Sculpting a Small BJD Head in Paperclay

Today we have a video demo from ShirwillJack showing how to sculpt a small BJD* head (hollow).  She refers to this as a "paperclay" tutorial but in dialog says she is using "Premier" (LaDoll) clay.  They are both air-dry but not exactly the same.  "Premier" is a stone clay, not paperclay.  However, "Creative Paperclay" works well for modeling BJDs and is frequently used by doll artists.  This is a good example of using the "add-on" method for sculpting with air-dry clay, where wet clay is applied to dry clay (re-moistened).  If you think you have to rush with air-dry clay, think again.  Note:  You might want to pause video in the speeded up segments.  Sometimes it's just a little too speedy to see what's happening!

Sculpting Head and Face for BJD

~ click photos to enlarge ~    

Linda Macario, the Italian doll-maker, has written a wonderful tutorial for creating the head for a BJD (ball-jointed doll) .   LaDoll air-dry clay is suggested.  Creative Paperclay would also be suitable for this project.   Lots of photos demonstrate how to sculpt the Styrofoam core, apply the clay, model the facial features, hollow out the head & insert the eyes and also create the head articulation.

How to Create This Art Doll including How to Sculpt Head and Build Body

Paperclay doll by Oksana Dyachenko

Excellent, detailed tutorial for creating a mixed media art doll by Oksana Dyachenko.  Some interesting and unique techniques shown that I've never seen before.  Creative Paperclay is used to sculpt head, hands and feet with abundant step-by-step instructions for modeling face and hands along with painting details.  This is a very long tutorial with lots of steps and lots of photos.  You'll probably do best if you follow along one step at a time.  Don't skip around ....you might miss something important.  There's really a lot of information in this tutorial!

Steampunk Paperclay Book

This tutorial from Terri Sproul creates a Steampunk* Paperclay Book with embellishments such as safety pins and lots and lots of scrapbooking items. Artist uses interesting techniques to create a one-of-a-kind piece.

*Steampunk is a genre that originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy and alternate history. It involves a setting where steam power, gears, clock parts and mechanical devices are used in unique ways. Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style. (wikipedia.org)

Paperclay Stump Doll

Stylized and aged with crackle finish, this 'Dancing Girl' Paperclay stump doll from Miss Sophie Arts looks like it'd be a lot of fun to make.  The author sculpts heads and necks from Paperclay but their bodies use a paper mache technique.

Sculpting a Heron

Believe it or not, this beautiful Heron was sculpted from a gourd.   Actually it's made from several gourds that were carved, assembled and detailed with air-dry clay by Phyllis Sickles.   Phyllis shares her clay+gourd process in this series of step-by-step photos for "Sculpting the Heron".

How to Make a Folk Art Snowman

This is a 5-part video demo from MLB Studios showing us how to make this folk art snowman with stick legs that can either stand or hang from tree.    Creative Paperclay   is used but many other air-dry clays would work as well.

Using an instant papier mache (such as Celluclay) could give it an even more vintage look and feel!

How to Make a Paperclay Art Doll by MLB

Step-by-step 9 part tutorial on how to make a folk art doll using Creative Paperclay.   MBetterly takes you from the Styrofoam armature to the finishing touches. Get your hands dirty and have some fun making art dolls!

Make a Paperclay kitty doll

  

Create this stylized black cat following these step-by-step instructions from the folks at Creative Paperclay. You will need a Styrofoam ball and some jewelry wire.

Note:   This tutorial suggests baking the air-dry clay but, because a Styrofoam ball is used, I would suggest playing it safe and letting it air-dry instead.  Even though a low temp is suggested, Styrofoam can emit toxic fumes, especially if it melts.   If you want to bake it, use a ball of aluminum foil instead of Styrofoam.

Make a Rainstick with Paperclay

Make your own rainstick following this tutorial from Creative Paperclay.

What is a rainstick, you ask?

Wikipedia defines a rainstick as:
"A percussion instrument made from a

Cute Monster Keychains, Magnets or Brooches

Create these cute and comicial monster charms with a little Creative Paperclay and a lot of imagination.  Gather your found pieces of hardware and watch parts to give your monster that steampunk look!

Paperclay Bowl

How to make a Paperclay bowl.  A step-by-step tutorial from makers of Creative Paperclay.   Depending on size of bowl you want to make, you will probably need a 16 oz package of Creative Paperclay to make one this large.

You will also need a bowl or similar shape to form your bowl over, and some foil. Once you have it finished, you will want to paint it, so you'll also need acrylic paints.