You can make an elaborate clay horse.
Sculpting with clay is an enjoyable hobby for some and a serious artistic pursuit for others. The medium is flexible and can be undertaken by anyone without having to put out a great deal of money to get started. For animal lovers, or horse lovers in particular, clay horse models are ideal subject matter. Making a realistic horse out of clay may take practice, but with patience, you can turn your clay into horse sculptures you'll be happy to display.
Instructions
1. Divide your clay into sections. How much clay you need will depend upon how large a sculpture you want to make. Take one section of the clay and form the body of your horse with your hands, using thumbs and fingers to shape it. Work the clay outward on the right side to begin forming the neck of the horse. When you've finished this section, you should have a rough representation of the horse's body and neck.
2. Roll four pieces of clay into legs. Set these aside and take another piece of clay to form the shape of your horse's head and ears. This will be a rough representation you can refine when you have all the sections of your horse together. Take a third piece of clay and work it with your fingers to form the rough shape of a flowing tail.
3. Put your rough model together by pressing the legs to the body and attaching the head to the neck on the body. Dip your finger into water and dampen the areas where you attach the horse's parts to create a smooth fusion that will help hold everything together.
4. Refine your sculpture using a clay wire tool. Lay this tool lightly against your clay sculpture and drag it across the clay, peeling away thin layers of the clay to remove the rough edges. Look at a photo to keep the lines of the horse in the forefront of your mind as you shape your sculpture.
5. Add details with a thin-tipped sculpting tool. Draw the horse's mane onto the horse with the end of this tool or add thin strips of clay to give the mane some dimension. Use the tip of the tool to etch in the lines of the flank, the nostrils and the eyes.
6. Bake your finished sculpture in an oven. Place the horse on its side so you don't damage the legs. Set it on a baking sheet and set the oven at around 215 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake about 30 minutes for each 1/4 inch of thickness. Cool the finish sculpture, and paint it with acrylic paints.
