Mid-late last year I converted from polymer clay to airdry for multiple reasons: 1. It's not plastic, which is important to me. 2. The price, it's so much cheaper. 3. The end result feels more luxurious some how? Closer to ceramics rather than plastic. 4. It's really fun to work with, with the soft consistency, and if it's an airdry earth clay, that's even more fun! 5. You can paint watercolour and gouache (I want to avoid acrylics for the same reason that it's plastic) on it with no primer or hastle! This is because it soaks into the pouris clay and dries, rather than sitting on top like polymer clay. Anyway, those are my reasons, I don't know if anyone else will find them useful/interesting?
You have really good points! After filming this video i did find myself reaching more for the air dry clay to be honest. I just feel i need to make it more durable using resin. Polymer clay is indeed very expensive for such a tiny amount and honestly it's hard to shape. And yes the whole plastic thing i didn't even consider until now. So thanks for sharing your thoughts :D
you can also color air dry clay yourself! i use air dry clay to make miniatures, and use a drop or two of acrylic paint kneaded into each clay ball creates great colors. It won't be as vivid, but you can easily customize the colors you want without affecting the qualities of air dry clay.
Do you think mica powder might work to colour it too? Or would that affect the consistency? And how intricate can you get with your miniatures Vs polymer clay? I'm new to air dry clay & need to work at very small scale eg 2-4mm flowers & leaves
Hey, I'm so thankfull that you created this.. there are many tutorials about making pins using clay, but only yours came up with comparative between these two kinds of clay..
I'm glad you mentioned sanding the air dry clay in this video, that's all I really needed to know. I don't need my item to be durable for a long time, but I do need to sand it! Wasn't sure if air dry clays even got hard enough for that. My clay experience is solely with stoneware clay
Im actually still indecisive with my airdry clay. People ive watched seems to show that polymer is better in all aspect, but upon seeing your video. Yeah, i guess you are right. They both have their own pros and cons but I do feel like I a really am more comfortable with air dry clay. Thank you.
I just think it comes down to personal preference. I like air dry clay because i am more used to it and it's more inexpensive. But polymer is pretty cool also :D
@@zenaneah it depends on what u are making, If u are making stuff like keychains/jewellery/charms I think air dry clay is pretty good! (In terms of quality and money) But if u are interested in making something to use in ur day-to-day life I would say polymer clay, she also did mention in the video that air dry clay might break
I actually switched from air dry to polymer clay, because it holds the tiniest details so well, is much more durable, doesn't shrink, and is a dream to work with in comparison to the soft air dry clay. I think it really depends on the type of project you're making. I get my polymer clay (I use cernit as well) in blocks of 500 grams, just like the air dry clay. In bulk it's cheaper than the tiny blocks. Also, when you condition your polymer clay sufficiently, there's usually no need for extra products to make it softer, especially with a new block. Adding oil can actually make it stickier and harder to work with. All I use is some rubbing alcohol after sculpting to remove fingerprints, and smooth surfaces. For a project like this, a flat surface to paint on, I'd probably choose air dry as well. For intricate sculpting, it's polymer clay all the way! 😄 I looove your painting style btw. Just found your channel, and I'm diving into your videos now.
Thank you so much!! :D I am not very good with sculpting so that's why i probably prefer air dry clay. I need to revisit polymer clay however. I feel there is so much undiscovered potential there :D Thank you so much for your helpful and lovely comment ❤️
@@AncaPoraIllustration If you ever decide to revisit it, I'd love to see what an amazing artist like you could accomplish with polymer clay! It's such a versatile medium. You can even paint with it, that might be right up your alley. Look up the channel Artistic Variations on YT if you have the time, my mind was blown when I first saw her polymer clay paintings.
I am new to working with these products so I looked forward to reviewing your video. I thought the look was good, however my complaint of it is that you don't leave your dialog, the point of having a tutorial video, up long enough to read. Your instructions are visual. You don't speak, so you are expecting the viewer to see your actions AND read the material within seconds of it appearing on the screen. Very tiring, and after a while, not worth the effort. Sorry to be blunt. But I got more info from the comments section. I was looking forward to getting more info from YOU. Could you either redo or fix it? Thanks.
I would recommend using polyurethane varnish for polymer clay. You can find it both in gloss or matte finish. I use the brand Duraclear. More and more, though, I see people use UV resin to glaze their pieces, either by using a lamp or a special lantern to harden it (like the ones that are used for nails) or letting the piece dry in the sun. This method is quite fast, maybe around five minutes if you’re using the lamp. If it’s a flat piece, like the keychains you made, and you want it to have a coat of 1-2 mm thick (kind of creating a dome) you can use a special resin for that. I have only tried the brand Cleopatre Glass Lack (it takes about 24 hours to dry completely), but a lot of people use the one by Lisa Pavelka Magic Gloss (I think this one is a UV resin). The pieces look really well with the doming effect, very shiny and glossy. And you can pierce the resin using a hand drill, by the way. I hope you find this helpful! (I apologise for any mistakes in English)
Resin is toxic. If anyone is going to use it, please read the warning labels on the containers. There's a reason the labels are so big and prominent. You need hand protection, eye protection, and a well ventilated space or a good mask if you're going to work with resin. And resin gives off toxic fumes until it is fully cured, which takes at least 24 to 48 hours. The fumes from resin quietly damage the body and by the time a person realizes they're not okay, the damage is quite extensive.
Thanks for doing a side by side comparison. I have seen people show one and make reference to the other so it was nice actually see how they do compare. Again thank you have a good week.
Thank you for the video! I want to make my own watercolour palette using clay, but was not sure if I can use air dry clay for it (I don’t have oven sadly).
