- Some sculpting clay, such as oil-based modeling clay, is designed not to harden over time. These clays, such as Plastilina or Plasticine, can be sculpted, torn down, and resculpted over a long period of time without drying out.
- Kiln-fired sculptures are generally more durable than oven-baked or air-dried sculptures.Henry Gan/Photodisc/Getty Images
Ceramic clay that needs to be fired at extremely high temperatures in a kiln can be used for terra cotta dishes and other stoneware. This clay can be glazed to create colorful surfaces but requires a kiln to permanently harden the sculpture. Some kiln-fired clay, such as porcelain, is best used in moulds taken of other sculptures. - Some clays require only mildly high temperatures to set into a desired shape. These oven-baked clays, such as Sculpey, can be fired in a home oven and are popular with hobbyists and amateur sculptors. Oven-baked clays are available in several colors that can be mixed and moulded together.
- Clay that dries after a short exposure to air, such as Das Pronto or Sculptamold, does not require any extra equipment to set and is a way to introduce children to sculpting. Clay that will harden after long exposure to air is often more brittle or fragile than other clays.
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