How to Build Animals with Clay: A Panderfly

Hello Sculptor folk! Welcome to a tutorial on how to construct a lightweight mutant animal with clay. I will show you how to use newspaper as an inner armature and how to build with basic shapes. You’ll see how I use a range of tools to create a smooth, clean style and the steps I take to secure precarious additions to my form. Ceramic sculpture + fantasy creatures = SO MUCH FUN! Come along with me and see how I build a Panderfly (panda + tiger + butterfly, oh my!).
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Music:
Release Yo Gurt by:GurtyBeats
/ 000-bc-instrumental-by...
Frontier by Syntheticmotion
/ frontier
Quick Beat #2 by: King
/ quick-beat-2
#CeramicSculpture #ClayAnimal #ClayTechniques

[@brendaburgess9556]

Your use of newspaper to build forms was inspired and well described.

[@fixitfelix8807]

Yeah this is my kind of stuff. Pots is easy.... This is what I need. Please add more of these....

[@MissLinneaLark]

Thanks Felix! I should have the next video out soon, where I glaze the Panderfly

[@thedodecahedron]

This was so excellent and inspiring! Thank you so much for the lesson. Great figure too!

[@nancyleedunn]

I can tell you are a teacher. Your tutorials anticipate questions and confusions!! Thank you!

[@MissLinneaLark]

Thanks Nancy! LOL, this was the first time I had used or taught this method and so I felt like I was constantly looking for problems to anticipate! It felt like exploratory sculpture.

[@colleeneckles9285]

This is a awesome lesson for my ceramics class - you covered everything quickly and thoroughly. Thank you from a fellow art teacher in Arizona

[@lucyjoinesceramics1563]

Great sculpture building & I love the finish piece 🙌

[@constancegabrielli1025]

So much fun! Please do more!

[@amykrenzer4646]

Would love to see the finished piece.

[@MissLinneaLark]

Amy Krenzer thanks! I am super excited to finish it, but it is taking quite awhile. You can see parts of it in the background of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/robKdICDo9Rpftk

[@lindatortorice9356]

Thank you for the animal lesson. Great information. I’m looking to learn how to make frogs.

[@MissLinneaLark]

You are so welcome! This technique should work great for frogs!

[@Syuzhette]

This is great! Just what I have been looking for. Beautiful work, full of well illustrated practical tips, simply, clearly explained. More please!!!

[@Lauragld]

Wonderful video....so generous and inspiring ❤️

[@pndartclub5960]

We decided to try this method for our smaller figures before moving to larger busts. They turned out great!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial. I will send you the results after we glaze fire them:)

[@MissLinneaLark]

YAY! Yes! Please DM me pics on Instagram! I’m so glad you guys loved the process. 🤩

[@ayh1110]

Amazing tutorial ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@alyssasmith4515]

Hey thank you for sharing!! I learned a lot and I think that your Panderfly is super cool

[@MissLinneaLark]

Thanks Alyssa! It really means a lot to me

[@clayeasy]

Great video and tutorial!

[@julievoit370]

Fantastic! You’re really helping me learn. Can you tell me more about the box you kept it in while taking breaks? I need some boxes like that.

[@Susanjones1978]

This is beautiful… would you not use wax resist on the butterfly wings to stop them drying out quicker than the rest of the body? Asking as it’s something I had been shown when I made a dragon and used for the long spikes.

[@MissLinneaLark]

Hi Tracy, yes, wax is i great idea!

[@jorisArt]

So great! Thanks!

[@hazelclark4014]

Such a cute sculpture and very informative 😍

[@MissLinneaLark]

YAY! Thank you so much

[@andreaskonig3767]

Do we get to see the final panda fly? Would be nice to see. Btw I am using my hubby's account. Rita here.

[@MissLinneaLark]

Hi Rita 💕 there’s a pic of the finished piece of my Instagram. I haven’t had the time to edit the video yet, but it’s coming!

[@margkruzel9104]

Yes😊. Your videos are helpful. But also nice to remind me to get going and get busy working on my own projects. Also what happens to the paper. Does it just burn off in the kiln? It doesn’t create a mess?

[@MissLinneaLark]

Marg Kruzel it burns into ash. It does leave a bit of a mess but it’s easy to wipe up.