I am thinking you could make one if you use a waterproof varnish. Maybe i will try to make one also as iwas thinking about it for a long time and see if it actually works in a future video
i feel like this is a great video. i feel like you can use both for diffrent reasons. i would say if your making jewelry or figureings then i think it would be a good choice to use the polymer if you want a more of a durable lasting item. an u can also use the air dry if you want to make a delect sulpture or something that you know that it needs more care. so i think their both great depending on what you are using it for. i love it !
Hi! I've been wanting to make some jewellery using clay for a while but I've been confused on whether to use polymer clay or air dry clay. Which one would be better according to you, based on lightness(especially), durability and ease of painting as a whole? I am a beginner. Thank you so much! Loved the video!
From my experience air dry is lighter but is also more prone to breakage. Most people use polymer clay for jewelry as i think it's more durable. I personally like air dry clay more but i make other types of projects with it.
I much prefer air dry, specifically cold porcelain, for a few reasons: 1. Infinitely way fucking cheaper and, considering where I live, incredibily more easy to get. 2. If you want it in different colors you can grab the cheapest paints you have, use the tiniest drop and kneed it until it changes. 3. You get way more material in one single package. 4. You can use water to smooth thing out and then glued them together with white glue, which is also pretty cheap. 5. Not easy to break, at least the ones I have used. Some of my figurines end up falling over or on the floor and nothing happened to them. I am talking both big figurines and small ones. 6. I don't trust myself to not burnt it on the oven so it's way easier just let it harden on it's own. 7. The fact that is more time consuming is a plus for me, honestly, because it allows you to relax and take your time.
Yes i agree 100 % :D These are some of the reason i reach for air dry clay more the polymer :D The main thing is the price. I just feel that polymer clay is a bit too up there in price. Thank you for listing these reasons :D
Is cold porcelain more durable than air dry clay? I want to make earrings, which type of clay is more suitable and durable in your opinion? (Polymer clay is too expensive for me)
They both look equally gorgeous with their unique finish!! I have quite a few 1kg blocks of air dry clay... I got them on sale late last year and they're 2 for the price of 1 at that time. lol! *Help* >< The only negative thing about air dry clay for me is that it can be very fragile after it is cured. Thank you for your video and yes, it is helpful! Also, is the gouache varnish water resistant? I found that when I used acrylic water-based sealer and tripe thick glaze they tend to end up a bit tacky even after it is dried for a long time, especially during hot/humid weather. The only thing so far that worked for me is the polyurethane gloss varnish (I use Jo Sonja brand, Australian based company). I also have the Liquitex gloss varnish which I will try as well.
The gouache varnish is indeed a bit tacky after it dries, but it is water resistant. I find that the tackiness does go away in time . I will look into the Jo Sonja varnish you mentioned :D . Thank you for your comment :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration Thanks for your reply regarding the gouache varnish. Looks like I will have to stick with the Jo Sonja polyurethane varnish for now as it is non-yellowing, permanent and for indoor/outdoor. I think any polyurethane varnish would work as long as it has the same qualities once cured/dried. :)
That was very pleasing to watch, and those charms came out so cute. The colours were just lovely. And the information was very helpful, as I've been considering trying out clay for a while now.
LOVE!!!! So cute! Great video. I had to watch it more then once to read everything you put in the screen and then again to just watch you create. Loved it! Thanks
Thank you so so much for this video. I am just starting out with clay and I got to 2 blocks of polymer clay to try my hands on. But to my surprise (and disappointment) I am ending up using one 60 gm block for one project...if I keep the thickness in mind. So I wanted to understand the comparison and if I can try air dry clay next. You have helped me so much. Thanks a lot again! May you do very well
My pleasure! I personally find air dry clay easier to work with and get really fine details with it. It is however more sensitive then polymer. It depends on your personal preferences really
I think it is safe as long as you leave the oven open after using it and also a window near by. I had no issues and since they suggest to bake it in the oven i am guessing it shouldn't be toxic or anything.
The gesso is not necessary but it gives the clay a more grippy texture similar to paper which i preffer. You can totally skip that step if you wish. As long as you coat your clay piece entirely in paint. Otherwishe the colors might turn a bit yellow from varnishing. Hope that makes sense
I think the base layer of paint would go a hell of a lot more quickly if you got spraypaint primer which comes in lots of different colors and did the whole lot at once outside on a piece of cardboard. It can also be sanded between layers too if needed. Just make sure not to do it on a cold or humid day and apply thin layers. I am pretty sure that the oil that you added to your polymer clay is the reason your varnish is not drying as well on the polymer clay.
Clay Charms are nice but when clay charms were a big thing about 20 years ago on Flickr when everyone wanted to make cupcake rings we didn’t realize how quickly the Polymer clay charms will crumble if you live in humid environment. This is even if you’ve painted a varnish on them.
I don't have too much experience with polymer but I am guessing it is much more resistant then air dry clay let's say. But I don't think these types of clay are meant to last for over 20 years. If you want to make life long objects then it's probably best to look into ceramics
I use the air dry clay from sculpy. And sometimes I paint it before it dries.Or paint the clay before. Also ,I have never use polymer , it's more expensive.
Very helpful video just one question doesnt air dry clay shrink? And can you please make another video on how to make marble pattern using air dry clay
The sandpaper is a 120 grit one I think. The paint I used which is acrylic gouache didn't crack on it but it was a bit difficult to get an even layer. Hope this helps :D
Thank you for this! I've been wanting to try DIY clay earrings but was really torn between polymer and airdry. After watching your video, I'm really going now to airdry clay. Thank you!
Something like a Sculpey gloss varnish would work better on polymer clay, it’s designed to go onto polymer clays so dries faster. But it is more viscous, so you only need to put a thin layer on or it can pool in places and dry a little cloudy.
