How to Make a Seated Polymer Clay Dog
A seated dog is a useful clay exercise because broad shapes can suggest the animal without fine fur or standing legs.
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A seated dog is a useful clay exercise because broad shapes can suggest the animal without fine fur or standing legs. Choose one main color and a small contrasting portion for the muzzle. The illustration is a shape reference, not a record of a tested class project.
Prepare the puppy's parts
Lay out a large pear-shaped body, a smaller head, two broad ear portions, two front paws, two low rear feet and a short tail. Add a small muzzle portion only after checking its size against the head. Keep both ears together while shaping so one does not grow much larger than the other.
Join body and head, then establish the feet before adding the ears and muzzle. The front paws should meet the work surface; the ears should rest against the head, and the tail should meet the body or base. Before making eyes, inspect the side view for a head projecting too far forward. Fix that larger relationship before adding facial detail.
Build a body that sits flat
Condition your clay, then form a rounded pear with the broad end on a compatible work surface. Flatten only enough of the underside to stop rocking. Reserve smaller portions for the head, ears, paws and tail before using all the main color.
View the body from the side. Correct a strong lean before adding weight above it. A low, compact body is easier to manage than a tall narrow torso.
Add the muzzle before the ears
Shape a round head with a slightly flattened underside and join it across a broad neck area. Add a short oval muzzle against the front, blending its edge gently. A tiny darker nose can sit on the muzzle; it need not project sharply.
Mark both eye positions lightly and compare their height. Keep the eyes above and beside the muzzle rather than crowded against the nose.
Use supported floppy ears and paws
Flatten two similar rounded teardrops for the ears. Attach them along the sides of the head so they rest against the face or body. Make two short front paws that touch both the torso and the tile. Suggest toes with shallow marks if needed.
A thick tail curled close to the body is simpler than a thin upright tail. Turn the tile to inspect the back without gripping the head.
Review the silhouette, then finish
Check the neck, ear joins and flat underside before following the exact clay's curing instructions. Add only one distinguishing marking on the first attempt. A broad patch can communicate more than many tiny spots.
Compare your result with the cat exercise: the muzzle, ears and posture should explain why one reads as a dog. On your second attempt, change one of those features instead of adding more surface texture.
