How to Make an Air Dry Clay Ghost Luminary

Watch the video tutorial here!

You'll want a copy of the FREE printable template. You can download it by clicking on the download file  icon below or from the following inset PDF window. 

air_dry_clay_ghost.pdf
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Today we're stepping out of my studio and onto the back patio for an outdoor craft session. Air dry clay is the perfect outdoor medium - portable, washable, and super versatile.  I was super lucky to receive a care package of clay from Creative Paper Clay  a few weeks ago, so it's shaping up to be an air dry clay summer for me! 

Today we're making an adorable little ghost in a witch's hat. The supply list is below and I've also got an Ama2on shopping list here if you want to get the exact products I'm using. 

Supplies:

• A vinyl or plastic surface to work on
• Creative Paper Clay or Das Clay
• 3 ounce paper cups
• A scrap of aluminium foil
• Masking tape
• Some way of making your clay flat. A wooden rolling pin is best, but you could also use a bottle sprinkled with a bit of corn starch.
• A knife and a spoon and/ or sculpting tools of your choice
• a paper nail file or 200 grit sandpaper
• A skinny paintbrush
• A small dish of water
• Some good quality white glue
• Painting supplies

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Step 1:  Gather Your Supplies and Cut out the Template

• Gather up your air dry clay and tools and set up a comfy workplace for yourself. If the weather's good, set up outside!
• Print out the free template, check the scale, and cut out the two template pieces. Set those aside for now.

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Step 2: Prep Your Paper Cup Form

• Take a small paper paper cup (double-up for strength if needed).
• Form a small dome out of aluminium foil that is about the same size as the base of your cup. Push the foil against the table to help smooth and shape it.
• Use masking tape to attach the foil dome to the base of the cup.  TIP: Use long tape. Run it over the foil, down the sides of the cup, and tuck the ends inside.

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Step 3: Prep Your Clay Slab

• It's important to work on a firm plastic surface. I use a placemat I got from dollar tree, but you can find something similar here. 
• Knead your clay to soften it, then press it out into a pancake.
• Use a wooden roller to slowly roll the clay into a sheet about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thick.
• Flip and rotate the clay as you roll to prevent it from sticking to the placemat or the roller. 

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Step 4: Use Template to Cut Out the Ghost Body

• Place your paper template onto the clay slab
• Cut around the template with a craft-dedicated paring knife or other craft knife of your choice.
• Gather your scraps, dampen them slightly, and seal them in a plastic bag to reuse later.

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Step 5: Prep the Edges for Gluing

• Use your thumb or finger to gently squish down the right edge of the wedge shape. Use the tip of your knife to scratch into the surface of this squished edge. (This scratching helps the glue adhere later.)
• Flip the wedge over and repeat the squishing and scratching on the right edge again.

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Step 6: Form the Cone

• Gently pick up the  clay and add a bit of white glue to the scratched areas. NOTE: You can only use white glue as a clay adhesive on this paper-based air dry clay. This won't work on all clay types.
• Overlap the scratched areas. Support the shape from inside as you compress the seam with the side of your knife or the back of your spoon.

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Step 7: Get Some Support

• Gently slide your cup and foil form into the ghost cone.
• Refine the seam using the back of the spoon or a slightly damp finger. TIP: Use water sparingly! Too much water = soggy clay = cracks later. Only use a tiny bit!

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Step 8: Add a Curve to the Ghost's Hat

• Use the back of your knife to press an X or two into the top of the cone. I usually do this over the seam
• Use a tiny bit of water on the side of the cone opposite the X and slowly bend the tip of the cone into a gentle curve.

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Step 9: Make the Hat Brim

• Roll out another small slab of clay. 
• Use the template and your knife to cut out the donut shape that will become the hat's brim.
• Place a bit of white glue onto the inside of the donut, then slide it over the top of the hat and gently set it in place.
• Roll out a snake of clay, wrap it around the hat and either blend it in or leave it as a feature.
• Pinch the brim gently with slightly wet fingers to soften the cut edge.

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Step 10: Shape the Bottom of the Ghost

• Use a tiny bit of water and your fingers to pinch and pull the base of the cone outwards. TIP: You can remove the form if needed to make the shaping easier.
• Create a flowing, ruffled edge all around the base of the cone/ ghost

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Step 11: Eye Holes and Drying

• Use the end of the paintbrush to poke some eyeholes into your ghost.
• Gently wiggle the paintbrush up and down to give the eyes that classically spooky oval shape.
• Double-check that the form isn't stuck inside your ghost. If it's sticking, try giving the form a gentle twist as you pull it out, that should help.
• Let the ghost dry on the un-stuck form for about an hour or two. Remove the form for the duration of the drying. Let the ghost dry completely for 1-2 days away from direct sun.

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Step 12: Sand and Paint

• Once dry, you can smooth any rough spots on your ghost with a paper nail file. I use these ones. TIP: Always protect your lungs when sanding!
• Clean your work space and your ghost with a damp cloth before painting. Paint hates dust!
• Paint the hat with a coat or two of black acrylic paint.  I used this one.
• I achieved the vintage floral bedsheet look by using watercolours directly on the dry clay. The 8-well Prang student set is a great affordable set that performs very well for the price. (But throw out the brush it comes with!)

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Step 13: Light it Up!

• Grab a battery-operated tea light or votive candle and pop it inside your ghost.
• Enjoy your whimsical, spooky ghost luminary for Summerween, Halloween, or all year round!

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If you make an air dry clay ghost based on this tutorial,  it would make my day if you’d share it with me. I’m @JaneSawyerMakes on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Threads,  and Twitter (X). Find lots of other budget-friendly art projects on my YouTube Channel. Please share and pin this article!