I did buy a varnish made especially for polymer clay after filming this. It's true it does dry a bit cloudy in some areas. I think resin is the way to go from what i have seen
Anca Pora Illustration resin is a good idea! I wonder if you could use UV resin if you’re only doing a very thin layer? Though from what I’ve seen you really need good ventilation for most resin, especially UV, or it’ll give you quite the headache.
Thank you! I am glad you think so! I have heard of mod podge however i have never used it. I think it would work for sealing. But I can't really find it here in Romania
Thanks so much for this! Can you use normal acrylics on the polymer clay or does it have to be gouache? And it looked like painting was easier once you had one layer of paint, is that right? Thanks!
Yes i think actually acrylics would work better actually . I just use gouache as i like it more then acrylics. It definitely was easier once i got that initial layer of paint on
Thank you Luisa! I would say that polymer clay is more durable . Since it is baked and it has plastic polymers which melt together while being baked i think it''s very unlikely it will break. As opposed to air dry clay
@@AncaPoraIllustration have you by any chance mixed a bit of air dry clay with glue? The white kind one used at school? It might make it more durable I think
@@ctnsakinah nah I actually forgot about this, with being a Venezuelan immigrant and all what's going on trying to avoid covid these days 😅😂 and I'm more of an airbrush/watercolor/mixed media artist
I use gesso mostly because of the varnish i use at the end. The varnish will turn the clay into a yellowish colour if there is no gesso. But you could also prime it with white acrylic or really any acrylic :D It works just as well
thank you so much for this video! i just started using air dry clay and tried white gesso for the base, but it ended up peeling off. do you know what might have gone wrong?
I am so sorry about that. Gesso is not a necessary step in this and you could try painting without it especially if you are using acrylic paints. I have not had this happen but it might just depend on the gesso. Maybe try layering it in thin layers
Can I ask why you do a base coat of gauche first (I didn’t realise this was necessary for painting air dry clay) and why it’s an advantage to use the waterproof gauche paint (instead of just acrylic paint)?
It is not necessary so you can totally skip it especially if you are using acrylic paint. I personally use the base coat because when I varnish my piece if there is any area that is not covered by paint then that will turn yellow from the varnish. Also it makes the surface more paper like and easier to paint. As for why I prefer gouache I just feel I have better control with gouache then acrylic. It's a personal choice
I’m planing on making it with miya gouache but I don’t have any knowledge of clay making. Need to ask question, do you know what to use for top coat or varnish? As gouache it’s water soluble, I don’t know anything that can works with it without getting ruined? But! Really love your videos! It definitely help me in some way!!
Air dry clay is a bit lighter however i think you can use either one for jewellery. It really depends which you prefer to work with :D I see a lot more jewellery made from polymer clay :D
You can use rubbing alcohol on oven bake clay to make it softer.... I mix it in with any new box I get and it stays soft and malleable (I think that's the word I'm looking for lol) I hope this helps....
Yo creo que no tienen comparación, son materiales muy distintos depende del proyecto final, la pasta es más divertida por su parecido a la cerámica pero la arcilla polimérica es más duradera!
Hi, thank you for uploading this video ❤ Is art dry clay approaching for jewelry? I make pendants and they must be really hard at the end which I manage to achieve with polymer clay but the part with the baking is really smelly and probably toxic. What do you recommend? Thank you in advance 🤗
I have actually made some stud earring since filming this video and they are pretty sturdy.I also prefer air dry clay for the same reasons. So I think you could use air dry clay for smaller pieces without it breaking. Here is the video of making the earrings if you are interested ruclips.net/video/Whp8tNvvdfk/видео.html
I've decided to go with air dry clay. What type of paint should I buy, size of sandpaper and what finisher or sealer should I use on top??? Is gesso mandatory under the paint for air dry? Thanks a lot in advance
Hi there! :D I usually use fine sand paper with around 120 grit. The sealer on top is a gouache gloss varnish from Maimeri. Gesso is not mandatory especially if you are using acrylic paints instead of gouache. However I personally use it because the paint adheres better and the gouache gloss varnish tends to make any area that is not painted a yellowish color. So the gesso prevents that from happening. Hope this helps
thank you so much! really love your tutorials :) i had to go with air dry as i love how it has that "clay feel". polymer just looks plastiky in my opinion :")
Thank you ! I actually made some jewellery dishes from air dry clay and send one through to post office and it arrived intact. So air dry clay i think might be a good option. Polymer clay i feel might work too but i haven't tried making anything like that :D
I feel like any clay should work, but if you really want durable, here are some tips for different clays! For airdry clays, try coating it with a resin (can be expensive) or a thick and hard top coat. This'll just help prevent any breaking, because the airdry clays are more fragile than others, especially when thin. For polymer clay, it should be really strong as it is, as it hardens into a plastic, but if you really want to go that extra step, resin. I would reccomend a clay that you fire (eg. stoneware, porcelain or earthenware) and then glaze, as they are strong and very nice to work with and own the final pieces (though I can understand that that's not the most accessible option for everyone)! Hope these kinda helped?
Hi just wanted yo ask if polymer clay can crack to like air dry clay while sculpting? When i sculp using air dry clay it always cracking and it got hard faster . So i was thinking to change in polymer clay are they they same ?
I don't have too much experience with polymer but from what I know it shouldn't crack as it is basically plastic. Maybe try using a different brand of air dry clay :D
I have a question: Is air dry clay brittle? I mean will the finished product break if it falls or if pressure is applied? Also which clay is better to make pins?
It's definitely more prone to break rather then polymer clay. Polymer clay is basically plastic and air dry clay has a more ceramic feel to it but it is a bit lighter. It really depends what you prefer. You can make pins out of both of them really.
I really find this video so helpful for someone like me who doesn't have an oven to bake the clays with. Thank you so much!!
