Polymer clay fox tutorial: painting

Step 1: How to fix polymer clay cracks

-    Remove the support armature under the fox’s foot using side cutters

-    Cut the remaining armature flush to the base with a hacksaw

-    Check for any cracks in the polymer clay

-    Use moulding paste to fill any cracks

-    Smooth the surface with a flat paintbrush and allow it to dry

-    Speed up drying with a hairdryer, if needed

Step 2: Underpainting

-    Mix Payne’s Grey + Burnt Umber with a touch of water

-    Apply a thin coat over the sculpture as an underpainting and primer

-    This helps define tones and texture and makes later paint layers adhere better

Step 3: Painting fur

-    Mix Titanium White + Yellow Ochre

-    Use a dry brush technique:

     -    Load the brush, then wipe off excess on a paper towel

     -    Lightly apply paint, avoiding the grooves in the fur

     -    Leave the tail tip, tail base, ears, and legs darker

-    Darken the mix with Burnt Umber and apply to the underside of the belly

-    Glaze a watery Burnt Umber over the fur to add warmth

Step 4: Detail painting

-    Mix White + Pink + a touch of Burnt Umber

-    Add a little water for a smooth flow

-    Paint the nose and paw pads carefully

Step 5: Creating a sandy base

-    Spread Sand Texture Medium with a palette knife over the base

-    Smooth the medium around the feet using a paintbrush

-    Press in paw prints with the end of a paintbrush before the sand dries

-    Let the texture dry completely

-    Alternatively, you can apply a coat of PVA glue and sprinkle fine sand over the surface (but you won’t be able to make the pawprints)

Step 6: How to paint sand 

-    Mix Orange + Raw Sienna + Titanium White to create a warm peach tone

-    Apply to the base and sides of the sculpture for a natural desert effect

-    Check for any areas needing extra shading or highlights

-    Ensure the textures and tones feel natural

And Wallah! Your painted polymer clay fennec fox is complete 🦊🎨