Create your own plasticine paintings in our October Second Saturday step-by-step, created by artist Gwen Ramsay.


We were excited to announce the reopening of the Soane this month and, alongside it, we will be hosting some in-person workshops for children and families at the Museum this half term. We've thought these through carefully to make them fully safe. Find out more here.

We're also continuing to bring our Second Saturday workshops to you remotely at home, with a step-by-step guide to making your own Plasticine reliefs, created by artist Gwen Ramsay.

We'd love to see pictures of your creations - you can email us on info@soane.org.uk or tweet #Soanefamilies with anything you'd like to share.

Materials needed

  • 1 canvas
  • Plasticine or clays. Air dry or modelling clays will all work.
  • Pva glue & brush
  • 1 pencil
  • Any sculpture tools. Be creative-pens and kitchen tools will work.

Step 1

Choose a relief you want to create a plasticine picture of from the museum.

I chose the ‘bocca della verita’, but you can choose one you like! ‘Bocca della verita’ is italian for ‘mouth of truth’. Romans would put their hand in the relief’s mouth and have their honesty put to the test.

 

Step 2

Draw the outline of the relief you have chosen onto the canvas using a pencil.

Step 3

Soften & warm up the clay or plasticine with your hands.

Create a ball and flatten it out with your hands or use a rolling pin.

Step 4

Press the plasticine into the canvas.

Be creative and use any tools you have to make details like eyes and a mouth.

The end of a pen lid makes a good indent for eyes.

Step 5

Roll the plasticine in your hands to make wiggly lines.

Have fun mixing colours to create swirls & new colours.

Build up layers to create a higher relief.

Step 6

Finish building up your relief.

Use a brush to paint pva glue all over your relief. This will ensure it seals and lasts a long time.

Let the pva dry.

Finish & enjoy your new plasticine painting!