Awesome :D Glad i could help :D
Do you have working electricity? If so, you can probably get lucky finding a toaster oven in the goodwill store 💖 that's where I got mines
@@m3tr0idgrl we have toaster oven. But will it work on polymer clays?
@@jandenissebelen8211 💖 ruclips.net/video/NUSy6gR6CzU/видео.html
I have an oven but clay could be toxic or something so I don't want to mess something up
Mid-late last year I converted from polymer clay to airdry for multiple reasons:
1. It's not plastic, which is important to me.
2. The price, it's so much cheaper.
3. The end result feels more luxurious some how? Closer to ceramics rather than plastic.
4. It's really fun to work with, with the soft consistency, and if it's an airdry earth clay, that's even more fun!
5. You can paint watercolour and gouache (I want to avoid acrylics for the same reason that it's plastic) on it with no primer or hastle! This is because it soaks into the pouris clay and dries, rather than sitting on top like polymer clay.
Anyway, those are my reasons, I don't know if anyone else will find them useful/interesting?
You have really good points! After filming this video i did find myself reaching more for the air dry clay to be honest. I just feel i need to make it more durable using resin. Polymer clay is indeed very expensive for such a tiny amount and honestly it's hard to shape. And yes the whole plastic thing i didn't even consider until now. So thanks for sharing your thoughts :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration aah you're welcome! ☺️
Ditto! :) Thank you for your list of reasons! Helps me justify staying put with air dry clay instead of polymer clay.
@@JojosCraftyLove aw yay glad I could help (^o^)
Is it easy to break when i want it to be a keychain?
As someone just starting out getting into clay this was pretty helpful
Thank you! I am so glad to hear that!
You can let your piece dry and use a damp sponge on the air dry clay to smooth it, and cut down on the mess sanding creates.
Owh thank you for the tip. I will use it with my next project ♥
Dumb question, but does that mean the clay can deform if it got wet (e.g.? spilt drink)
@@theailona yes too much water will dissolve most air dry clays, especially paper clay.
@@AncaPoraIllustration Dry clay or polymer clay are the best.plz reply me
you can also color air dry clay yourself! i use air dry clay to make miniatures, and use a drop or two of acrylic paint kneaded into each clay ball creates great colors. It won't be as vivid, but you can easily customize the colors you want without affecting the qualities of air dry clay.
Owh interesting idea. I need to try it. Thank you for the tip :D
That's a genius idea! Thank you so much for the tip (:
I tried adding arcylic paint to the Darwi Clay but like you said its not vivid. Plus the colour is streaky. A lot of kneading.
Do you think mica powder might work to colour it too? Or would that affect the consistency? And how intricate can you get with your miniatures Vs polymer clay? I'm new to air dry clay & need to work at very small scale eg 2-4mm flowers & leaves
@@hannahmitchell87 Mica powders are a very light way of colouring but yes they will work!
Thank you for that. Very helpful . One big advantage of air dry clay is that it is not plastic and therefore more eco friendly.
Great point! I do prefer using air dry clay usually :D
Hey, I'm so thankfull that you created this..
there are many tutorials about making pins using clay, but only yours came up with comparative between these two kinds of clay..
:D Yay ! I wanted to do a video comparing them as i was personally curious about this . So i am glad i get to help others
I'm glad you mentioned sanding the air dry clay in this video, that's all I really needed to know. I don't need my item to be durable for a long time, but I do need to sand it! Wasn't sure if air dry clays even got hard enough for that. My clay experience is solely with stoneware clay
Yup it does get pretty hard. but i would recommend you let it dry for at least two days :D
What an interesting and fun tutorial. I have both kinds on hand but haven't tried them yet. Thanks for the inspiration!
My pleasure :D Maybe start with the polymer clay as it isn't so time consuming
Im actually still indecisive with my airdry clay. People ive watched seems to show that polymer is better in all aspect, but upon seeing your video. Yeah, i guess you are right. They both have their own pros and cons but I do feel like I a really am more comfortable with air dry clay. Thank you.
I just think it comes down to personal preference. I like air dry clay because i am more used to it and it's more inexpensive. But polymer is pretty cool also :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration but in terms of durability which would you choose over?
@@zenaneah it depends on what u are making,
If u are making stuff like keychains/jewellery/charms I think air dry clay is pretty good! (In terms of quality and money)
But if u are interested in making something to use in ur day-to-day life I would say polymer clay, she also did mention in the video that air dry clay might break
Just add acrylic paint to your air dry clay 🤯 now you’ve got a variety of colors 🎨
I need to try that in the future. Thanks for the tip :D
I actually switched from air dry to polymer clay, because it holds the tiniest details so well, is much more durable, doesn't shrink, and is a dream to work with in comparison to the soft air dry clay. I think it really depends on the type of project you're making.
I get my polymer clay (I use cernit as well) in blocks of 500 grams, just like the air dry clay. In bulk it's cheaper than the tiny blocks.
Also, when you condition your polymer clay sufficiently, there's usually no need for extra products to make it softer, especially with a new block. Adding oil can actually make it stickier and harder to work with. All I use is some rubbing alcohol after sculpting to remove fingerprints, and smooth surfaces.
For a project like this, a flat surface to paint on, I'd probably choose air dry as well. For intricate sculpting, it's polymer clay all the way! 😄
I looove your painting style btw. Just found your channel, and I'm diving into your videos now.
Thank you so much!! :D I am not very good with sculpting so that's why i probably prefer air dry clay. I need to revisit polymer clay however. I feel there is so much undiscovered potential there :D Thank you so much for your helpful and lovely comment ❤️
@@AncaPoraIllustration If you ever decide to revisit it, I'd love to see what an amazing artist like you could accomplish with polymer clay! It's such a versatile medium. You can even paint with it, that might be right up your alley. Look up the channel Artistic Variations on YT if you have the time, my mind was blown when I first saw her polymer clay paintings.
