How to Make a Doll Torso From Sculpey Clay
- 1). Draw a picture of the doll from front, back and both sides. Sketch out plans of how the head, arms and legs will be fastened to the body.
- 2). Bend the wire into a capital letter H shape, with one end extending beyond the H. This will strengthen the doll shape and make fasteners for head, arms and legs.
- 3). Mold the Sculpey by hand over the wire shape. If you are only making one doll, you can detail the body by hand using your picture as a guide. Make sure enough wire sticks out from the shoulders, hips and neck space to easily fasten on the head, arms and legs. lf you are going to make more than one doll based on this same pattern, set the torso aside, and go to Step 4. If you are making only one doll, go to Step 7.
- 4). Carve a model of the doll in soap, using the sketch as a guide. Mix Plaster of Paris and water in a bowl to the consistency of cake batter. Grease a shallow bowl with petroleum jelly, then pour in about three inches of plaster. Nestle the soap model face down in the plaster. Pour in additional plaster till the model is a little over half immersed. Let dry.
- 5). Remove the soap model from the mold and repeat the process for the back. Remove the soap from the mold. Clean up any rough places and fill in any holes caused by air bubbles. Notch the rim of the mold so that it will fit together without any spaces around the rim.
- 6). Dust the inside of the mold with talcum powder. Press the Sculpey-clad armature into the mold and press it firmly closed. Remove the Sculpey from the mold, being careful not to lose the shape. Correct any imperfections.
- 7). Bake the Sculpey in a convection oven according to manufacturer's directions.
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