[@margkruzel9104]

Miss Linnea Lark thank you

[@margkruzel9104]

Love this video. Inspirational!!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

Marg Kruzel thank you so very much. Your feedback is very much appreciated. Sometimes I wonder if my videos are helpful. 😁

[@chingwu5875]

Love it. 😍😍👏👏👏

[@ashleymhills3968]

This is absolutely magnificent, the mash up and smoothness is 🥰🥰🥰 color me inspired!!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

AshleyM Hills oh my goodness, thank you Ashley! Any ideas how I could glaze it? 😂

[@ashleymhills3968]

Miss Linnea Lark lol of courseeee!! Ooo glaze.... do you mean color/pattern ideas? Because if so DON’T GET ME STARTED OKAY? ✨✨✨ lol. If you mean the logistics of glazes... 😅😂

[@MissLinneaLark]

AshleyM Hills lol, not logistics. Hahah colors, designs, anything! I’ve been playing with the idea of only using 1 color?? Maybe realistic colors? Any ideas would be great! Thanks Ashley.

[@ashleymhills3968]

Miss Linnea Lark well let me tell you, animal mash ups happen to be my weakness. Lemme mull it over and maybe message a couple ideas on ig? 😁

[@MissLinneaLark]

AshleyM Hills perfect! Thanks

[@NateFK]

Hello I was wondering if you fired the piece with the newspaper still inside or did you remove the newspaper?

[@MissLinneaLark]

I leave it in. Ash will fall out after and it makes for a smelly firing, but is totally fine.

[@denavess732]

It burns in firing no need remove.

[@Eureka222-sy5ds]

Sorry about my question, I know nothing about sculpture. ¿The news paper will remain inside? Thanks

[@MissLinneaLark]

No worries 😂, seems like everyone had the same question. I explain at the start of the glazing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6DCoItond5ne8U

[@microdose1175]

Love the tutorial! Do you leave a hole for the ash to fall out after you fire? Thanks!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

That’s exactly what I do. It will be shown in part 2, which I am currently editing 😎

[@NeciaCollotzi]

do you leave the paper in while firing?

[@MissLinneaLark]

I did… but it’s best for your kiln if you take it out.

[@sandraparente3962]

Does the newspaper stay in when you fire it?

[@MissLinneaLark]

The next video goes deeper into it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6DCoItond5ne8Usi=w0PP1KAujrYCG3XV

[@loriwinterbottom-guntzel3149]

I am wondering if you fired it with the newspaper inside and if so did your kiln have good ventilation? If this were a class set it could get really smokey but I live this method for teaching high school sculpting!

[@MissLinneaLark]

Lori Guntzel I do fire them with the newspaper inside and my kiln is in my classroom. It has never set off the fire alarm and I often have multiple animals in the kiln at once. I regularly do long bisque firings over the weekend because, while my kiln does has a small ventilator, it still smells, regardless of paper or no paper, every time I fire.

[@loriwinterbottom-guntzel3149]

@@MissLinneaLark ok good to know - thank you!

[@cobylyons4439]

@@loriwinterbottom-guntzel3149 FYI, if you own the kiln, it's better to remove the paper as the carbon build-up will shorten the life your coils - which are expensive to replace.

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@loriwinterbottom-guntzel3149 I also just remembered that years ago everything set off my fire alarm, even without any paper in the kiln. Apparently the dust was settling over them and causing them to go off. This is prolly cause my room is a double wide portable and there is not much we can do to eliminate the dust build up in the ceilings. So our school had an alarm put in that monitors rapid heat increase instead of smoke. Now it doesn't go off from smoke and it has really worked for us! We also have a ventilator that sucks out most of the smoke.

[@elliecole6487]

Thanks for the video! Im going to be rewatching this multiple times and use the same method to create some small sculptures. I was wondering if you have any advice on using grogged clay for sculptures? If not, no worries at all! I hope you are well and thanks again!

[@MissLinneaLark]

I love clay with grog, especially for sculptures! It keeps the clay strong and mailable. The major hang up is if you want a smooth surface, grog makes it that much harder. My biggest tip is to rely very little on a sponge for smoothing. The sponge will wipe away the clay but leave all the grog behind, resulting in a rough surface. Instead, while your clay is on the wet side of leather hard, use a rib to compress the walls. This will smooth the surface & compress the grog deep down. Good luck! Would love to see your sculptures when you finish!

[@elliecole6487]

@@MissLinneaLark thanks for the advice! I didn’t even realize that was happening when I was using the sponge. I will definitely share my creation once it’s presentable. The studio I fire at said they do not want to fire my piece because of the newspaper. Are there any alternate internal supports that can be used? No problem if you don’t have time to answer as I’m asking a lot! Thanks again!

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@elliecole6487 if you watch this video I explain options, good luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6DCoItond5ne8U

[@elliecole6487]

@@MissLinneaLark not sure how I missed that info right in the start of the video lol! Thanks again!!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@elliecole6487 of course! Good luck 👍🏻

[@elyn2189]

Hey, amazing work!💞 Which clay do you use?🤔

[@MissLinneaLark]

Hi Elyn, it’s called Spirit White, it’s a low fire earthenware. It doesn’t have a lot of grit so it’s difficult to get larger stuff, but it’s a decent hybrid for sculpture and pottery.

