. - Heidi P.S. Just subscribed.

[sofalvarez]

I suggest adding to the polymer cons the price, ha

[harikaakbaba]

Loved seeing a video from you! The snail is so cute 🐌 very interesting how it’s made x

[andreojuegosyestrategia]

Thanks for the vid.
Do you think air dry clay will do fine over the years as a sculpture piece of art?

[jedigoddess]

Great video, super informative, thank you!!

[esmakurt]

She’s using tricks on the polymer one but not on the air dry clay. How is it fairly tested?

[x]

One thing I will say is that just because polymer clay doesn't dry doesn't mean it won't stiffen. So, assuming you DID come back to it a month later it's likely to have cracked before you bake it, its fixable but a pain in the ass.

[jude_of_alltrades]

thanks, Very useful video

I do have a question or two

you said that polymer clay never dries, does that mean that after you bake it it is still movable and workable and soft?

Can you make a sculpture that is permanent and lasting with polymer clay?

Does polymer clay take painting well? Compared to air dry clay?

I know that air dry clay is more durable if you add white glue
& At least one source says to paint it with primer and then paint

Is polymer clay as easy to paint? Do you need primer?

I've always sculpted with kiln fired clay but I don't have a kiln and I have difficulty getting my things fired so I would like to try sculpting some things with one of these clays