Any art that combines two or more materials that ordinarily are not combined is called a "mixed media" piece. Mixed media sculpture that involves clay must be carefully planned in advance. The clay portion of the piece must be prepared before the sculpture is created, because the clay needs to be fired in a kiln. If metal is fired in a kiln with the clay, the metal will be destroyed.
Instructions
1. Plan your sculpture by making sketches of your final product. Determine what parts of the sculpture will be metal and what parts will be clay.
2. Form the clay parts of the sculpture, remembering that you cannot put metal into a kiln. Any clay parts of the sculpture that you form around a metal piece must be detached from the metal for the firing process.
3. Allow the clay to dry, then fire the clay in the kiln.
4. Glaze or paint the clay. Fire it again as needed.
5. Attach the fired clay to the metal parts and assemble the sculpture. If you have used an adhesive to join the clay and metal parts, allow the glue to dry.
6. Paint or decorate the rest of the sculpture. Before you declare your sculpture to be complete, examine the elements of color, form and balance in your sculpture. Make changes or alterations as necessary.