[@cobylyons4439]

@@MissLinneaLark who makes it? Laguna? Aardvark? Clay Planet? Other???

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@cobylyons4439 It's made by Industrial Minerals Company in Sacramento, CA. My school uses them as they are close enough to our school to do deliveries in bulk. It really saves our school money on shipping clay. I really like their Tijuana Red as well. I tried most of their midrange and low fire clays and ended with Spirit White. It does not have large grog (good for wheel throwing) but has a decent amount of tiny grog, which allows us to make medium large sculptures and pots on the wheel. It does feel a little slimy on the wheel. But once I recalibrated my pressure I got the hang of it. Hope this help. Here's their link: www.clayimco.com/product/spirit-white-leslie-ceramic/2?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2

[@snowballvsjohnnynow9181]

@@MissLinneaLark is this clay good for mold making? i will be making an angel and then putting rubber latex over it to make the latex rubber mold then cemented sculpture. Also, I was looking for the best clay for this type of work. I prefer to be able to reuse it to make other designs I won't be baking it. Also, when you say clay not good for larger pieces. it will stand about 3 feet high

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@snowballvsjohnnynow9181 I would get something with more grog for a 3’ sculpture!

[@marinandiaz]

Hello! Loving your video =) What supplies are needed to set up a station to work on hand built work at home? Type of wood? How big? It looked like you have a guided mat. Thank you! ~MC

[@MissLinneaLark]

Hi Marina, I am so blessed to be able to work at my classroom, so I have never set one up. But if I were to make one I would make sure I had: 1. WORKPLACE/SURFACE: You'll need a table to wedge and work with clay that clay won't stick to. I would cover a cheap but sturdy table with HardieBacker. HardieBacker is a building material that is AMAZINGLY absorbent and repellent at the same time. Get it at Home Depot, watch a KZbin video on how to cut HardieBacker (all you'll need is a box cutter and some courage). It is so easy and PERFECT for clay. Cut it to the size of your table and then use some liquid nails to glue it down. Wedge and build to your hearts desire. It is easy to scrape and sponge off! PERFECT, I tell you! 2. STORAGE SPACE: I would get a shelf to store in process work and possibly another shelf to store work to be fired. It depends on how much you plan on working on, at one time. You can also use these shelves to store your glazes/underglaze and other tools, etc. 3. TOOLS: Start with a basic kit that includes a needle tool, wire tool, some modeling tools and ribs, etc. As you get more experience shop around to find useful tools for yourself. You'll also need some glazing tools: paint brushes , pallet, small storage tubs, bowls for mixing, etc. I would also get a wooden rolling pin for hand building slabs. I also like having a large bucket around for clay storage. I also could not live without a modeling wheel and some bed foam to prop up vulnerable work. 4. SLIP TOOLS: I use condiment bottles or tubs. I also have different blenders for mixing. I LOVE having a cheap plastic pitcher for pouring water when recycling or mixing clay. I got mine at the dollar store. Any reused plastic tubs with lids (sour cream tubs). 5. WORK BOARD: Get a square foot piece of plywood and router the edges off and you can use that to work on your projects, wrap them up in and move them around. A work board will help you move your projects around without harming them. You'll need a work board for every in-process piece you have going, so you might want more than one. 6. MATERIALS: Clay, glaze. etc. 7. RESOURCES: Pottery wheel, if you are throwing. If it's something you want to learn, I would learn at a studio or community college. It takes about 3+ months to really understand and years to get good at. A kiln. I would start with an electric kiln and either a small or medium size, unless you are a full on production artist. The size of your kiln will limit the size of your work, however, you'll need to fill your kiln before you fire it. A partially empty kiln can cause firing issues. So think of how often you will want to fire and how many pieces you will have going at once and plan/buy accordingly. Or you can see if there is a local artist or studio where you can fire. I think those are the bare essentials! Good luck! Linnea

[@snowballvsjohnnynow9181]

@@MissLinneaLark thanks this is wonderful info for the beginners. I would love to get a good modeling wheel. or turntable. what do you recommend? yours is perfect I like how it lifted from the table.

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@snowballvsjohnnynow9181 I got mine from DickBlick.com. Here are their "Banning wheels:" www.dickblick.com/search/?q=banning%20wheel Mine's the $50 silver one. You can also use a cake decorating wheel. If you've got the cash, I would get the Shimpo ones... alas I have never had them, but I like them because you can make them tall or short. I have also read that the way they glide when they rotate is really smooth. Sometimes I have to prop mine up on books to raise my project up. But it totally works.

