This master class shows how to make air-dry modeling clay as an alternative to polymer clay. The mixture uses starch, Titan glue, and baby oil. Add glue to a mound of starch: about 2 tablespoons of glue per 100 g of starch. The proportions are approximate, so add more starch until the mixture becomes a firm dough that pulls away from your hands. Add 2–3 teaspoons of baby oil to the nearly finished mixture and knead again; the oil makes the clay softer, more flexible, and easier to use for small details. Uncolored clay stays slightly translucent when rolled thin, so add white pigment or colored paints for a denser color. Thin pieces harden in about 30 minutes, while larger figures need at least a day to dry. After drying, the pieces are not brittle and keep a useful amount of flexibility.
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Translated
Things you will learn
The clay is made with starch, Titan glue, and baby oil.
Use about 2 tablespoons of glue for 100 g of starch as a starting point.
Add starch until the mixture becomes a firm dough that pulls away from your hands.
Baby oil makes the clay softer and more flexible.
Thin pieces harden in about 30 minutes; larger figures need at least a day.
Air-dry clay for fine sculpting
The result is a flexible modeling clay for sculpting flowers, petals, small figures, and home decor details without baking.
Materials and tools
Materials
Starch, 100 g, The base of the clay; add more as needed to adjust firmness.
Titan glue, 2 tbsp, Approximate amount for 100 g of starch.
Baby oil, 2–3 tsp, Added to the nearly finished mixture for flexibility.
White pigment, For a denser white color.
Colored paints, For tinting the clay.
Tools
Mixing bowl, For kneading the clay.
Spoon or spatula, For first mixing glue and starch.
Gloves, Optional, but they keep kneading cleaner.
Preparation
Prepare the work surface
Work on a smooth surface and keep extra starch nearby for adjusting the consistency.
Decide on color
If you need an opaque white or colored clay, prepare white pigment or paints before sculpting.
Mixing the clay
The proportions are approximate: judge the mixture by the consistency of firm dough.
Prepare ingredients
Take starch, Titan glue, and baby oil. Base ratio: about 2 tablespoons of glue for 100 g of starch.
Add glue to starch
Pour glue onto the starch mound and start mixing. If the mixture is too sticky, add starch gradually.
Add baby oil
Add 2–3 teaspoons of baby oil to the nearly finished mixture and knead thoroughly until the clay is smooth and flexible.
Adjust the firmness
The clay should be firm enough and should pull away from your hands.
Coloring and sculpting
Uncolored clay is slightly translucent in thin layers, so adjust the color before sculpting if needed.
Add pigment or paint
For denser color, add white pigment or colored paints. Mix them in small portions.
Sculpt fine details
The clay works well for thin petals, flowers, and small home decor details that need a realistic look.
Let the pieces dry
Thin details harden in about 30 minutes. Larger figures need at least a day to dry.
Do not rush thick pieces
Thicker areas must dry fully; otherwise the piece may deform.
Finish and variations
Finish
Final check
Check that thin pieces have hardened, larger figures have dried through, and the surface is no longer sticky.
Variations
White flowers
Add white pigment and sculpt thin petals for roses, home decor flowers, and decorative compositions.
Colored miniatures
Tint the clay with paints and use it for small figures or miniatures.
BeginnerFree
