Start sculpting in clay
Push, pinch and carve a lump of clay into something that looks back at you. Start with a little owl, then work up to a head. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first sculpture.
Space neededA kitchen table
First projectA little owl in an afternoon
Skill levelBeginner friendly
Good forAny age, busy hands
The video that hooks everyone
Sculpting a head in clay, a timelapse
A timelapse of a small human head modeled in clay, from rough, blocky shapes to a finished face, shaped by hand and with fine tools. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't. It's two kinds of clay, a cheap set of tools and a lazy Susan.
Starter kit
01Air-dry clay, 2 lb.Dries hard on its own. No kiln, no oven. For your owl and the face.
02Oil-based modeling clay, 1 lb.Never dries out, so you can rework it for days. For your first head.
03Sculpting tool setWooden shapers and wire loop tools. A cheap starter set is fine.
04Needle toolDraws fine lines, eye details and feathers.
05Lazy Susan turntableTurn the sculpture instead of walking around it.
06Aluminum armature wire + small wood blockA simple skeleton for your head.
07Small brush + cup of waterSmooths air-dry clay and blends seams.
08Plastic wrap or zip bagsKeeps air-dry clay damp between sessions.
09A hand mirrorYour best face reference is your own.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Adding detail too soonEyes and lips first make a lumpy head. Get the big shapes right, then the medium ones, then details last.
- 2Never turning the sculptureA face that looks right from the front can be flat from the side. Turn it a quarter turn every few minutes.
- 3Drying air-dry clay too fastHeat or sun makes it crack. Let it dry slowly, away from heaters, over a day or two.
