Have you ever wanted to make your own superhero? Do you have a child who is enthusiastic about comic-book heroes? Parents and children working together can use modelling clay to create any superhero figurine they want. This activity is a great way to encourage budding young artists to develop a taste for modelling and sculpture.
Design your superhero on paper. Decide what colours to to use in the costume and decide whether the hero will wear a cape. Design a chest insignia and think of a name for the superhero. The online computer game "City of Heroes" has a unique and versatile graphic tool for designing costumed, original hero concepts.
Using the needle-nose pliers, bend the wire to create a human-shaped frame. Trim any excess wire to get the proportions right. It is acceptable to approximate at this stage, as the wire frame will simply provide an outline for the finished model.
Flesh out the wire frame by adding bulk and definition to it with wadded balls of aluminium foil. The foil can define bulky arms and legs, barrel chests, hands or heads.
Cover the wire figure with a layer of polymer modelling clay. Smooth the clay evenly and sculpt defining features such as a face and muscles. A toothpick can be used for fine details.
Bake the model in a conventional oven at 121 degrees Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how much clay you've used. Allow another 10 minutes for the figure to cool.
Add the final details to the finished model. Add colour with modelling paint. Cut a cape or other costume pieces from a piece of fabric and glue it on. Store-bought decals can provide colourful chest-mounted symbols and insignias.
Children should be supervised by an adult while baking clay figurines.
Tips and warnings
- Children should be supervised by an adult while baking clay figurines.