Air dry clay (a clay-like material, also known as play-doh/playdough/air-drying plasticine) is a great medium for sculpting without having to deal with a furnace or oven, but coloring it can be a little tricky. Depending on the method you choose, you can add design and color to the clay before or after it has dried. By learning how to color clay before shaping it, drawing on dried clay with a marker, or painting designs on dry clay, your work will come to life.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Color Before Drying
Step 1. Choose the correct type of clay to color
White dry clay water will give you the best results. Check to make sure the clay is colorless. Even off-white clay will affect the final color. Even if you're using white clay, always do a small test first to determine what the final color will look like and what kind of hue you want.
Step 2. Choose a dye
If you want the clay to be colored in one solid color, color it with a pigment before the clay dries to give the desired result. There are many options for unstained dry clay. So, feel free to experiment!
- Acrylic, tempera, or poster paints will produce bright solid colors.
- Oil paints can also be used for basic staining, but are more difficult to clean.
- If you want a more intense, vibrant color, try a professional-grade acrylic or oil paint.
- Food coloring or icing coloring will also give the same results as acrylic paint and tempera paint.
- If you want a pastel color or a very light shade, try pastel chalk.
- You can also buy ready-made clay dyes, but the color options are limited and they can be expensive.
Step 3. Prepare the workbench
Coloring clay can be messy. Make sure your hands and workbench are protected from stains. Work only on disposable mats or washable surfaces, such as a piece of wax paper on a table or plastic cutting board. Wear plastic or rubber gloves, especially if you're using oil paint or food coloring. Disposable gloves are the best choice.
Step 4. Knead the clay before adding the dye
Take the time to knead and press the clay by hand before adding the dye. This will help soften the clay so it can absorb the color more quickly and evenly. Kneading means kneading the clay repeatedly. The time you need to knead will depend on the temperature and altitude you are at, but should not exceed 5 minutes. You'll know the clay is ready to use when the color is evenly mixed throughout.
Step 5. Add a small drop of dye to the clay, then knead
Knead the dye into the clay until all the pieces are the same color. This process takes up to about 5 minutes. So, don't worry if the color doesn't change right away!
If you are using a solid dye such as pastel chalk, add a little bit of dye dust to the clay
Step 6. Keep adding drops of dye until the clay is the color you want
Be careful when adding dye-don't add more than one drop at a time. Make sure the clay is kneaded evenly after adding each drop!
Step 7. Shape and dry the clay as usual
Once the color is to your liking, you can continue working on the clay. Clay that has been colored usually dries faster than that which isn't. So you may have to work faster than usual.
Method 2 of 3: Drawing Dry Clay
Step 1. Shape and dry the clay as usual
Make sure the clay is completely dry and solid before drawing. The damp clay will cause the marker to smudge and damage your work. White clay is the best choice to make sure the image is clear, but you can use any color you want.
Step 2. Prepare the markers
Acrylic-based markers are the best choice for drawing clay, but you can also use regular children's markers, permanent markers, or watercolor markers. Don't use oil-based markers, as these take a very long time to dry and can fade easily.
Step 3. Create a design
It's important to know what you want to draw before you start. With clay, you can't delete a design and start over. Take a few minutes to practice drawing on a piece of paper until you can do it perfectly several times in a row.
Step 4. Wash and dry your hands completely
Working with wet hands will cause the marker ink to smudge and smear, especially if you're using a watercolor marker. Make sure your hands are clean and completely dry before starting.
Step 5. Draw the design on the clay
Hold the clay in one hand and carefully draw the design with your dominant hand. Draw one color at a time so the colors don't smear, and draw the lighter colors first. For example, if you have a black and yellow design plan, draw yellow first, let it dry, then draw the black part of the design.
Step 6. Allow the design to dry completely
When you're done drawing on one side or using a single color, place the clay and wait for the marker to dry completely before touching it again. Check the packaging of the marker for an estimated drying time if you're not sure how long to wait. Continue until all of the clay has been colored.
Step 7. Seal the design so it doesn't smudge or fade
Check the clay packaging for sealant recommendations. Most seals are applied by spraying, but you can also use daubed seals or even clear nail polish.
- For store-bought seals, follow the instructions for use on the packaging for best results.
- If you use nail polish, apply it in a well-ventilated area. Apply slowly and carefully and make sure each side is dry before turning the clay over.
Method 3 of 3: Painting Dry Clay
Step 1. Shape and dry the clay as usual
Painting on damp clay or shaping painted clay will not work. The design will be smudged or faded. You'll need to wait until the clay is completely finished and completely dry to start painting. White clay will highlight the paint better.
Step 2. Choose acrylic or tempera paint to color the clay
This type of paint is the best choice for water dry clay painting, but you can also use poster paint or even nail polish, if you prefer. Open the container and check the color of the paint inside first to make sure the shades are to your liking.
Watercolors and oil paints can also be used, but they are more difficult to handle and will not produce the same effect as acrylic paints
Step 3. Choose the right brush to paint the design
Using the wrong brush can ruin the design! If you are designing a complex design, use a very small brush so that the details are painted correctly. On the other hand, if you are painting a large area with a solid color, use a large brush to ensure that the paint is evenly distributed.
Make sure the brushes are in good condition. Old brushes with damaged bristles can fall out and ruin the design
Step 4. Practice painting designs on paper first
If you want to paint your design on clay instead of just applying one solid color, practice a few times on paper or on leftover clay to make sure you get it right. This step is especially important if the design is complex or you're not used to painting – you won't get a second chance!
Step 5. Paint the design onto the clay
Hold the clay with one hand and paint the design with the other. You can also place the clay on a clean, padded workbench if you don't want to touch it. Remember, apply one color at a time and apply the lighter color first, if possible. For example, if you want to paint a bee, apply yellow first, then black.
Make sure your hands are clean before and during the painting process
Step 6. Wash the brush and wait for the paint to dry before applying the next color
If the brush is wet, you run the risk of spreading the color, even smearing it. When in doubt, it's better to wait a little longer to avoid mistakes. You should also wait for the paint to dry before applying the other side of the clay.
Step 7. Add a layer of seals to your piece
Check the label on the clay packaging to make sure the seal you choose is suitable for the clay. You can use a sprayed or daubed seal. Read the instructions carefully for best results.
