Basic Applicator Tool Name: Basic Applicator Tool Size: 7.25 inches Materials: Hardwood. Uses: A basic applicator and will be your most used tool in the early stages of a sculpt. The plain end has several uses: as an applicator in (especially good in difficult corners, also as a cutter and groover and for accurate shaping. The pointed end cuts and contours while roughing out. Usage frequency: both ends very handy

Small Cutter Name: Small Cutter Size: 5.5 inches Materials: Stainless steel. Uses: This clay modeling tool is for shaping and scraping fine detail especially delicate facial detail and flesh contours. Usage frequency: round end: often, square end: occasionally crucial.

Large Ribbon Cutter Name: Large Ribbon Cutter Size: 7 inches Materials: Stainless steel. Uses: There are many shapes and sizes of ribbon tool around ('ribbon' meaning flat cutting edge - this is NOT a wire tool). The only two ends I have ever used for figure modeling are these two - so I combined them into one tool - one angled, one curved. They take away medium sized slices of clay. Usage frequency: both ends very handy

Scraper Tool Name: Scraper Tool Size: 7 inches Materials: Hardwood. Uses: The pointed end is an essential potter's needle - for cutting, trimming, shaping and making small indents. The scraper end of this clay modeling tool is a clay remover and shaper smoother. The serrated edges give a unique ability to make smooth contours and planes that a non- serrated edge could not. Can be used on concave planes, unlike the basic tool above. Usage frequency: Scraper end - quite often. The pointed end is a sharpened point ideal for squaring off and cutting, especially on the edges of a sculpt.

Fettling Knife Price: $8.80

Round Rasp - 6-Inch

Basics for shaping clay

In order to shape the clay and add details, you will need a few basic tools. These need not be professional grade but they should be of good enough quality to get the job done well. A needle on a stick or a purchased tool of similar design is good for fine lines and details.

A small and medium spatula will allow for moving, shaping and pushing the clay. You can purchase a cuticle tool from a drugstore that will often have a good shape for this. If you have tools for shaping wood, it is easy to make your own spatula.

Above I show some made from wood and also a couple made from the steel rod that was recovered from a discarded printer. The steel was shaped on a belt sander. Small spatulas can also be made from small steel rod or from the pick that comes with a nut cracker. It is not necessary to make your own tools, but it might be wise to keep your costs low until you have made quite a few sculptures.

Professional tools can be expensive and you may buy a lot of things you don't use. My favorite tools relate to the way I work. The tools I made from steel rod are specific to a task, such as the folds in clothing. The small cuticle scalpel is perfect for certain details. Most expensive does not necessarily mean best for your style of shaping clay.