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Here is WEE JEST (The hands and Tiny Jester): Part three of this four part series

This part of Wee Jest: (The hands and tiny jester) has been separated into four sections to make it simple to follow. We will begin by making the tiny jester that is in the jester’s hand and then a set of hands.

This is a fun tutorial on making simple hands and something new for you to learn!

This is a confidence building series and now that you are getting the feeling of handling polymer clay as an art material this should begin to open doors for your own ideas and spark your imagination.

• These four tutorials below will finish the “building” section of the WEE JEST and then you will be ready to finish with the pattern, costume and sewing next week.
• The instructions are easy to follow
• Simple to prepare
• Let’s get started

Here is the link to the first post and tutorial for WEE JEST : PART 1

Here is the link to the second post and tutorial for WEE JEST : PART 2

Things you will need for Wee Jest: (The hands and tiny jester)

• Polymer clay: a blend or beige and black. I use Premo by Scupey for teaching
• Sculpting tools
• Straight pin
• Exacto knife
• Small shish kabob stick cut to 1 ½”
• Makeup or chalk pastels various colours of your choice
• Brushes for putting the colour on to the clay
• Wire for posting the arms ( approx 16 gauge)

Now we begin:

• Mix and condition your clay: see here for the tutorial on how
• Start with a ball of neutral clay about the size of a small marble                       
• Form the tiny jester following the instructions on the first tutorial
• Detail as you wish

https://youtu.be/pQR4gcoKY-4

Prepare two larger balls for the hands about the size of large marbles

• Make the shape for the thumbs
• Form the end of the balls into a flat paddle shape (see tutorial) for the hands
• Divide the shapes into three fingers using an exacto knife
• Smooth the fingers gently and lengthen them into the right thickness
• Remove the extra clay for the length of the fingers and smooth the ends into finger tips
• Add the thumbs and smooth into place
• Animate the hands as you wish and pinch the finger tips upwards to create energy flowing into the fingers and hands
• Form the wrists and stretch the clay above the wrist to create the forearms

Now we put in some support using wire

• Slide a wire post gently into the arm stopping at the wrist
• Reshape the animation of the hand and on one hand place the tiny jester into the hand
• Add the small rings at the top of the arms

Now you are ready to colour your pieces

• Using your makeup and pigments colour the hands first
• Carefully colour the tiny jester being watchful not to drop loose powder onto the hands if possible
• Cure and finish your hands
• Pan Pastels are amazing for intense colours.

Click here for printable notes.

Next week we will be making the simple costume that pulls it all together!

In preparation you can look for fabric and ribbon for your costume. Use stretch fabric for the costume to make your next job easier. STAY TUNED!!!