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With hundreds of air dry clays on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your sculpting needs. When you start speaking to artists and doll-makers, you'll find that a few brands of clay sit at the top of their lists. This includes La Doll Premier, Creative Paperclay and DAS Modelling Clay.
It's hard to believe that after almost a decade of working with air dry clay, I've never tried DAS. Yet, when listing the properties of these 3 clays, they sound nearly identical. So, last month I gave it a try to see how it stacks up against my preferred medium, Creative Paperclay (CPC), and here are my findings.
Similarities
- Both DAS and Creative Paperclay are white and can be sanded, carved, and painted. DAS also comes in a terracotta earth color.
- Both clays are water-based and non-toxic.
- Both can be dried in the oven (read more about drying air dry clay effectively)
Differences
- Texture: DAS has less texture than Creative Paperclay, which for some might be preferable. I found it is actually a bit slimy and slippery if it gets too wet, so use water sparingly!
- Density: DAS is denser, making it a bit heavier when dry. As a result of this, I would be conscious of making a very stable armature to prevent cracking (learn more about armature building).
- Hardness: DAS dries harder than CPC and can't be marked as easily.
- Availability: I do find that DAS tends to be carried by more art stores than any other air dry clay (at least here on the West Coast), so it is also usually easier to purchase.
So, if you like a denser air dry clay clay with less texture - DAS might be for you!
A Plus
I find that DAS dries a bit faster than Creative Paperclay, probably because you have to use less water. What that means is that I am able to work for longer on a piece before I have to leave it to dry. I like this as it helps me keep my momentum when sculpting.
A Drawback
One drawback for me is that DAS doesn't adhere as easily as Creative Paperclay does. This includes adhering to armature materials like wire, as well as to itself, especially when dry. In order to make things stick, you have to manually blend quite a lot, which makes it hard to create interesting surfaces. I also found the texture slightly slippery, which made it harder to blend and for me to make the gestural movements I like to make by "pushing" my clay around.
Technique Adjustment
Given the slight differences between the two clays, I have found that if I used less water when working with DAS (that I usually use when working with CPC) then it was less frustrating. The texture of CPC means that it doesn't get as slippery when water is added, so this is something to keep in mind if you use both air dry clays.
The Verdict
Ultimately, it's about what you're looking for in a clay, but I do think beginners will find Creative Paperclay easier to use. I myself still prefer Creative Paperclay as my best air dry clay for sculpture. It simply ticks all the boxes for me in terms of what I need: texture and ease of adherence being the main ones. Maybe DAS will become your favourite air dry clay. Until you try it, you'll never know, so get out there and start sculpting!
Get Your Own Air Dry Clay
The clays mentioned in this article can all be purchased online:
Creative Paperclay
DAS Modelling Clay
La Doll Premier
What's Next?
Explore the secrets of sculpting with Creative Paperclay
See more clay comparisons: The best air dry clays for artists