How to Make a Standing Tiger Out of Clay

Co-authored by Deanna Ranlett

Last Updated: June 15, 2022

Making a clay tiger is an easy and fun project! In this article, we'll walk you through the entire process for forming a standing tiger out of clay, including the clay colors you'll need and what details you can add to make your clay tiger really stand out. Read on for our complete guide!

1

Find a flat, clean workspace.

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If you create it on a bumpy surface, the tiger might look bumpy or some parts smaller than the other, for example, the head is bumpy or one leg is bigger than the other.

2

Start with a big piece of orange clay.

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Then, shape it into a rectangular prism and round the edges to help it look like a tiger's body.

3

Roll a smaller piece of orange clay into a ball.

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This will be the tiger's head. Stick the head at the end of the body with a toothpick. To stick the head on, break a toothpick in half, then poke one of the halves of the toothpick in the place you're going to put the head. Stick the head onto the toothpick.
- The toothpick will help the head stay and not fall off. Don't let any of the toothpick show up at the bottom, and make sure the toothpick doesn't stick out.

4

Roll 2 small yellow balls of clay.

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Poke small holes in them.

5

Roll another small ball of yellow clay.

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You will see a mouth form.

6

Roll 2 small orange pieces of clay into balls for the ears.

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Stick them on top of the head, one on the left, one on the right.

7

Flatten 2 smaller pieces of black clay.

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These will show the inside of the ear.

8

Make eyes using 2 small balls of black clay.

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9

Add a nose using pink or black clay.

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Stick it in the high middle of the snout (where the muzzle and mouth are).

10

Make front legs by rolling 2 cylinders of orange clay.

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Bend the end for paws. If you'd like, you can add pads and/or claws.

11

Make back legs by rolling 2 cylinders of orange clay.

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Stick the legs to the back sides of the body.

12

Make a tail by rolling a thin cylinder of orange clay.

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Stick it where the bottom will be.

13

Make lots of strips of black clay.

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) for stripes.

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Question

How do I make a real looking tiger?

Community Answer

Try adding some features like a more detailed face and more stripes. You could add whiskers by cutting small pieces of cord and sticking them into the clay before it dries.

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How could I add a mane for a lion?

Community Answer

Add some extra clay around the neck and spread it out to look like a mane.

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Tips

Use a toothpick to hold the head in place.

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Make sure you don't put too many stripes on the face, or it may block the eyes and/or nose.

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You can also make a sitting tiger if you'd like.

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Warnings

Do not cook clay that can't be cooked in the oven! It may cause a bad smell if it melts, or even a fire! Read the clay instructions before cooking first.

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