You can blend polymer clay like paint to form new colors.
Polymer clay is a versatile form of craft clay. It is highly pliable, comes in many colors and does not dry out when left in open air. However, it is possible to fire it at relatively low temperatures to harden it -- creating durable animal sculptures that you can use as room decorations or Christmas ornaments.
Instructions
1. Roll a ball of polymer clay to create the body of an animal. For some animals, you may need to press the ball into a different shape than a sphere. For example, a dachshund sculpture would need a longer body.
2. Roll another ball to create the animal's head, and press it onto the body. Roll a piece of clay into a long, thin cylinder with rounded ends. Break pieces off the cylinder, and press them onto the body to form limbs.
3. Smooth the transitions between different pieces with your fingers.
Roll additional small balls or cylinders, and press them into different shapes to form the animal's features -- such as a nose, beak, mane or tail. To create spots, roll small balls, press them flat and smooth them onto the surface of the body. Use a knife to form lines or grooves, such as a mouth. Poke the clay gently with a toothpick to create nostrils or textured surfaces.
4. Bake your sculpture in an oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit to harden it. Baking time will vary based on the size of the sculpture. Small sculptures up to 1/2 inch thick will harden completely in 30 to 45 minutes, while larger sculptures may take hours to harden fully. For most sculptures, it is sufficient to allow a hard outer shell to form, since polymer clay will remain stable even if it is not fired all the way through.
