Premo Dragon Head Sculpting

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Work ‘n Bake Clay Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.
Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

When I first started sculpting with polymer clay I was drawn to mythical creatures because unlike people and real animals no one knows exactly what a mythical creature is supposed to look like we just have ideas. That gave me a lot of freedom to make them look exactly the way I thought they should look. That being said a really good way to start sculpting is to look up reference material, look up images of dragons and decide how you think dragons should look. I’ve laid out step-by-step how I sculpt one of my dragons and I hope you’ll follow along but the next time I hope you’ll make your Dragon have some different features. You can see from my example photos that I tend to make them all look different.

choose the main color of your dragon, it can be any color even scrap clay if you plan on using mica powder. Some great colors for dragons are twinkle twinkle, purple, gold, bronze. Remember adding pearl clay or glitter clay to any color will give it sparkle. Condition the clay, you will need about half the package for the main part of the head and most of the rest for add ons. Roll half the package into a ball and then using the palms of your hand roll it into a cone shape to begin to form the nose of the dragon. Your cone should be between 2 and 3 inches long.

Once you have a cone shape flatten the back of the dragons head. Begin to define the upper jaw and nostril. The rubber end of a sculpey design and style tool is great for making the nostril. Press it in at an angle to form the hole in the nostril and use the side of it to form the edge.

Make an indent for the eye. There are multiple options for the eye, preprinted glass eyes work well and are carried by Micheals and Hobby Lobby. You can use Swarovski or other crystals. Clay eyes can also look great, a wonderful eye can be made by taking a slice of a round cane and putting it on a domed piece of clay. I would pre bake any clay eyes to make sure they don’t get squashed while you work. Once you’ve picked out your eye place it in the indent and take a tiny half moon shaped piece of clay to form the bottom lid. Now take a thicker piece of clay to form the brow. Use a ball stylus to make three indents in the upper lid. The lids make sure the eye is held firmly in place.