Hey does the paint on polymer clay cracks?
@@ergoproxii Nope :) I use chalk pastels to colour the clay before baking, and/or acrylic paint after curing, and that works perfectly.
I am new to working with these products so I looked forward to reviewing your video. I thought the look was good, however my complaint of it is that you don't leave your dialog, the point of having a tutorial video, up long enough to read. Your instructions are visual. You don't speak, so you are expecting the viewer to see your actions AND read the material within seconds of it appearing on the screen. Very tiring, and after a while, not worth the effort. Sorry to be blunt. But I got more info from the comments section. I was looking forward to getting more info from YOU. Could you either redo or fix it? Thanks.
I would recommend using polyurethane varnish for polymer clay. You can find it both in gloss or matte finish. I use the brand Duraclear. More and more, though, I see people use UV resin to glaze their pieces, either by using a lamp or a special lantern to harden it (like the ones that are used for nails) or letting the piece dry in the sun. This method is quite fast, maybe around five minutes if you’re using the lamp.
If it’s a flat piece, like the keychains you made, and you want it to have a coat of 1-2 mm thick (kind of creating a dome) you can use a special resin for that. I have only tried the brand Cleopatre Glass Lack (it takes about 24 hours to dry completely), but a lot of people use the one by Lisa Pavelka Magic Gloss (I think this one is a UV resin). The pieces look really well with the doming effect, very shiny and glossy. And you can pierce the resin using a hand drill, by the way.
I hope you find this helpful!
(I apologise for any mistakes in English)
Thank you so much for your very informative comment :D I will give resin a go in the near future i think as i love the glossy effect it has.
Resin is toxic. If anyone is going to use it, please read the warning labels on the containers. There's
a reason the labels are so big and prominent. You need hand protection, eye protection, and a well ventilated space or a good mask if you're going to work with resin. And resin gives off toxic fumes until it is fully cured, which takes at least 24 to 48 hours. The fumes from resin quietly damage the body and by the time a person realizes they're not okay, the damage is quite extensive.
It looks so beautiful. Thank you for useful information that you’ve provided. Now i can easily decide which clay to use for earring making
Glad the info was helpful! Thank you
This is such perfect timing, I was about to search for this kind of video and then it was uploaded - thank you! 😊
Awesome :D Glad the universe came together :D
Thanks for doing the comparison! I started with polymer clay, but moved on to air dry clay! I am much happier !
Yay! Happy to be able to help. I personally.prefer air dry clay as well ❤️
Can I ask why you prefer air dry to polymer ?
Thanks for doing a side by side comparison. I have seen people show one and make reference to the other so it was nice actually see how they do compare. Again thank you have a good week.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
Thank you for doing the comparison. I found it very helpful.
I'm so glad!
this is exactly the kind of video i was looking for!! so helpful thank you!
Happy to hear that ❤️
Stumbled into air dry clay (was gifted some) it's quite nice. So much to learn. Your artwork is beautiful.
It's a pretty fun medium to work with ! I really enjoy it :d
Thankyou it really helped me a lot in understanding the difference.
Glad it was helpful❤️
Thank you for the video! I want to make my own watercolour palette using clay, but was not sure if I can use air dry clay for it (I don’t have oven sadly).
I am thinking you could make one if you use a waterproof varnish. Maybe i will try to make one also as iwas thinking about it for a long time and see if it actually works in a future video
thank you! i'm looking into making clay art and this gave me a good idea about them ♥
I am glad you found the video helpful! :D
i feel like this is a great video. i feel like you can use both for diffrent reasons. i would say if your making jewelry or figureings then i think it would be a good choice to use the polymer if you want a more of a durable lasting item. an u can also use the air dry if you want to make a delect sulpture or something that you know that it needs more care. so i think their both great depending on what you are using it for. i love it !
I totally agree! They are both good in different ways and it just basically depends on your personal preferences
WOW this is exactly the video i needed!! Thank you for being so thorough! And the keychains are sooo cute!!!
Oh i am so glad you found it helpful . Thank you for watching ❤️
Hi! I've been wanting to make some jewellery using clay for a while but I've been confused on whether to use polymer clay or air dry clay. Which one would be better according to you, based on lightness(especially), durability and ease of painting as a whole? I am a beginner. Thank you so much! Loved the video!
From my experience air dry is lighter but is also more prone to breakage. Most people use polymer clay for jewelry as i think it's more durable. I personally like air dry clay more but i make other types of projects with it.
@@AncaPoraIllustration Thank you so much!! :)
hey ,this was such an amazing video!!it was very informative ,thank you so much for sharing this
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for you kind comment!
Hi! Thank you for making this comparison video! Been thinking a lot which to buy for its price value. This came in really helpful! :)
Really happy to hear that you found my video useful :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration i ended up choosing ADC! Cos it feels like more in tune with earth??? Hahaha. Thanks again! :)
I much prefer air dry, specifically cold porcelain, for a few reasons:
1. Infinitely way fucking cheaper and, considering where I live, incredibily more easy to get.
2. If you want it in different colors you can grab the cheapest paints you have, use the tiniest drop and kneed it until it changes.
3. You get way more material in one single package.
4. You can use water to smooth thing out and then glued them together with white glue, which is also pretty cheap.
5. Not easy to break, at least the ones I have used. Some of my figurines end up falling over or on the floor and nothing happened to them. I am talking both big figurines and small ones.
6. I don't trust myself to not burnt it on the oven so it's way easier just let it harden on it's own.
7. The fact that is more time consuming is a plus for me, honestly, because it allows you to relax and take your time.
I love cold porcelain for one simple reason: I don't have an oven. Period.
@@alekawaiiya I have but I don't have the patience so either I would get it burnt or undercooked somehow.
