Pal Tiya Outdoor Modelling Clay 1.36kg

• Size: 1.36kg, enough to make ten small fist-sized pieces.

Create the armature:
Armatures are best made from aluminium foil which provides the perfect grip while applying the wet modelling clay. Other materials for larger projects can be used, such as cardboard, wood and plastic containers. These must still be covered in aluminium foil to stop moisture from being wicked out of the clay which can cause it to dry too quickly and become weak.

Mixing
You will need disposable gloves (latex or nitrile are best) and a dust mask. Give the dry powder a quick stir to break up any clumps. In a container or mixing bowl, mix the powder by hand with cold water. The weight ratio to mix is about 5:1 (powder to water). The mix should be the consistency of cookie dough and can be dangled without breaking.

Sculpting
Pal Tiya clay will stay most plastic for approximately 15 minutes but will be workable for texture and detail work for a further two hours. Wearing disposable gloves, press the clay firmly onto the crushed tinfoil armature surface. If you would like to work on the piece over multiple sessions, create a scratch coat (cross hatching on the surface) with a fork or clay tool on the surface. When you are finished for the day, wrap the piece in a plastic bag to hold in the moisture. When you are ready to work on your piece again, lightly spray your piece with water and work over the top with fresh clay.

Curing
Once you have completed your piece, wrap in a plastic bag. After 24 hours, remove the plastic bag and submerge the piece in cold water for five days. Pal Tiya gets its amazing strength from a crystalline cure. The crystals only grow in the presence of water. The longer your piece is kept wet the stronger it will become. Larger pieces should be wrapped in wet cloths and left for 28 days for maximum strength.

Painting
Once fully cured, Pal Tiya clay is impervious to water which can make it a little hard to paint for the outdoors. A range of paints can be used; some are outdoor acrylic house paints, permanent pigmented inks, spray paints and patina. Lightly dampen the surface before painting.