Polymer Clay Art 1: Sculpt a Tortoise / Turtle Figure (Beginner)
In this one-time polymer clay art class, students will learn how to make a tortoise or turtle sculpture using polymer clay. I will show the body parts for both, as well as a bottom and top shell.
Heather Stewart-Williams/DragonVault (She/Her)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(227)
Star Educator
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. No outside homework.Class Experience
Students will learn a few basic skills while creating their tortoise or turtle. First they will learn how to make a small, basic round armature to support the shell. Next they will learn how to make a marble effect with at least two colors of clay for the shell, or they can choose to make their shell in a different way! After making the shell, students will choose tortoise or sea turtle legs and learn how to form and shape the head, legs, and tail. Then they will learn how to put it all together and add a cute little face! Students are encouraged to ask questions and interact with each other throughout class. We will talk about turtles and a tortoises, as well as clay techniques. Students are encouraged to participate in the conversation, but are not required to. Students are also encouraged to upload a picture of their sculpture after class to show off their unique artwork! Students do not need to have prior experience with clay or sculpting. I will be taking it step-by-step and pausing for questions or clarification throughout. It is important to encourage your learner to ask questions if they need to, and to remember that art is unique. It is always fun to see how different all of the sculptures turn out to be!
Learning Goals
Students will improve their understanding of basic sculpture structures and patterns.
Students will be able to discuss the difference between a turtle and a tortoise.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental supervision or guidance is suggested for inexperienced or younger learners. Polymer clay should be used on a non-porous surface (a metal sheet pan covered with parchment paper, or a piece of marble, or just parchment paper laid out). Learners should avoid touching their mouth when working with polymer clay.
Parents will need to help their learner cure the sculpture by baking it in the oven after class. Place the sculpture on parchment paper or an index card on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes at 275 degrees. Let it cool completely before handling.
Supply List
A small piece of foil (about 2x2 inches) Polymer clay in various colors. Some suggestions are: Green Brown Black White Accent colors such as Blue, Yellow, Pink, or any other color that you like (optional - to make colorful marbling in the turtle's shell). I recommend choosing at least 2 accent colors if you want to do a marbled shell. Artist Recommendations: I recommend using Sculpey III, Sculpey Premo, Fimo, Kato, or Cernit brand polymer clay as they are easier to find. Of these, the Sculpey III brand is the least strong but soft to work with. If you are looking for sculptures to be stronger, Sculpey Premo and Fimo Professional hold up better after baking but they are less soft. Fimo and Cernit both have varieties that are softer as well, but the same applies. Kato can be more firm sometimes, and bakes at a lower temperature so it is best not to mix with other brands. These brands all come in 2 oz. bars available at stores like Michael’s or JoAnn’s, or online at Sculpey or the Polymer Clay Superstore. I have also recently tested the "Crafter's" brand by Hobby Lobby. The Crafter's Collection Craft version is similar to Sculpey III or Craftsmart. The Crafter's Collection Advanced is extremely similar to Fimo Professional. I would choose the Advanced over the Craft Collection. Please allow time for shipping if you choose to purchase supplies online. Clay bars are typically $2 - $4 per 2 oz. per bar. You can also buy multi packs that can sometimes be cheaper. The clay will not dry out if exposed to air, so it will last a while and can be used for other projects! **My favorite clay for softness and durability right now is Cosclay, but it is more of an investment. They come in larger, 8oz - 16oz boxes. This clay is soft to work with, but also very durable. You can find it at www.Cosclay.com or on Amazon. The variety packs that are off branded on Amazon are sometimes okay, but they often have very soft clay that is a little tough to work with. Some kids like it that soft, but others may get frustrated with the texture as it is difficult to use to make details. If you have any other questions about tools, materials, or colors then please send me a message.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
I will refer to the Britannica entry "What is the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise". This can be found here: https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-turtle-and-a-tortoise
Students can watch the video at the link before or after class to further their knowledge.
Joined October, 2020
4.9
227reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Special Education
I have been working with polymer clay for many years. I have also been teaching elementary school aged kids for over three years. I have used polymer clay with my students in my own classroom.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
50 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
1-6 learners per class
