ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Clay modeling

Okay kiddo, so you know how when you play with Play-Doh or modeling clay, you can shape it into all sorts of fun things like animals, cars, or pretend food? Clay modeling is a lot like that, but instead of using Play-Doh, artists use a special kind of clay called modeling clay that doesn't dry out and stays soft and pliable for a long time.

To do clay modeling, an artist first starts with a lump of clay and uses their hands and special tools called sculpting tools to mold the clay into the shape they want. They might use tools like a rolling pin to flatten the clay, or a knife to cut away excess clay, or a sponge to smooth out rough edges.

Once the artist has shaped the clay into the basic form they want, they can add details like eyes, ears, or other decorations. This is where it gets really fun, because the artist can be super creative and make their clay model look however they want!

When the artist is finished with their clay model, they might let it dry out and harden, or they might use it to make a mold so they can create multiple copies of their design. Some artists even paint or glaze their finished clay models to make them look even more realistic or colorful.

So that's clay modeling in a nutshell, kiddo. It's a fun way for artists to use their hands and imaginations to create all sorts of cool things out of clay!