Ever Wondered - How Do You Make Sculptures? This Article Tells You How To Sculpt Clay Sculptures

Introduction

If you’ve ever wondered ‘how do you make sculptures’? And you want to dive into the world of sculpting but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you! I’ll walk you through some essential tips to help you get started on your sculpting journey, from choosing the right materials to finding your creative direction.

The Basics

What Type of Clay Should You Use?

When it comes to clay, there are a lot of options out there to sculpt with—oil-based, polymer clay, air-drying clay, and more. As a beginner, it can be tough to know where to start. My advice? Begin with air-drying clay.

Why? It’s softer, more malleable, and much easier to work with compared to other clays. This means you can focus on getting comfortable with the process without being bogged down by frustration. Air-drying clay allows for quicker progress, so you can experiment more and enjoy the creative flow. You also don’t need a kiln to fire the clay as it will set if simply left in the open air.

As you gain more experience and start to push for finer, more intricate details, you’ll likely want to move on to harder clays. These hold fine details much better than softer types, and they’re less prone to losing details while you work. But don’t rush it—start with a clay that lets you focus on broad shapes and expressions. Once you’re comfortable, you can gradually experiment with more detailed work.

What Tools Should I Use?

When I started sculpting many years ago, I didn’t have an arsenal of hundreds of tools. Honestly, I still don’t use most of the ones I’ve collected over the years. The key is starting with the basics and gradually discovering which tools work best for you.
Your hands will always be your most useful sculpting tools (especially in the beginning). That said, a basic sculpting tool set is affordable and will give you just what you need to start. These tools can be easily purchased online and usually include shaping and carving tools that help refine your sculptures as you progress.

Keep in mind that the size of your sculptures will affect the tools you need. For larger sculptures, you’ll want bigger, sturdier tools for shaping. For fine details, smaller tools will give you precision. Over time, you’ll figure out which tools suit your personal style and the scale of your work.

What Subject Should I Sculpt?

The best part about sculpting is that anything is possible. You’ve got a blank canvas (or block of clay, in this case) and can turn it into whatever your imagination dreams up.
That said, when you're just starting out, it’s a good idea to choose something that inspires you but isn’t too complex. Pick a subject that you’re passionate about—it’ll keep you motivated through the learning process. For example, if you’re interested in animals, try starting with one lying down, so you don’t have to worry about building a complicated armature for support.

As you gain confidence and skill, you’ll naturally be able to tackle more challenging projects—like sculpting animals in motion, or creating full-body sculptures that require armatures. But start simple, and let your skills grow alongside your passion!

Conclusion

There are no strict rules when it comes to sculpting—each artist has their own methods, and part of the beauty of this art form is that it’s uniquely yours. While this guide is based on my own experience, I hope it helps point you in the right direction as you start.

The most important advice I can give is: just start. Grab some clay, experiment, and don’t worry if your first pieces aren’t perfect (mine weren’t either).

The more you sculpt, the more you’ll learn, and the better you’ll get. So dive in, make mistakes, refine your technique, and enjoy the process. You never know where your creativity will take you.

Good luck with your sculpting journey—I hope you find as much joy in it as I have!

If you'd like to take a look at my sculpture gallery and sculpting videos, as well as castings of my work available for purchase—whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one—please explore my website mwpstudio.co.uk. I’m sure you’ll find something that sparks your imagination! Thank you for visiting!