Cold porcelain rules.
Yes i agree 100 % :D These are some of the reason i reach for air dry clay more the polymer :D The main thing is the price. I just feel that polymer clay is a bit too up there in price. Thank you for listing these reasons :D
Is cold porcelain more durable than air dry clay? I want to make earrings, which type of clay is more suitable and durable in your opinion? (Polymer clay is too expensive for me)
@@taliamolina6230 Cold porcelain is way more durable, perfect for jewelry.
They both look equally gorgeous with their unique finish!! I have quite a few 1kg blocks of air dry clay... I got them on sale late last year and they're 2 for the price of 1 at that time. lol! *Help* >< The only negative thing about air dry clay for me is that it can be very fragile after it is cured. Thank you for your video and yes, it is helpful! Also, is the gouache varnish water resistant? I found that when I used acrylic water-based sealer and tripe thick glaze they tend to end up a bit tacky even after it is dried for a long time, especially during hot/humid weather. The only thing so far that worked for me is the polyurethane gloss varnish (I use Jo Sonja brand, Australian based company). I also have the Liquitex gloss varnish which I will try as well.
The gouache varnish is indeed a bit tacky after it dries, but it is water resistant. I find that the tackiness does go away in time . I will look into the Jo Sonja varnish you mentioned :D . Thank you for your comment :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration Thanks for your reply regarding the gouache varnish. Looks like I will have to stick with the Jo Sonja polyurethane varnish for now as it is non-yellowing, permanent and for indoor/outdoor. I think any polyurethane varnish would work as long as it has the same qualities once cured/dried. :)
Thanks for the video! I think I'll save my coin and go for Air dry clay! Seems good enough for me as I have lots and lots of time at hand!
I tend to go for air dry clay for that reason and many more. I just feel it's so much more easier to work with also ❤️
@@AncaPoraIllustration Thanks for your awesome video ❤
That was very pleasing to watch, and those charms came out so cute. The colours were just lovely. And the information was very helpful, as I've been considering trying out clay for a while now.
Thank you! The colours are from Holbein and they are very vibrant and nice. Glad you found this video helpful :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration Thank you very much, that's good to know. But I was actually commenting on your colour combinations, they're wonderful. 😊
This was everything I needed to know! Great videos and great shots :)
Glad my video helped :D
LOVE!!!! So cute! Great video. I had to watch it more then once to read everything you put in the screen and then again to just watch you create. Loved it! Thanks
Thank you! :D Yes i might have added too much text in a very short time but i am still glad you like the video :D
Anca Pora Illustration I did! I enjoy your video very much 🧡
The clays you made are so beautiful!!!
Thank you so much! :D
Thank you so so much for this video. I am just starting out with clay and I got to 2 blocks of polymer clay to try my hands on. But to my surprise (and disappointment) I am ending up using one 60 gm block for one project...if I keep the thickness in mind. So I wanted to understand the comparison and if I can try air dry clay next. You have helped me so much. Thanks a lot again! May you do very well
You are so welcome! Glad you found it helpful! :D
Omg!!! This is right on time for a project I’m doing!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Awesome :D i am glad i could be of help
Thank you so much!!
I was curious to know if you think my posca pens would work nicely on the air dry clay?
I think they do. I have used them in the past but only for adding small details ❤️
WOW! This is awesome. Great work! I wanna use this idea in so many forms, thanks for sharing! :)
Thank you so much! Glad I could help :D
your art is amazinnngggggg
Thank you! :D
Thanks for the comparison! I wonder if air dry clay might be too soft to make very tiny miniatures 🤔
My pleasure! I personally find air dry clay easier to work with and get really fine details with it. It is however more sensitive then polymer. It depends on your personal preferences really
@@AncaPoraIllustrationGood to know! I'll have to experiment! Thank you!
very helpful thanks for your experience and insight!!!
Glad it was helpful!
So beautiful. I always wanted to know if its okay to bake polymer in an oven you use for your own cooking?
I think it is safe as long as you leave the oven open after using it and also a window near by. I had no issues and since they suggest to bake it in the oven i am guessing it shouldn't be toxic or anything.
hello, may i ask if the gesso base is really necessary when you paint the clay? and what would happen if i didn't apply it? thanks! :))
The gesso is not necessary but it gives the clay a more grippy texture similar to paper which i preffer. You can totally skip that step if you wish. As long as you coat your clay piece entirely in paint. Otherwishe the colors might turn a bit yellow from varnishing. Hope that makes sense
I think the base layer of paint would go a hell of a lot more quickly if you got spraypaint primer which comes in lots of different colors and did the whole lot at once outside on a piece of cardboard. It can also be sanded between layers too if needed. Just make sure not to do it on a cold or humid day and apply thin layers.
I am pretty sure that the oil that you added to your polymer clay is the reason your varnish is not drying as well on the polymer clay.
Clay Charms are nice but when clay charms were a big thing about 20 years ago on Flickr when everyone wanted to make cupcake rings we didn’t realize how quickly the Polymer clay charms will crumble if you live in humid environment. This is even if you’ve painted a varnish on them.
I don't have too much experience with polymer but I am guessing it is much more resistant then air dry clay let's say. But I don't think these types of clay are meant to last for over 20 years. If you want to make life long objects then it's probably best to look into ceramics
Amazing thank you! What varnish did you use for the air dry clay xx
Thank you! I used the Maimeri Gouache Gloss Varnish
Thank you for the try! Very helpful!
Thank. You for your kind comment.
I use the air dry clay from sculpy. And sometimes I paint it before it dries.Or paint the clay before. Also ,I have never use polymer , it's more expensive.
I have never tried anything from sculpy. I heard they are pretty good :D Yes I rarely go for polymer because it is so expensive :D
Thank you so much for this video! it is very helpful
I am so glad 😍
really helpful video. thanks so much!
