Porcelain Clay Dogwood

Materials

porcelain clay
paintbrush
moist towel
sponge
clay shaper
needle tool
watercolor crayons: rose, light and dark green, yellow, brown

Helpful hints when working with porcelain clay:

- Keep a moist towel nearby and wrap the extra clay inside to keep it from drying out.

- Dip your fingers in a glass of water to moisten the clay if it dries to the touch.

- Slightly moisten the areas to be joined. This allows a better bond.

- Do not bake; this tends to bring air bubbles to the surface and gives an undesirable effect.

1. To make dogwoods: Flatten four pea-size balls and shape into teardrops. Pinch edges of teardrop to flatten and give shape (figure A). Press and flatten in center of rounded end (figure B).

2. Flatten another pea-size ball and dab a drop of water to top. Place all four petals points together onto the flattened ball (figure C).

3. Add tiny balls to center to fill (figure D).

4. To make leaves: Flatten pea-size balls and shape to teardrops. Pull edges to feather clay thin. Draw in veins with clay shaper (figure E).

5. For extra foliage, scrape bits and pieces of clay for filler.

6. Apply clay to top of mesh box and press in. Dab a small amount of water on the clay. Apply a drop of water to bottom of each flower and gently press the flowers over the clay on the mesh box as desired (figure F).

7. Add leaves and foliage in the same way as desired.

8. Apply color wash to petals, leaves and foliage as desired with watercolor crayons (figure G).

9. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

10. Fill in any open spaces with foliage or leaves, color wash, and let dry.