I ruined a few polymer clay crafts because of this one mistake.
Coloring white, unbaked polymer clay with soft pastels is an option if you do not have additional colored clay to craft with. However, I wanted to share one lesson I learned from a few failed experiences.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics covered in this post:
How I Add Soft Pastel to Unbaked Clay
I readily have soft pastel sticks available to me. I have yet to try this with mica powders, but I heard it should work as well.
I shave the pastel sticks with a craft knife to generate fine pastel powder. This makes it easier for a paintbrush to pick up color and apply it to unbaked polymer clay.
You can either knead the pastel powder into clay before shaping or brush directly onto shaped clay.
Lesson Learned: Less is Best
Limit the amount of soft pastel you use to color unbaked polymer clay. Whether you mix in shaved pastel powder or brush it on, keep the application light.
Below are challenges I faced when I used too much to color my unbaked polymer clay:
Pastel makes clay pieces fragile and increases the possibilities of cracks or breakage.
An unbaked colored clay piece does not 'stick' to another clay piece without the use of a clay adhesive.
An unbaked colored clay piece is not as easy to shape as an unbaked clay piece without pastel colors added to it.
Pastel color rubs off onto fingers when handling before baking.
Pastel color may appear splotchy if brushed onto unbaked clay unevenly.
Pastel colors may mix (color contamination) if brushing on two or more colors onto one unbaked clay piece.
When unbaked clay cracks, it is possible to fix it with clay adhesive. Depending on the shape of the clay craft, you may also be able to fix cracks and breakage after baking with more clay, glue, or other supplies.
However, these challenges are easily avoidable if you use less pastel to color any clay piece.
Tips for Coloring Unbaked Polymer Clay with Soft Pastel
Below are a few tips I learned from experience for coloring unbaked polymer clay with soft pastel:
Less is best. You can always brush on more colors as needed prior to baking the clay piece. Just keep in mind that the more pastel you add, the more fragile the clay piece may become.
Shape your clay before brushing on pastel colors. It is easier to shape an unbaked clay piece before pastel color is added. You are also more likely to use less pastel colors when and reduce any of it rubbing off onto your fingers with constant handling.
Use clay adhesive like Bake & Bond to adhere colored pieces together. This will strengthen the bond and reduce the chance of breakage. You can also use a toothpick, wire, or pin (anything that will not melt or burn during baking) to strengthen your clay craft.
Make a test piece. Dedicate a small piece of clay and some pastel to see the results before you potentially ruin a larger craft piece. Your results may vary depending on the brands you use and how heavy or light handed you are with adding pastel colors to clay pieces.
By conducting your own experiment with different ways to color polymer clay, you will eventually discovered your preferred way to add color. Personally, I prefer to paint after baking as I did with my Polymer Clay Flower Phone Grip.
What's Next?
Have some polymer clay and soft pastels to experiment with? Consider trying to replicate the challenges I faced and the tips I shared to avoid them.
Who knows? Your results may vary drastically. You may experience other helpful tips I have yet to experience for myself.
Comment below to share how you would color white unbaked polymer clay.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam