The Picture It in Clay Method
Learn the foundational techniques I developed for creating durable, detailed polymer clay figures for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
...and gain the confidence to create figures of your own!
What's Included in Your Purchase?
• Intro and 10 step-by-step video lessons
• The complete Picture It in Clay Method foundation
• Approximately 2 hours of instruction
• Materials & Measurement Reference Guide
You can work through the lessons at your own pace, pause and practice along with me, and return to the lessons whenever you need a refresher.
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Picture It in Clay Method
The Story Behind the Course
Years ago, I began creating polymer clay figures for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd because there was a need for figures that were simple, durable, and expressive for children in the atrium.
Over time, I developed my own way of working with polymer clay from conditioning the clay and building a stable body to creating strong connections, establishing proportions, painting,
and finishing each figure.
For years, I made figures by hand for others, but I found that I couldn't keep up! As more people began asking how I created them, I realized that the most valuable thing I could share wasn't simply a finished figure. It was the method. That is what led to the creation of this course as a guide for you!
Heart and Hands
Hi! I'm Maria, the creator behind Picture It in Clay. What began as creating polymer-clay figures for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atriums grew into a method I've refined through years of making, experimenting, receiving feedback, and solving problems along the way. Now I'm excited to share that process with you!
The Picture It in Clay Method is especially suited to those who want to create durable figures for their own atrium, parish, classroom, or ministry.
Rather than demonstrate every individual figure in every narrative, this foundation course gives you the skills and process you need to begin creating figures of your own.
Learn the Method, Then Make It Your Own
The Picture It in Clay Method is designed to teach you the underlying process rather than simply having you copy one finished figure. In this course, I'll take you through the entire process step by step using one figure as our model.
Prepare → Build → Sculpt → Connect → Clean → Bake → Paint → Finish → Troubleshoot
You'll learn how to create a stable foundation, work with proportions, form the major parts of the figure, create strong connections, keep your clay clean, properly bake and finish your work, and recognize what to do when something doesn't look quite right.
My goal is for you to finish the course not only knowing what to do, but understanding why.
Is This Course for You?
The Picture It in Clay Method is for you if...
- You want to create Catechesis of the Good Shepherd figures for your home, atrium, parish, classroom, or ministry.
- You've worked with polymer clay but aren't sure how to build a stable, durable figure.
- You struggle with proportions, connections, or knowing how to fix a figure.
- You've seen my figures and wondered, "How do you make those?"
- You want narrative sets whose arms are able to hold gifts or baby Jesus to provide an interactive element for the children.
You don't need to be an expert. You just need a willingness to learn, experiment, and work with the clay. I'll show you the process one step at a time... joyfully connecting the work of your heart with the work of your hand.
Foundation Course
The Picture It in Clay Method is the foundation course. It teaches the construction, proportions, sculpting, baking, painting, finishing, and troubleshooting methods that you can apply to your own figures.
It does not currently include individual demonstrations of every figure in every Catechesis of the Good Shepherd narrative. Those narrative-specific tutorials will be developed separately.
Think of this course as learning the language of Picture It in Clay. Once you understand the method, you'll be ready to apply it to many different figures and narratives.
Ready to Make Your Own Figures?
You don't need years of sculpting experience to begin. If you've wanted to make your own figures but weren't sure where to start, this course will give you a clear process to follow. My hope is that you'll finish with more than a finished figure.
You'll have a method you can use again and again.
Join me inside the Picture It in Clay Method and learn how to turn a small piece of polymer clay into a durable, expressive figure.
Learn the method. Build your skills. Make it your own.
Welcome to Picture It in Clay! :)