Shireena Sculpture process - creating a unique custom wedding cake topper by Carol Shireena Sakai

The sculpture for the wedding cake topper is fired after sculpting the two figures. Although some polymer clay artists fire the clay multiple times to harden elements before going on to the next step - hardened clay stiffens the image. This Artist prefers to keep both figures soft until they are integrated and intertwined. The eyes however are prefired to keep the round shape when sculpting.

After firing, the sculpture is prepared for painting & primed with artist's gesso.

Multiple glazes (thinly applied layers of paint in medium) are applied to achieve depth and complexity in coloration. Although colored polymer clay can be used exclusively to color - the artist prefers to using professional paints. Subtlety of coloration can be created by hand painting - also metallic and irridescent glazes can be used.

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