What Art Clay For Beginners?
What is Art Clay?
Art Clay is a type of modeling material containing minute particles of precious metal such as silver or gold. It has a clay-like texture that can be shaped into detailed designs. When fired at high temperatures, the binders in the clay burn away, fusing the metal particles into a solid piece of jewelry or art object.
Art Clay was developed in Japan in 1990 by Aida Chemical Industries Co. Ltd, according to the Art Clay Co. website (https://www.artclay.co.jp/htm/products/history/index.shtml). It provided a revolutionary way for artists and jewelry makers to work with precious metals without extensive training. The original Art Clay Silver product contains a formulation of fine silver particles, binders and water.
There are now many types of Art Clay available, including silver, gold, copper and bronze. Each formulation has specific firing requirements and characteristics. For example, Art Clay Gold must be fired at higher temperatures of 1650°F/900°C to burn away the binders and fuse the gold particles.
Some key properties of Art Clay include its clay-like texture, ability to be shaped and sculpted, and strength and purity after firing. The precious metal content ranges from 96-99% in most types. It’s an extremely versatile material for artists and jewelers to create high quality metal artworks and jewelry.
Benefits of Art Clay
Art clay provides many benefits for both kids and adults. Some key benefits include:
Creative and artistic expression. Art clay allows beginners to easily sculpt and mold the clay into any shape or design they can imagine. It’s a great medium for expressing creativity and exploring their artistic side without needing extensive skills. From Molding Young Minds – 4 Benefits of Creating with Clay.
Making jewelry, sculptures, and other crafts. With art clay, beginners can handcraft their own unique jewelry, miniature sculptures, decorative pieces, and more. It can be shaped, textured, and transformed into diverse creations. As noted in Benefits of Working With Clay, clay stimulates mental creativity.
Fun hobby for all ages. Playing with and sculpting art clay is an engaging hands-on activity for both kids and adults. It can relax the mind while stimulating creative problem solving. People of any age can find satisfaction in crafting with art clay.
Relaxing and therapeutic. Working with art clay has meditative, soothing qualities. Kneading, rolling, and sculpting the clay can lower stress levels and induce calmness. The tactile experience provides therapeutic benefits, especially for active children, as described by Benefits of Working With Clay.
Getting Started with Art Clay
Getting started working with art clay requires gathering a few basic materials and setting up your workspace properly. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
Materials
The essentials for working with art clay include:Art Clay
- Art clay metal clay product (silver, copper, bronze, etc.)
- Clay shaping tools
- Texture materials (rubber stamps, textures plates, etc.)
- Pasta machine or roller for conditioning clay
- Paints and patinas
- Findings for finishing jewelry pieces
Most art clay products and supplies can be purchased online from specialty retailers like Metal Clay Discount Supply or local craft stores.
Safety Equipment
When working with art clay, be sure to use appropriate safety gear including:
- Dust mask – for sanding and filing dried pieces
- Safety glasses – for protecting eyes from debris
- Latex or nitrile gloves – for handling clay containing copper or bronze
- Apron – for protecting clothing from stains
Work Surface Setup
Your work surface should be smooth, sturdy and free of debris. Cover with a disposable surface like parchment paper, plastic or wax paper. Also be sure to have clean water and paper towels handy for smoothing clay. Proper ventilation like a fan or open window can help keep air clear while sanding and finishing.
Working with Art Clay
Once you have your Art Clay prepared, it’s time to start working with it. Here are some key techniques for sculpting and shaping your Art Clay creations:
Conditioning the clay is an important first step. Knead the Art Clay until it is smooth and pliable, adding a few drops of water if it is too dry. This removes any air bubbles and makes the clay easier to work with (Source).
There are many different sculpting techniques you can use with Art Clay. Try rolling coils and attaching them to build up a form. Use your fingers to smooth and blend the clay. Cut out basic shapes with cookie cutters or craft punches. Add textures by pressing items into the soft clay (Source).
Molds provide an easy way to achieve consistent shapes with Art Clay. Press the conditioned clay firmly into the mold to pick up all of the details. Let the clay harden slightly before removing it from the mold. Clean the mold after each use.
There are endless options for adding decorative textures to your Art Clay pieces. Roll the clay out and emboss it with rubber stamps. Use textured items like lace to imprint patterns. Try pressing coins, shells, leaves, or other objects gently into the clay’s surface.
Baking Art Clay Creations
Proper baking is essential for curing and hardening art clay pieces. Baking instructions vary based on the type of art clay:
For air-dry clays like Hearty Clay, baking is optional and pieces will harden at room temperature over 24-48 hours. Baking at 200°F for 10 minutes will speed up the drying process. Source
Oven-bake clays like Original Sculpey require baking in a preheated 275°F oven for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness to fully cure. Source
For kiln-bake clays like Pardo and ArtClay, follow manufacturer instructions for ramp speeds and target temperatures – usually around 1650°F. A kiln provides more even heating than an oven. Source
Other baking tips:
- Avoid over-baking as it can scorch the clay
- Let pieces cool completely before handling to prevent fingerprints and dents
- Use an oven thermometer to verify temperature
- Bake pieces on a ceramic tile or baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Adding Color
There are a few main options for adding color to baked polymer clay creations. Some popular choices include using high quality acrylic paints made for clay, alcohol inks, and metallic foils.
