Create a Figurine for Clay Animation

Did you need to make a clay figure for an animation movie? Or did you just want to make a movie with clay. This is how you make a clay figure for an animation move.

Steps

  1. Take your wire and bend it into your desired shape. This will be the skeleton frame of the figurine. Don't add fingers, eyes, etc. because you will put clay over it. It just needs to be a vague outline with enough surface to hold the clay. You want to make sure that it is joined at the midriff and the neck.
    • Use a wire gauge sturdy enough to hold pose with the weight of the clay.
  2. Put some rolled up pieces of polymer clay over it. It should all be one color, because this won't show. Do not add clay to the head, hands or feet regions. This will be later referenced to as the 'base'.
  3. Add a large ball of clay to where the head should be. Smooth it over the wire so it is no longer visible. Add desired features.
  4. Add hands and feet.
  5. Put colored clay over the 'base' clay. This is the 'clothing'.
  6. Add fine details to your figurine using some wire or carving knife.
  7. Now your creation is ready for filming!
  8. To film, ready your webcam or video camera. Move your clay creation into the desired position (e.g. in the process of raising an arm, shaking its head, etc.). Start the camera for only an instant. Stop it as soon as possible.
  9. Move your clay creation a little bit more and film in the same manner until the movement is finished. A good practice is to make your clay creation walk.



Tips

  • When choosing your frames per second rate, it is recommended to run it at 15 fps or higher.
  • For the large parts of body, you can put tin foil and scrunch it up in a ball. Then clay it up!
  • Remember to only move your creation a little bit at a time. This will make it flow more.
  • Van Aken is the best brand of clay for animation.

Warnings

  • Wire is sharp and can hurt you . Be careful.

Things You'll Need

  • A Webcam, digital camera, or video camera (any one will do)
  • Clay (must be pliable and never harden).
  • Wire to structure your clay creations, so they don't collapse and bend better.(depends on how big figure is)
  • You can get optional things, too, like a microphone if you want to add voices.(recommended)

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References

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