Whether you need a simple idea for a science project or a prop for your next Halloween party, you can't go wrong with a fake hand.Older children can safely handle sharper tools and hot ovens if they are taught how to sculpt a hand from clay or construct one from a paper plate.
Step 1: Pick the material for the hand.
A thick paper that is sturdy enough to support the materials you will be adding is a good choice.The paper plate is designed to hold food and be supportive.
Step 2: Attach a paper plate to your hand.
If you were going to put food on the paper plate, place it on a flat surface.Put your hand in the center of the plate with your fingers spread out.Use a pencil to trace your hand.You need to hold your hand steady.Put pressure on your hand by standing up.To keep your plate in place, tape it to the table.When you cut out your hand, make sure you have enough space to trace your fingers because they can wiggle if you don't.Once you cut the hand from the plate, you should use a pencil to make sure you don't make any mistakes.
Step 3: Cut your hand in half.
Follow your outline to the best of your ability.Start at the bottom of your fake hand and work your way up towards the thumb, over the fingers, and then back down along the pinkie side of the hand.
Step 4: Plastic straws can be cut into pieces.
Cut 19 pieces at a length of 1-2 inches for each hand.Your hand will come to life with the help of these.You can either cut the ends at a slight angle or straight across.
Step 5: There is a small "v" in the middle of the straw.
The straw should be between your thumb and index finger.They can bend if you cut a tiny "v" halfway through the middle.
Step 6: You should mark your joints.
To mark where a joint should be, use a pencil.You can judge where to mark by studying your hand.Also mark a line that extends about an inch above where the bottom of your thumb connects with your palm, and below where your pinkie connects.
Step 7: The straw pieces should be Glued to the hand.
There are three straw pieces on each finger, two between each joint and one between the last joint.Place two on the thumb, one between the two joints and the last joint.You can put five more along the line.The straw pieces should be separated in the fingers and thumb.Allow the straw pieces in the palm to touch end to end if you don't have enough room to do it.
Step 8: Take a break here.
Allow the glue to dry.Allow it to sit for thirty minutes.
Step 9: Attach the string through the straw pieces.
Attach the string at the tip of the finger with tape.You can thread it through the straws.Before you cut the string, go past the wrist and make sure you have enough.
Step 10: Do you want to test your strings?
Carefully pull on each one to make sure it works.Pull them all at the same time if they do.Put a latex glove on it and stuff it with tissues to make it look more realistic.
Step 11: Put a lump of clay in a cylinder.
You can make a cylinder that is roughly the same size as the hand you want to make.There are no sharp edges if you round both ends.Use your fingers or a rolling pin to flatten the clay.Make sure the clay is the right thickness for your fake hand.
Step 12: Put the thumb and wrist together.
Think of your clay as a hand with its palm up and all of its fingers straight and pressed together, including the thumb, facing you.Pull enough clay from one side to show a thumb, but not the rest of the clay.The wrist should be formed next.The clay should be found along the bottom of the palm.
Step 13: Make a hole in the palm.
You can use your fingers or a small object.The clay has a thumb.The tip of your tool should be centered in the middle of the palm as you lay it down.To form an impression, roll or worm it.Imagine your clay is an hour hand.The hour should be 10:30 if you are making a left hand.It should read 1:30 if you are making a right hand.
Step 14: The thumb should be separated.
Pull more clay from the rest of the hand and then detach the thumb, just like a real thumb spreading out from its hand.It should be in the shape of a thumb.
Step 15: Attach the palm again.
The base of the fingers will join when you lay your tool across the palm.The thumb and wrist should be moved to redefine the impressions.
Step 16: You have to separate the fingers.
The base of each finger can be cut with a scalpel.The top of each finger should be trimmed.The middle finger is longest, the pinkie is shortest, and the ring and index fingers are the same size.
Step 17: The fingers should be seperated further.
Spread the fingers further apart by passing a needle up and down.This step is delicate and should be done slowly and gently.Once there is enough room for it to fit between the fingers, switch to a larger tool.
Step 18: Put the fingers together.
Roll them between your fingers.No one finger is too thin or too thick, so pay attention to the thickness of each.If necessary, stretch them out.Cut the excess and round the fingertips.If your own fingers are too big to get in there, use a thin cylindrical tool to sculpt between the base of the fingers.
Step 19: Remove the fingers from their joints.
To create a light impression for each joint in the fingers, use a small, thin cylindrical object.The smaller your sculpture, the more likely you will break your finger if the indent is too sharp.
Step 20: Put the knuckles together.
It's time to work on its back.The balls of clay should be placed at the base of the fingers.Until they are seamless, smooth them into place.
Step 21: Finish the wrist.
The wrist along the back of the hand should mirror the front.Then slice a thin layer of clay from the back of the hand just above the wrist.
Step 22: Make sure to double-check your work.
Smooth the clay where it is needed.If the area has been smoothed too much, apply clay to fix it.
Step 23: Add more details.
To study the lines in your palm, use your own hand.To trace them, use a needle.If you want to flip the hand over, do it with your fingernails.
Step 24: Take a picture of your hand.
You can use your hand to see how your fingers and thumb work together.To replicate your sculpture, bend its fingers.
Step 25: You can bake your sculpture.
Follow the directions on the packaging.Special instructions may be given to different types of clay.
Step 26: A lot of rubber mold.
It is necessary to fill a container large enough to fit your entire hand.If you want your hand to not come into contact with the container itself, choose a container that is large enough.The brand of rubber mold you use should be safe for human contact.
Step 27: Put your hand in the warm water.
The pose you want to replicate requires you to hold your thumb and fingers.Keep your hand away from the sides and bottom by dipping it into the mold.You should leave a half-inch of mold between your hand and the container.
Step 28: Allow the mold to set.
Keep your hand posed within the mold for as long as the directions say it needs to set.If necessary, wiggle your thumb, fingers, and hand to loosen them.Slowly pull out your hand.Don't make movements that might disturb the cast you just made.
Step 29: A lot of plaster.
Prepare to fill the entire mold.The plaster should be poured into the mold.If you want the plaster to coat the insides of your mold, you have to manipulate the container.The plaster should be allowed to settle a bit to avoid air pockets.
Step 30: The rest of your plaster should be poured.
The entire mold should be filled.If there are air pockets, bang the table a few times.If you don't see bubbles on the surface, then stop.
Step 31: Allow the plaster set to be used.
Wait for the time indicated by the directions.Then put the container on the table.Remove the plaster cast from the rubber mold with a plastic knife, piece by piece.
Step 32: The plaster cast needs to be cleaned.
There may be room for extra plaster in the rubber mold.Remove with sand paper or a small knife.Either paint your cast as you please or leave it as is.