When choosing paints, aim for professional brands formulated specifically for baked polymer clay like Faber-Castell Clay Paint. Standard acrylic craft paints may work, but often crack or peel off cured clay. The clay paints are flexible, permanent, and provide vibrant color.
Alcohol inks are another great coloring option as they sink right into the clay and won’t peel off. They provide a transparent stained-glass effect. Apply the inks directly to baked creations using a brush or eyedropper. The inks will spread out, blend, and create cool patterns.
For shiny metallic accents, apply specialty clay foils. Rub the foil sheets onto baked clay then peel off the backing to reveal the foil layer adhered to the surface. Gold, silver, copper and multi-color foils can add a lot of pop.
Finishing Techniques
There are a few key finishing techniques to give your art clay creations a professional polished look. Polishing, sealing, and adding findings can take your art clay from good to great!
Polishing art clay helps smooth any rough edges and gives pieces a glossy finished look. Start by sanding clay creations once they are fired and cooled. Use a fine grit sandpaper and sand in a circular motion. Then buff the surface using a soft cloth or polishing compound to create a glossy shine 1.
Sealing art clay is important for protecting the surface, especially if you have painted or added color. Polyurethane is commonly used to seal and add a protective layer. Apply 2-3 thin coats with a brush and allow drying in between coats for best results.
For art clay jewelry, findings like clasps, jump rings, and earring posts can be attached after firing using a strong adhesive like E6000. Make sure pieces are fully cured before gluing on any findings.
Project Ideas for Beginners
Art clay is perfect for beginners because it allows you to easily create small projects without any complex tools or equipment. Here are some simple yet fun art clay projects to try as a beginner:
Jewelry pendants are one of the most popular beginner art clay projects. You can make simple pendants out of art clay in different shapes like hearts, stars, leaves, animals and more. Let your pendants dry, add a jump ring, and turn them into necklaces or keychains. For inspiration, check out this step-by-step guide for making clay pendants: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-make-clay-pendants-4122839
Small sculptures are another fun way to get started with art clay. Make 3D animals, flowers, abstract shapes, or anything else you can imagine in miniature form. Sculptures can be made solid or hollow. Allow your sculptures to fully dry and harden before painting and sealing them. Here’s a guide to sculpting miniatures with clay: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-sculp
Troubleshooting Art Clay Issues
When working with art clay, you may encounter some common issues like cracking, bubbling, discoloration, or brittleness. Here are some tips for troubleshooting these problems:
If your art clay piece cracks during drying or firing, it usually means the clay was too thin or was dried too quickly. Allow pieces to dry slowly at room temperature. For future projects, condition the clay properly and avoid rolling too thin (1-3mm is recommended for most items).
Bubbles or air pockets can occur if the clay is not kneaded thoroughly before use. Take care to condition and knead the clay until it becomes soft and pliable. Using a roller or acrylic rod, press firmly on the surface to pop any bubbles before drying and firing.
Discoloration after firing is often due to impurities or contamination. Ensure tools and surfaces are clean before working with the clay. Do not allow the clay to come into contact with water after conditioning. Impurities can cause dark spots or streaks.
If your finished piece feels brittle, it may be undercooked. Check the firing schedule and extend baking times slightly. The clay requires sufficient heat to fully cure and become strong.
For more troubleshooting advice, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or contact a local art clay supplier. Useful references include: http://www.artclayworld.com/v/vspfiles/assets/ProductInstructions/PrometheusClayTroubleshooting.pdf
Expert Art Clay Tips
Art clay artists have developed many helpful tips over the years for working with this unique medium. Here are some expert recommendations for storing, handling, and sculpting with art clay:
Storing unused clay properly is important to keep it workable. Clays like polymer and air-dry clay will dry out quickly when exposed to air. To store unused clay:
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container or ziplock bag.
- For longer storage, consider double wrapping in plastic wrap then foil.
- Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent drying out.
- Store clay in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Prevent fingerprints and smudges by dusting work surface and hands lightly with cornstarch or baby powder before sculpting. The powder will absorb surface oils from skin contact with the clay.1
If clay dries out, rehydrate by kneading in a few drops of water until pliable again. Keep clay sealed immediately afterwards so it doesn’t dry out again.2
For precision sculpting and detailing, specialized art clay tools like rubber shapers, loop tools, and clay cutters will give best results. Wet tools periodically for smoother surface contact.