[@snowballvsjohnnynow9181]

your awesome Linnea and encourage me to start sculpting. I had no where to start I knew that I wanted to make larger items and smaller but the product to start with was hard. I just bought an amazon one. wish I would have waited. but I bought the indian low fire clay and hope that works.

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@snowballvsjohnnynow9181 that sounds like an excellent place to start! I am excited for you to start your sculpting journey! Something my dad told me about my art is that “it will go as far as you take it.” You keep creating, keep growing and keep going and you will get what you want! And be thankful for all the failures along the way. They make us strong and teach us what is possible! Good luck! This is actually my second carving ever and I never took a sculpting class in college (I was too scared). But it brings me so much joy, and it is in me. So imma try to find more time for carving. Tag me on Instagram when you make your first piece! I’ll send you some encouragement!!

[@honeybear0408]

may i ask when you fire it, will u take out the newspaper first? or u let them inside to fire together? and what firing cone normally use for sculpture ? thanks you!!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

I don’t take the paper out, but it does cause smoke. But I have a ventilator on my kiln and our fire detector uses temperature instead of smoke... if you have an outdoor kiln it will work perfect. I fire at 05.

[@honeybear0408]

@@MissLinneaLark is it possible to take the paper out? coz i only hv electric kiln:(

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@honeybear0408 ABSOLUTELY! just cut the rump off when it's leather hard, pull out the paper and the score-slip-score it back on and patch the seam really well!

[@honeybear0408]

thank you for your help!! it's so helpful!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

@@honeybear0408 you are SO welcome! 💕

[@annebroers4600]

Wouw amazing! How do you take the paper out 🤔

[@MissLinneaLark]

anne broers thanks! The fire burns it out 😂 it leave a pile of ash behind, but is super easy to clean.

[@annebroers4600]

Oh! I didn’t know that was possible haha! I remove it always how stupid 🤣

[@MissLinneaLark]

anne broers just make sure you’re not in the room during the firing. It is smelly. I have also heard people say their fire alarms go off when they do it. I have a small vent on my kiln and have never had the alarm go off. Good luck. 😁

[@annebroers4600]

Oké! I will not do it at home! Thanks for the tip😂 probably would do it at home if you diddend tell me ♥️

[@evakozy6368]

How do you get paper out? My teacher won't let us do paper in the kiln. So I struggle with big forms.

[@MissLinneaLark]

Hi Eva, I am actually releasing the next video in the next few days. And it shows how to take care of the paper if you cannot fire the paper. Hope it will help you, check back in a few days (or subscribe and click the bell to be notified ;)

[@brightravenstudio]

do you have to remove the newspaper before putting it in the kiln?

[@MissLinneaLark]

I don’t, but it does cause smoke. But I have a ventilator on my kiln and our fire detector uses temperature instead of smoke... if you have an outdoor kiln it will work perfect.

[@brightravenstudio]

@@MissLinneaLark thank you so much, it looks gorgeous by the way!

[@ronaldlogan3525]

So what happens to the newspaper that is inside the animal ? Does it burn out in the kiln ?

[@MissLinneaLark]

Exactly! However it can cause wear on your kiln elements and set off smoke alarms. So depending on your set up it might not be the best to leave it inside. Once you’re finished you can always cut a hole, pull out the newspaper and then patch the hole by slipping and scoring the piece back on. Good luck!

[@meghancarroll2383]

More!!!

[@MissLinneaLark]

LOL my niece has asked for a baboon sculpture so...

[@Sunnipoo]

Do you remove the paper for firing ?

[@MissLinneaLark]

You don’t have to, I didn’t. But you can and prolly should. If you do this often your elements will wear out faster.

[@lucyjoinesceramics1563]

I can’t find the vid of you glazing it, is there one? 😊

[@lucyjoinesceramics1563]

Found it on Instagram, beautiful 🐼 🦋

[@MissLinneaLark]

It is coming! I have the timeline ready to go, but I’m at a standstill editing cause school just started and I am like a limp rag 🤣. Like seriously I go to sleep before the sun goes down!! Soon, though, I promise!!

[@raymondjames8151]

Can you try to make a tiger

[@MissLinneaLark]

I'll have to give it a whirl after quarantine!

[@kdjbeenken7931]

the high point of the sculpture is not like your drawing which is much more pleasing

[@elainemiles3676]

to fast to follow

[@MissLinneaLark]

you can watch it at half speed if you like, although I will sound ridiculous!

[@raitcmuca1284]

WHAT IS IT🐼🏯🎎