Satisfying art process to create a dish with air dry clay & herbs

How to use air dry clay and watercolor paint to create a keepsake that mimics the look of my ceramic dishes, without the need for a kiln or any special equipment. Anyone can create these, and it’s a fun and easy project to do with kids and teens.
All the materials are linked for you here

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For this piece, you’ll need:
·       A block of air dry clay. I used DAS brand white modeling clay
·       Regular watercolor paints.
·       ArtDeco brand Triple Thick Gloss Glaze
·       Gilding Paint. I used the Liquid Brass color on the rim of this piece. I applied it with a size 6 Royal Langnickel round-tip brush.


You will also need some leaves - i used a mix of herbs from my garden: sage, mint, rosemary, thyme. But you can use whatever you have available. Choose a leaves that are not too thick and will roll onto the clay easily. You don’t even need a garden- you can purchase most of these herbs at the grocery store.
Use a rolling pin of any kind, and a working surface such as a silicone mat or other smooth surface that can be wiped clean.
 
Instructions:
Roll the clay to an even thickness, about one-quarter inch. If the clay feels dry, knead a bit of water into the clay to soften it. If it’s too dry, it will wrinkle and crack as you shape the dish. Place the leaves on the clay. Then use the rolling pin to firmly and evenly press the plant sprigs into the clay. Gently remove to expose the impressed pattern.
Cut out a round shape, then fold the edges up with your fingers to form a dish. Smooth the edges very well with your fingers and a damp sponge. You can leave the edge plane, or you can make a pattern like I did on the edge. Use the end of a wooden stick or a pencil to make small indentations.

Set the dish aside to dry completely (a few days). Once dry, paint the dish with diluted watercolor paint. The paint will move in the leaf impressions and continue to spread in the open spaces of the dish, and it will generally lighten up a bit as it dries. I like this subtle “impressionist” feel of the color as it bleeds and spreads, but if you want to control it more, add less paint at a time or use diluted acrylic paint with less water added.

Once the piece is completely dry again, seal the piece and create a glossy finish with the DecoArt Glaze. Brush on an even layer, coating the inside and rim of the dish. This sealer doesn’t show brush strokes and dries with a smooth finish. In the video, the colors looked a bit washed out during the sealer and gold application, but it’s the lighting of the video. You can see the final colors in the end.

After 24 hours, you can apply the liquid gold or brass paint to the edge if desired. #botanical art #diycrafts #makeyourown #clayart
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