How to make a rat out of modeling clay? - briefly
Roll gray modeling clay into a compact oval for the body, attach a slender tapered piece for the tail, and form a tiny sphere for the head, adding pointed ears, a short snout, and small black beads as eyes. Use a fine tool to carve whiskers and delineate the paws.
How to make a rat out of modeling clay? - in detail
Begin with a clean work surface and gather the following materials: modeling clay in shades of gray, black, and pink; a small rolling pin or smooth bottle; a sharp craft knife; a needle‑point tool; a piece of waxed paper; and a reference image of a rat.
Shape the body by rolling a medium‑sized blob of gray clay into an elongated oval about 5 cm long. Smooth the surface against the waxed paper to remove fingerprints. Form the head from a smaller sphere, roughly 2 cm in diameter, and attach it to one end of the body, blending the junction with the needle tool.
Create the ears by flattening two tiny pieces of gray clay into thin, triangular pads. Press each pad onto the top of the head, angling them outward. For the eyes, roll two microscopic black beads and press them into the head, spacing them evenly.
Form the snout by shaping a short, tapered protrusion from pink clay. Attach it to the front of the head, ensuring a seamless transition. Use the craft knife to carve a shallow groove for the nostrils.
Construct the limbs: roll four thin cylinders, each about 1 cm long, for the front paws; flatten the ends slightly to suggest claws. Repeat for the hind legs, making them slightly longer and thicker. Position the front paws near the head and the hind legs toward the rear, attaching each with gentle pressure.
Add the tail by rolling a long, thin rope of gray clay, approximately 8 cm in length. Curve it naturally and secure it to the back of the body. Lightly score the tail with the needle tool to suggest texture.
Finalize details: smooth any visible seams, refine the shape of the ears, and, if desired, lightly dust the finished piece with a fine powder to reduce shine. Allow the sculpture to air‑dry or bake according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions.