INSIDE : See how simple it is to make these DIY Air Dry Clay decor pieces for your home! Create these whimsical Colorful Clay Animal Heads in no time at all to hang on your walls.
This post has been updated from it’s original September 2014 date.
I am so excited to be sharing all three of my Colorful Clay Animal Heads today. You may have noticed them during my Guest Room + Office Makeover reveal. I have them secured on the wall right by my desk. They are the perfect fun little touch to my space!
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What are the supplies for Colorful Clay Animal Heads?
Air Dry Clay
Mini Square Canvas
Small twigs
Acrylic Paint
Paint Pens (gold, dark green, light green)
Hot Glue
Velcro Command Strips
How do I make Colorful Clay Animal Heads?
First, I started by pulling up an image or two of animal heads on my phone to help create the basic shape of each animal, the deer, zebra and elephant. I found the key was to really study the image and break it down into simple forms and shapes.
The deer was a log shape for the neck and an oblong circle for the head. I originally thought the elephant would be the hardest to create, but it actually wasn’t too bad.For the elephant, I started first with the basic shape of his head.
Then I created both ears and had them curl a bit. And then last was the elephant nose and connecting it to the head.
Next up was the zebra head. He really didn’t have any major defining shapes so I had to redo this guy like 4 times before I got it even “semi” zebra-esque… by far the hardest one for me to create.
Air dry clay typically takes around 24 hours to dry, but since these were more dense shapes they took closer to two to three days to dry. So while the animal heads were drying out, I started working on the mounting canvas’.
I hand drew a simple mount shape on my mini canvas’ and then painted it in with Martha Stewart’s black chalkboard paint. Then, I seasoned the mount once I had applied three coats of paint for a nice thick look.
Using a thin sharpie, I added some texture to the remainder of the canvas and outlined the mount with a gold paint pen.
Next each animal got a base coat of spray paint. The elephant and deer received some gold spray paint love. The zebra got a dose of white (the clay dries white, but I just wanted to make sure it was white white).
I painted colorful stripes to the twigs (antler) with acrylic paint. Once those were dry, I hot glued them to the back of the deer head. He is by far my favorite of the three!
Then using a dark green and light green paint pen, I gave the zebra some stripes. And with a white paint pen, the elephant got some polka dots.
Then, using simple Velcro Command strips, I easily mounted these awesome Colorful Clay Animal heads to my wall!
Colorful Clay Animal Heads
See how simple it is to make these DIY Air Dry Clay decor pieces for your home! Create these whimsical Colorful Clay Animal Heads in no time at all to hang on your walls.
Materials
- Air Dry Clay
- Mini Square Canvas
- Small twigs
- Acrylic Paint
- Paint Pens (gold, dark green, light green)
- Hot Glue
- Velcro Command Strips
Instructions
- Start by pulling up an image or two of animal heads on the internet to help create the basic shape of each animal, the deer, zebra and elephant.
- Study the image and break it down into simple forms and shapes.
- DEER - A log shape for the neck and an oblong circle for the head.
- ELEPHANT - The basic shape of his head, then draw both ears. Last is the elephant nose and connecting it to the head.
- ZEBRA - A log like shape for the head with two small ears.
- Air dry clay typically takes around 24 hours to dry, but since these are more dense shapes they make take closer to two to three days to dry.
- While the animal heads are drying out, begin working on the mounting canvas’.
- Draw a simple mount shape on your mini canvas’ and then paint it in with black chalkboard paint. Season the mount once you have applied about three coats of paint for a nice thick look.
- Each animal gets a base coat of spray paint. The elephant and deer received some gold spray paint love. The zebra got a dose of white (the clay dries white, but I just wanted to make sure it was white white).
- I painted colorful stripes to the twigs (antler) with acrylic paint. Once those were dry, I hot glued them to the back of the deer head.
- Then using a dark green and light green paint pen, I gave the zebra some stripes. And with a white paint pen, the elephant got some polka dots.
- Then, using simple Velcro Command strips, I easily mounted these awesome Colorful Clay Animal heads to your wall!
Looking for MORE Air Dry Clay projects? Hope you are inspired by them!
TIPS, TECHNIQUES + TRICKS FOR USING AIR DRY CLAY.
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Hello Amy, since these cuties are a bit weighty how did you fasten them to the canvas? Did you just use the hot glue?
I just sent you an email on the glue I used! Thanks for asking!
Umm…can you leave me these in your will?
So freaking cool! Thanks for linking up to the Outside [The Box] Link party!
Adorable! Thanks so much for sharing at the Create & Share Link Party. Hope to see you again tonight (7:00 PM MST)! http://designsbymissmandee.blogspot.com/
I LOVE these! Seriously amazing. Do you think the clay would hold up to create a large one?
Ashley, you know I think the clay would hold up just fine… but I was surprised how “densely” these dried. They actually have some weight for being as small as they are. So I’m afraid a large one might weigh crazy amounts.
You could try to reduce the weight by sculpting around tin foil or a bit of paper towel. Or you could Gorilla glue it like crazy!
Oh, now that is very smart! Great idea, thanks for sharing.
Those are so cool! Pinning them to the Monday Funday board! Thanks for linking!
These are just the best! Thank for linking up at Motivational Monday!
I really want these for my new office!
Thanks for linking up with the Caffeinated Crafters!!
I’m impressed!! Clay has always intimidated me!
Absolutely amazing!!! I love these.
Ummmm… Seriously adorable!!! Saw you featured over at The Makers Link party 🙂
Hee hee, thanks Marni! And yes, love those Maker girls, so sweet to be featured there.
I adore these so much! They are too cute! 😀
could you be any more amazing! you have some serious design talent lady. I love following your blog and getting so many great ideas. I’d love you to come link some up at my brand new link party http://www.carissamiss.com/2014/09/outside-box-link-party-no-1.html!!!
You’re too kind Carissa! I’ll be sure to stop over.
Once again Amy you blow me away with your incredible talent and creativity, would love for you to link up with us at Motivational Monday !!http://www.kentheartstrings.com/2014/09/motivational-monday-party-link-up_8.html
You’re far too kind, Cassie! Thanks.
These are SO tiny! Love it! The painted twigs are so fun. Your attention to detail is awesome 🙂
You’re too kind Deonna! It was fun to add all those small little details.
Amy, I just love all the cute ideas you come up with!! This is the coolest little project! Now, I would totally jack up those molds!
Ah, I bet you would rock it Selene!
These are very cute, Amy! Your talent always amazes me…seriously!
Aniko, you are much too kind. Thanks, girl!
Wow, I can’t believe you made the animal heads yourself! I think you’ve got a talent…and some leftover clay to play with ; ]
I’m a little shocked myself… who knew I could sculpt?! ha. It’s really quite simple, you should give it a try!
AMY! SO cute! And you HAND molded them! Amazing.
Thanks, Amy! It was much easier than I thought it would be.
Girl… those are the cutest ever! I might have to go buy some clay…
You should, Gwen… I was surprised how easy the clay was to work with!
Hi Amy! I adore your work & taste. I have a question about your instructions pertaining to these adorable Clay Animal Heads: When you say you “SEASONED” them, what does that mean, exactly? Sorry, I’ve been “crafty” all my life, but ‘pinning’ & the explosion of DIY-ing is new to me! Help a sister out! ?. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift with all of us, and apologies if this question was already asked/answered!
Best-Leigh Anne D.
Aw, you are too kind Leigh Anne! Okay, so I was referring to the little chalkboard “mount” I painted onto my mini canvas’. Seasoning refers to coloring the entire surface with chalk, to give it that used look. After you season a chalkboard, it is also much easier to erase chalk marks than if you leave it as is. You could easily just paint the mount with black paint, too. Hope that helps!