Sculpting Hands in Polymer Clay Tutorial

How to make graceful hands for polymer clay dolls

You will need polymer clay (I prefer harder types of clay because it’s easier to make tiny details such as fingers; however very hard clays can be difficult to smooth), a wooden tool (try to stay away from metal tools as they make your clay dirty), a medium/soft brush to clean and smooth, a sharp carving knife, a needle tool (you can use a sewing needle if you don’t have the tool) and a small stylus.

Shape a small rectangle and make 4 somewhat equal cuts. Don’t need to make them long, we’ll do that later.

Cut a small triangle from each finger and make them look like carrots J

Some fingers might be a bit too fat, so trim the edges with a carving knife to make them a little more defined.

Roll and shape each “carrot” with your fingers. Be careful, it’s easy to tear them off!

Pull and stretch each finger to make them slim.

BOO! No, we’re not making a Halloween monster, let me finish! J

Cut about half off the fingers to about 2/3 to the final length.

Roll and shape again with your fingers.

Trim away extra “fat”

Your hand should look somewhat like this now.

With a wooden tool indicate the bones you want to show. You don’t need to do this if you’re making a child’s hand or a chubby person. Showing bones make your hand look more fragile and feminine. And if you’re sculpting an older person, make the bones more pronounced.

Now turn your hand palm up and make a dimple for the thumb.

Here is your thumb. Make a short cut at about 1/3 of the thick side of the thumb.

Position the thumb. The thick side goes on the palm side.

Attach with a tool. I used a wooden tool.

For the index and the middle fingers make tiny balls of clay to form the bones.

Attach with a tool and spend some time smoothing and shaping with a brush. You can dip your brush in alcohol to make smoothing a little easier. Draw nails and lines with a needle tool. Use your own hand for reference.

Tadaaaaa! We’re done!