A model for any project can be approached in many ways, though the most effective may be to make the model out of clay. This is because clay can be molded without tools, and is relatively easy to manipulate. Modeling tools can be used if you choose, though a more simple shape like a dodo bird can also be sculpted using household items like toothpicks, a butter knife and an old pencil. Whichever tools you decide to use, clay from an art supply store will be most responsive and easy to work with.
Instructions
1. Put down the wax paper, completely covering your workspace. Tape down the edges of the paper.
2. Separate a section of clay as large as you want the body of the dodo to be. Roll this piece into an even sphere, then roll back and forth on one side to form an oval shape.
3. Pull one of the points of the oval gently upwards and back to form the neck. Set this piece aside, but upright so the sides do not flatten under the weight.
4. Separate a second piece of clay, approximately 1/5 to 1/6 the size of the body. Roll this piece into a sphere as well. This piece will form the head.
5. Separate a third piece of clay slightly larger than the piece used for the head. Pull this piece into the beak shape, rounding the front into the point of the beak.
6. Pull two final pieces of clay from the main block and form these into the feet. If your dodo model is so large that the feet may not hold the weight of the piece, mold the legs so they double over into a sitting position. This will help to keep the model stable.
7. Score diagonal lines onto the back of the beak piece with a toothpick. Do the same to the front of the head. Gently press the two together, then blend the beak into the head by dragging the sides of the beak up onto the head. Smooth the edges until they sit flat. If your beak is too heavy to stay attached, break a toothpick in half and insert one half into the beak, and the other into the head.
8. Score the top of the neck and the bottom of the head in the same way, then attach the two by blending the edges together. Use a toothpick inside the neck and head if needed to brace this joint as well.
9. Score the bottom of the body and the top of the legs, then attach these using the blending method. If the model is crushing the legs because it is too heavy, wait until the legs are partially dry to attach the model.
10. Use a toothpick or sculpting tool to engrave the details on the head and body, including the eyes, beak details, bumps on the legs and feathers. You can be as detailed as you choose.
11. Let the model dry and harden completely. Paint the model if desired.
