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I'll cut right to the chase: there isn't a single "best" air dry clay for sculpting. If only it were that simple! Instead, let's delve into some of the air dry clays that are well-suited for artists and the factors to consider when choosing the right clay for your creative pursuits.
Readers frequently ask me about creating sculptures with "air dry clay" or how "air dry clay" performs under specific conditions. While I strive to offer guidance, it's crucial to understand that "air dry clay" is a broad category with varying characteristics. There are hundreds of types of clay categorieed as "Air dry", and not all of them are equally suitable for use as sculpting mediums.
Things to consider when choosing a clay
Every artist willneed something different froma sculpting medium. Some of the more common features to considerations are:
Price💰
Top of the list for obvious reasons: air dry clays can be pricey.
Access🏪
This is actually a really big one - if you can't buy the clay, you can't use it. Not all clay brands are sold everywhere. For example, I cannotpurchase Apoxie clays* in my area, I have to order it online (which means shipping costs, and suddenly the price is much higher). Instead, I buy Milliput because I can pop into my local art shop while I'm buying other supplies.
Strength💪
How strong is theclay once dry? I think we all generally prefer sculptures that don'tcrack or fall apart. This is also often tied to how heavy the clay body is. Air dry clays thatspecify "natural" or "pottery" are often based on an earthenware type clay and while easy to work with (great for classroom learning), the resulting objects can be heavy and quite fragile as a result.
Texture🥜
Air dry clays, like ceramic clays, vary in their make up. Some are grainy, some silky smooth.
Ability to hold detail🐴
This differs from clay to clay and is usually tied to how soft andhow smooth it is.
Work-ability🖐️
Mah fingers! How pliable is the clayto work with? Do you have to condition/mix it before using it? Some artists like firm clays,while others prefer soft.
Stickiness🍯
Not in texture, but how well does it adhere to things, especially armatures, and itself. This is key when you're trying to build up a sculpture.
Paint-ability🖌️
Will the clay accept my desired method of decoration?
Longevity👵
This is one that's not necessarily central in people's minds, but for artists it can be a key consideration.With sculpting materials like bronze and ceramic often the medium of choice, an air dry clay that isarchival (or museum-quality) can reassure collectors,and also give you piece of mind that in 20years the sculpture will not disintegrate.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but they are characteristics that can determine how successful an air dry clay will be.
The stages of an air dry clay sculpture
And the Winning Clays Are...
There are some that consistentlyrank on top by artistswho use air dry clays as the primary method of their art (such as sculptors and professional doll makers). Considering the listof factors above, thesebrands rank superior in many of the sections, especially in terms of longevity.
All the clays suggestedbelow are artist-quality (and artist tested). They are arranged in alphabetical order.
Activa La Doll Premier Air-Dry Clay
average price: $12.50 USD for 300g
Pros
Strength:lightweight andvery resilient: Sculptures can potentially survive a drop.
Texture:the smoothest. If you need very smooth, this is what you want.
Details:holds detail like nobody's business.
Paint:It's slightly porous surface takes paints easy-peasey.
Cons
Price:Probably the priciest ADC option.
Stickiness:Takes some effort to stick to things and itself.
Fingers:Can be a bit stiff to work with (also the reason it holds details so well), which makes it a bit of a challenge for beginners.
Cold Porcelain
average price:varies since you can make this at home
Despite its name, cold porcelain isn't actually porcelain, but rather an air-dry clay made from cornstarch and white glue. Numerous recipes can be found online. Cold porcelain is notable for its exceptional durability and toughness; even thin pieces resist snapping and shattering. However, its glue-based composition, rather than being water-based, makes it more challenging to work with.
Pros
Price:Can bebe made at home for cheap!
Strength:lightweight andvery resilient: Sculptures can potentially survive a drop
Details:holds detailvery well, if you can shape it
Cons
Texture:generally smooth, but can be difficult to manipulate. Hard to smooth when wet. Very difficult to sand as it driesvery hard
Fingers:while quite soft, it is very difficult to work with as it dries very quickly and can easily become insanely sticky when water is added. Requiressome skill to use well
Stickiness:Has to be made to stick to things by wetting it or using more glue
Paint:takes paints, but may require extra primer because the clay body is slightly translucent
Here are a couple of options for commercial cold porcelain, if you want to avoid having to make it:
Creative Paperclay
average price: $12.00 USD for 454g
Pros
Strength:lightweight andvery resilient: Sculptures can potentially survive a drop. More likely to dent thanshatter
Details:holds detailvery well
Stickiness:Stickseasily to everything
Fingers:Quite soft and easy to work with. Great for beginners
Paint:It's slightly porous surface takes paints easy-peasey
Cons
Price:Can be expensive and hard to get, depending on where you live
Texture:has a slighttoothy-ness (which some, like myself, really like), but can be sanded smooth. It's softness, which makes it great for beginners, can also make it challenging to work with on thinner sections
$ A Budget-Friendly Option $
If you're in the US, DAS clay is a well-priced substitute for Creative Paperclay. It is similar incomposition, though I think Creative Paperclay ekes it out in several respects. A very decent substitute.
If you're just starting out, Crayola Air Dry Clay is avery affordable way to start playing around and practicing.
I would consider it a classroom version of air dry clay, so it's not as forgiving and does crack a lot more.It is firmer and slightly less durable because it dries a bit brittle.But hey, you can purchase a big tub for a great price!
Air dry polymer clay
Air dry polymer clay is also a medium used by mixed media sculptors, butit has a tendency to droop in humid environments, and is on the expensive side.Polymer clays are a separateclass of clay and I do not have enough experience with them to speak confidently on the subject. I mention it as another alternative.
Some well known brands:
Padico Modena Clay
Hearty Soft Clay
In Conclusion
No matter what clay you choose, the key to successful air dry clay sculptures is to use strong armatures. Like a house -a sculpture won't stand the test of time without asturdy foundation.
Playing with a few different types of clay will give youthe best idea of what works and what doesn't for your artwork. While it's not the most cost effective method, it is hard to replace this type of play: simply reading about a clay will not give you the experience of using it.
So get out there and take matters into your own hands! :)
* Apoxie sculptis anepoxy clay. To find about more about these types of clays, read my post about Epoxy vs Air Dry Clay.
What's Next?
Createyour own sculpturefrom air dry clay
Learn the secrets of sculpting with Creative Paperclay
