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Dimensional Clay Fish Illustration Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to create a beautiful ocean-theme clay illustration. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-105

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Creating the fish is the next step in the process.

Making the Fish

1. Roll out a sheet approximately 4" x 6" of gold clay on the thickest setting on the pasta machine (#1) and place on ceramic tile.

2. Set fish template on clay and trace around the outside with the needle tool, then remove template and cut through traced outline with the craft knife.

3. Use the small tapered clay shaper to gently smooth and round all the edges of the fish.

4. Build up dimensions and details of your fish by adding gold clay as follows: eye—roll small pea size ball of white clay and flatten into a disc. Press gently into place (follow pattern if necessary). Roll a ball of black clay half the size of the white one but do not flatten this piece. Push into place on the white disc, taking care to retain the shape.

5. For the gill, roll a thin snake of the gold clay and shape into a loose "c" shape and turn backwards. Place behind and below the eye, then blend carefully with the small tapered clay shaper.

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Figure A

6. Smooth all the fin pieces gently with the acrylic rod or knitting needle, then texture the fins by pulling the needle tool through the fins from one end to the other to create texture. Again there is no wrong way to do this—vary the way you use the needle tool by pulling deep and/or thin lines through the fins. You can even give your fish a different look by pulling the clay right off the edge of the fins, creating an irregular, raggedy edge.

7. For the scales, starting above the eye and behind the gills begin to make the scales using the small circle sculpting tool. Hold it at an angle (like a pen) so that only the upper half of the circle is touching the clay (figure A). Push the tool into the clay and then pull up slightly to create a scale. Continue making scales following the pattern; pull some scales up more than others to create more depth and interest, covering the entire body of the fish. When all scales are done very lightly roll over them with the acrylic rod—you are not trying to push the clay back down, just create a more finished look. You can also make scales using small clay cutters in heart, flower or leaf shapes, or by just rolling the rough part of your craft knife over the fish.

8. Personality is the most important part of your illustration! For the lips you will need to roll two more logs of gold clay, making them fatter and longer than the one for the eyebrow. Flatten only one side of these logs, and taper the end of each down to a small point. Put the top lip in position on the fish curving the tapered end up. Repeat with the second log, put into position under the top lip making sure the tapered ends of the top and bottom lips meet, both curving up to make a smile.

9. Remove your fish from the tile, again using the clay blade by putting it under one edge and carefully working the blade under the entire fish until it is released from the tile.

10. Put a thin coat of Translucent Liquid Sculpey on the back of the fish before putting it into position on the background—this will ensure the fish adheres well to the rest of the illustration.

11. Carefully place the illustration on a clay dedicated cookie sheet and tent with aluminum foil. Place in oven and bake at 275 degrees for one hour, then remove from oven and let cool. (it is strongly recommended using an oven thermometer made specifically for use with polymer clay as it will ensure your artwork is being baked at the correct temperature).

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