Modelling clay is one of the most versatile creative materials around, perfect for sculpture, craft projects, classroom learning, character design, and hands-on creativity for all ages. With smooth textures, easy workability, and a wide range of finishes, clay allows you to shape, build, refine, and bring ideas to life in three dimensions.
Art Shed’s collection of modelling clay features high-quality options from trusted brands including Mont Marte, DAS, Northcote, Fimo, Blackwattle, and Sculpey. The range includes polymer clays, air-dry clays, and oil-based clays, with both professional-grade materials and kid-friendly options available.
Whether you’re creating jewellery, miniatures, sculptures, classroom projects, or reusable models, this collection offers the right clay for every creative goal.
Compare Modelling Clay Types: Polymer, Air-Dry, and Oil-Based
Each type of modelling clay behaves differently, and choosing the right one depends on how permanent you want your work to be and how you plan to use it.
Polymer clay remains soft until it’s baked in a home oven, where it cures into a strong, durable finish. Once hardened, it can be sanded, drilled, painted, and sealed, making it ideal for jewellery, figurines, charms, and small detailed sculptures. Because it doesn’t air-dry, polymer clay gives you unlimited working time to refine shapes before curing.
Air-dry clay hardens naturally when exposed to air, usually within 24–48 hours depending on thickness. It’s non-toxic, lightweight, and easy to work with, making it especially popular for kids’ projects, craft work, decorative pieces, and quick sculptures. While not as strong as polymer clay, it can be painted and sealed once dry for long-lasting results.
Oil-based modelling clay never fully hardens. It stays soft and workable indefinitely, which makes it perfect for stop-motion animation, practice sculpting, mould-making, and reusable models. Because it doesn’t dry out, artists can reshape and reuse it repeatedly without cracking.
Choosing your clay based on whether you need a permanent finish, a quick-drying craft medium, or a reusable sculpting material helps ensure the best results for your project.
The Essential Tools and Accessories for Clay Modelling
While clay can be shaped by hand, the right tools dramatically improve precision, texture, and overall finish.
Sculpting tools, including wooden, plastic, rubber, and metal options, allow you to carve details, smooth surfaces, shape edges, and create textures that are difficult to achieve with fingers alone. Loop tools and fine point tools are especially useful for refining facial features, folds, and small decorative elements.
Rolling pins and clay rollers help flatten clay evenly for slab work, jewellery pieces, and layered designs. Even thickness is particularly important when working with polymer clay to ensure consistent baking.
Cutters and shaping tools make clean edges for charms, ornaments, tiles, and repeated shapes. They’re ideal for craft projects and decorative work.
For polymer clay specifically, conditioning tools such as acrylic rollers or pasta machines soften and warm the clay, improving flexibility and reducing cracking before shaping.
Using proper modelling tools not only improves results but also makes sculpting faster, smoother, and more enjoyable.
Modelling Clay Sets and Value Packs for Every Creative Project
Modelling clay sets are a great way to explore colour, technique, and different project types in one cohesive setup. Curated sets often include a balanced colour palette or a mix of clay types alongside basic tools, making them ideal for beginners and creative experimentation.
Larger value packs are perfect for classrooms, group activities, bulk crafting, and ongoing sculpting projects, offering excellent coverage for high-use environments.
Whether you’re just starting out or working on multiple pieces at once, sets and bulk packs make it easy to keep colours flowing and creativity uninterrupted.