Can someone give me step by step directions on how to sculpt this?

Question

ok, i want to sculpt a clay sabre-toothed tiger (modeling clay) that like, only 2 inches long, and i need to make an iron bar cage of modeling clay that's 4x4 on the bottom, and about 4x4 sides. thing is, this is my first time sculpting. can anyone help me? directions? and i don't have a teacher, nor do i want one. i want to be able to paint it as well, but when i go to make it, it completely like, folds up and won't stay in the shape i want it :( i need help badddd. thankss!

Answer 1

If you're using an oil-based modeling clay, you won't be able to bake or fire your sculpture and painting it would be pointless because the clay won't actually harden.

It probably keeps folding because the clay is too warm and soft. You should use either polymer clay or model magic. Polymer clay is baked in the oven and model magic dries after 24 hours. Both can be painted and kept for years.

As for directions, just look at what you're trying to sculpt, it's really not that difficult. For the cage, I would probably just cut out a base and top and then connect them with clay bars.  

Answer 2

Working on the scale you want with clay to make the thin bars is very difficult.  You would be better to make the bars of small wood dowels (like drink stirrers) or wire.   If you must use clay, then one of the bakeable poly clays and an extruder to get wire shapes, make the four sides on a flat surface and bake them hard, then glue together or adhere to top and bottom.