How To Make A Polymer Clay Orangutan

Orangutans are fun to make, I find them quicker and easier than babies, but that's just me. In this page I will show you how to make a fun mini orangutan. The aim here is not for realism, although there are some amazing artists around who make wonderfully realistic orangutans. With my mini orangutans I aim for cuteness more than realism, the cheekier the better and with a definite human quality to them. Although it's not very true to life, I like to dress them, as again it adds to their character and makes them more appealing.
You will need:
Foil
Black beads( from your local craft shop)
Polymer clay(Fimo or sculpey are probably the best if you are new to it, but in my opinion Prosculpt gives the best results. Click the Prosculpt photo to go to my favourite supplier)
Auburn mohair ( easy to find on ebay)
Paints...I use genesis heat sets, but acrylics work well too.
Pva or tacky glue

So..let's get going. First of all you need to make a small ball of foil, how big is up to you. Then you need to cover it with clay, this will form the base for your monkey's head. It helps to have a photo of an orangutan in front of you for reference, like babies, they have quite large foreheads, so shape your head accordingly. At this stage I always stick a handle of some kind into the head, here I'm using a crochet hook, but pencils work well too. Next you need to add the eyes, I like to use shiny black beads, although in some of my monkeys I've used teddy bear eyes. Once the eyes are in place, roll a smaller ball, then press one side flat, to make a little half sphere. This is the snout or muzzle of your monkey, press it onto the face below the eyes and smooth the edges in, blending until it becomes one with the head. Blend up between the eyes too. Add a small ball for the nose, shape it and add nostrils. Orangutans have lots of wrinkles around their eyes so roll thin sausages of clay and surround the eyes with them. Run small sausages from the corners of the eyes to the cheeks too, then get blending again.

Once it's blended, you need to use your thin tool to mark folds and wrinkles around and below the eyes. Next, take a flat edged tool and make a slit for the mouth, then shape the lips and mouth cavitiy. I've given this little one a set of teeth using the tip of a pin to score the lines dividing the teeth. At this point you need to add some clay to build up the neck, blending it well to the head. Use a crochet hook make a channel where the neck will attach to the body, and trim the clay below.
Now you're nearly there, you just need to make some ears. Take 2 small balls of clay, flatten and add to sides of head . Blend at front edges, then squash and blend around the back and underneath to form the cups of the ears. Use your thin tool to score the lines of the ear ridges, and poke a hole where the ear hole would be. Use your craft knife to scoop out the excess clay from inside the ear, then smooth it all.
There, now you're finished, and ready to bake! Pre-heat your oven to 120 deg, or whatever is specified on your pack of clay. Use a small baking tray or sandwich tin and line with a little wadding. This is to stop flat edges and shiny patches from developing if the clay is in contact with the metal. Baking time is 15 mins for every 1/4", I'm baking this little one for 15 mins. Next: Painting Your Sculpt

Abigail's Angels

How To Make A Polymer Clay Orangutan