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful 😻
Very helpful video just one question doesnt air dry clay shrink?
And can you please make another video on how to make marble pattern using air dry clay
It does shrink quite a bit when drying! I will see what I can do :D
Hello, Anca! This is really cute
Thank you! I use a canon 700D with it's kit lens. Nothing too fancy
Thanks for this comparison!
Glad it was helpful!
Hey i loved this video, what sandpaper did you use and also does the paint crack on polymer clay art? And if so after how long usually
The sandpaper is a 120 grit one I think. The paint I used which is acrylic gouache didn't crack on it but it was a bit difficult to get an even layer. Hope this helps :D
Hey! Which varnish u recommend for polymer clay... That is water resistant and doesn't turn yellow over time?
I used a varnish from cernit which is specifically designed for polymer clay. However I do think that resin works best
Great video and very helpful information!
Thank you! I am glad you think so! :D
This video is awesome ! Thank you ! And i love your creativity :)
Awww thank you ! :D
Do you also have videos on how to top resin on air dry clays??
I do not yet. But i am planning to try out resin in a future video as it looks so nice and glossy
Thank you for this! I've been wanting to try DIY clay earrings but was really torn between polymer and airdry. After watching your video, I'm really going now to airdry clay. Thank you!
Glad i could be of help in your decision making :D Good luck with the project :d
thank you so much. i never had to use gesso or any sort of primer on my air dry clay when painting with acrylic
Acrylics are a bit different. I find that using gesso helps the gouache adhere better to the surface.
@@AncaPoraIllustration oh i see. do u have any particular reason for using gouache rather than acrylic?
@@zaynkataw83 i think they said they prefer gouache more than acrylic to paint on air dry clay bcs of the final outcome and texture
Something like a Sculpey gloss varnish would work better on polymer clay, it’s designed to go onto polymer clays so dries faster. But it is more viscous, so you only need to put a thin layer on or it can pool in places and dry a little cloudy.
I did buy a varnish made especially for polymer clay after filming this. It's true it does dry a bit cloudy in some areas. I think resin is the way to go from what i have seen
Anca Pora Illustration resin is a good idea! I wonder if you could use UV resin if you’re only doing a very thin layer? Though from what I’ve seen you really need good ventilation for most resin, especially UV, or it’ll give you quite the headache.
THIS IS VERY HELPFUL!!!! btw do u know Mod Podge? is it ok to use it for sealing or not huhu
Thank you! I am glad you think so! I have heard of mod podge however i have never used it. I think it would work for sealing. But I can't really find it here in Romania
@@AncaPoraIllustration thank you so much for replying!!!
Thank you. This was very helpful!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
Really great, informative and a beautiful looking video! Thank you
Thank you! It always makes me happy when people find my videos helpful :D
Just FYI, you can add color to the air dry clay and then roll it out so you don't have to do so much painting.
I've heard of that technique! I need to try it with my next project :D
Thanks so much for this! Can you use normal acrylics on the polymer clay or does it have to be gouache? And it looked like painting was easier once you had one layer of paint, is that right? Thanks!
Yes i think actually acrylics would work better actually . I just use gouache as i like it more then acrylics. It definitely was easier once i got that initial layer of paint on
These are so much fun, thank you for the tutorial! Do these break easily? which material is more durable in your opinion?
Thank you Luisa! I would say that polymer clay is more durable . Since it is baked and it has plastic polymers which melt together while being baked i think it''s very unlikely it will break. As opposed to air dry clay
@@AncaPoraIllustration have you by any chance mixed a bit of air dry clay with glue? The white kind one used at school? It might make it more durable I think
Lethy Guaimare have you tried this? Is it works?
@@ctnsakinah nah I actually forgot about this, with being a Venezuelan immigrant and all what's going on trying to avoid covid these days 😅😂 and I'm more of an airbrush/watercolor/mixed media artist
Lethy Guaimare its okay thank u for the replies!
i love your channel, but is gesso really needed and what if i don't use it and only sand it? because it's kinda hard to find one here, thanks!
I use gesso mostly because of the varnish i use at the end. The varnish will turn the clay into a yellowish colour if there is no gesso. But you could also prime it with white acrylic or really any acrylic :D It works just as well
Is the air dry clay really sturdy? Do you recommend some sort of glaze to protect it from the elements since it is a key chain?
The best way to coat them is to use resin. That adds structure and will make it less likely that they break :D
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THISSS 💚✨
You're so welcome! Thank you so much for watching! :D
did you paint your dry air clay with white before coloring it?
I did . I used white gesso but you can also use white acrylic
thank you so much for this video! i just started using air dry clay and tried white gesso for the base, but it ended up peeling off. do you know what might have gone wrong?
I am so sorry about that. Gesso is not a necessary step in this and you could try painting without it especially if you are using acrylic paints. I have not had this happen but it might just depend on the gesso. Maybe try layering it in thin layers
Can I ask why you do a base coat of gauche first (I didn’t realise this was necessary for painting air dry clay) and why it’s an advantage to use the waterproof gauche paint (instead of just acrylic paint)?
It is not necessary so you can totally skip it especially if you are using acrylic paint. I personally use the base coat because when I varnish my piece if there is any area that is not covered by paint then that will turn yellow from the varnish. Also it makes the surface more paper like and easier to paint. As for why I prefer gouache I just feel I have better control with gouache then acrylic. It's a personal choice
Hye, may I know what type of colour can be use to paint the clay? Can I use acrylic paint?
hi! I used acrylic gouache in this video but regular acrylic paints work just as well 🥰
maybe the gesso was what helped the painting instead of the type of clay? have you painted over polymer with gesso before?
I have tried gesso on polymer but it does not work at all. The gesso cracks and looks odd. So i wouldn't recommend it
@@AncaPoraIllustration oh good to know, thank you!!
I’m planing on making it with miya gouache but I don’t have any knowledge of clay making.
Need to ask question, do you know what to use for top coat or varnish? As gouache it’s water soluble, I don’t know anything that can works with it without getting ruined?
But! Really love your videos! It definitely help me in some way!!
I do use a gouache gloss varnish . You can find one from maimeri and it does not affect the paint at all. Thank you so much!
@@AncaPoraIllustration I’ve try it, however it doesn’t work on Miya gouache set, so I’m saving up for getting an acrylic set ☹️
Really needed this, thanks!
Just one question- what is better to make jewellery ( considering air dry clay is lighter if I'm right)
Air dry clay is a bit lighter however i think you can use either one for jewellery. It really depends which you prefer to work with :D I see a lot more jewellery made from polymer clay :D
You can use rubbing alcohol on oven bake clay to make it softer.... I mix it in with any new box I get and it stays soft and malleable (I think that's the word I'm looking for lol) I hope this helps....
Oh thank you for the tip :D I need to try it :D
Those are sooo cute!🌸
Thank you so so much! ❤️❤️❤️
this was super helpful! thank you!
Awesome! So happy to hear that :D
They’re so cute♥️♥️
Thank you so much!
Hi! Which one of the air dry clays do you recommend more,Das or the one you use here? Thank you
I really like the darwi air dry clay. I feel it is so much easier to work with :D
Yo creo que no tienen comparación, son materiales muy distintos depende del proyecto final, la pasta es más divertida por su parecido a la cerámica pero la arcilla polimérica es más duradera!
Hi, thank you for uploading this video ❤ Is art dry clay approaching for jewelry? I make pendants and they must be really hard at the end which I manage to achieve with polymer clay but the part with the baking is really smelly and probably toxic. What do you recommend? Thank you in advance 🤗
I have actually made some stud earring since filming this video and they are pretty sturdy.I also prefer air dry clay for the same reasons. So I think you could use air dry clay for smaller pieces without it breaking. Here is the video of making the earrings if you are interested ruclips.net/video/Whp8tNvvdfk/видео.html
Excellent video! Very clear. I now know I want to try polymer clay. 😊❤️
Glad i could help :D Polymer clay i think is my favorite after testing them out
Thank you soo muchhhh for this videooo
Thank you so much for watching! :D
Your style is absolutely stunning=)
Thank you so much!!
I've decided to go with air dry clay. What type of paint should I buy, size of sandpaper and what finisher or sealer should I use on top??? Is gesso mandatory under the paint for air dry? Thanks a lot in advance
Hi there! :D I usually use fine sand paper with around 120 grit. The sealer on top is a gouache gloss varnish from Maimeri. Gesso is not mandatory especially if you are using acrylic paints instead of gouache. However I personally use it because the paint adheres better and the gouache gloss varnish tends to make any area that is not painted a yellowish color. So the gesso prevents that from happening. Hope this helps
@@AncaPoraIllustration yes it does thanks a lot
Gorgeous!!!
Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️
thank you so much! really love your tutorials :) i had to go with air dry as i love how it has that "clay feel". polymer just looks plastiky in my opinion :")
Yes i gravitate more to air dry clay as well :D It's just easier to work with for me :D
Beautiful work 💗🦋💗🦋💗🦋
Thank you ❤️
Hello. Would you recommend Ghiant polyurethane varnish for polymer clay earrings?
Hmmm as long as it is waterbased varnish i think it should work just fine :D
I use the mont marte air dry clay, is this one better
Which one is better for jewellery making
i think polymer clay would be better for that as it comes in different colors and is not so likely to break :D
Love this😍😍
What clay would you recommend for durable ring dishes?
Thank you ! I actually made some jewellery dishes from air dry clay and send one through to post office and it arrived intact. So air dry clay i think might be a good option. Polymer clay i feel might work too but i haven't tried making anything like that :D
I feel like any clay should work, but if you really want durable, here are some tips for different clays!
For airdry clays, try coating it with a resin (can be expensive) or a thick and hard top coat. This'll just help prevent any breaking, because the airdry clays are more fragile than others, especially when thin.
For polymer clay, it should be really strong as it is, as it hardens into a plastic, but if you really want to go that extra step, resin.
I would reccomend a clay that you fire (eg. stoneware, porcelain or earthenware) and then glaze, as they are strong and very nice to work with and own the final pieces (though I can understand that that's not the most accessible option for everyone)!
Hope these kinda helped?
If you add white glue to the clay and mix it together the clay becomes stone hard when it is dry
@@giuliettawebber6772 wow thats genius. Thanks 😊
Hi just wanted yo ask if polymer clay can crack to like air dry clay while sculpting?
When i sculp using air dry clay it always cracking and it got hard faster . So i was thinking to change in polymer clay are they they same ?
I don't have too much experience with polymer but from what I know it shouldn't crack as it is basically plastic. Maybe try using a different brand of air dry clay :D
@@AncaPoraIllustration wow tysm for replying ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Any suggestion on the how to reduce the ceramic clay stick to hand
The dryer the clay is the less sticky it is . So try using less to no water at all when working with it :D
I have a question: Is air dry clay brittle? I mean will the finished product break if it falls or if pressure is applied? Also which clay is better to make pins?
It's definitely more prone to break rather then polymer clay. Polymer clay is basically plastic and air dry clay has a more ceramic feel to it but it is a bit lighter. It really depends what you prefer. You can make pins out of both of them really.
Tyfs.. is the weight difference significantly different in the finished pieces? My guess is yes and the air dry is much lighter.
yes the air dry clay is lighter but not by a lot. :D polymer clay is basically plastic. so that's why it's a bit heavier
Anca Pora Illustration thanks!