DIY Ganesha Clay Sculpture At Home USA

Learn how to make a Ganesha clay sculpture at home, this is is an eco friendly option that takes up just an hour of your time and a great way to involve kids. This version uses air-dry clay that’s widely available at craft stores or online

Ganesha is a Hindu Deity and he is worshipped widely around the world. He is usually identified as the Elephant Headed God and is believed to be the remover of all obstacles.

Growing up in Bangalore, I remember vividly, how the streets would be lined with colorful Ganesha clay sculptures awaiting the festival. Living in Minnesota now, I have started homemade traditions with my kids. I hope this tutorial will be helpful to you.

What you Will Need:

For your DIY Ganesha Clay Sculpture, you can use any of the following air dry clays.

• Air dry modeling clay- (about 1lb for a small sculpture) – brands like Crayola air-dry clay, DAS, or similar are easy to find at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Amazon. Below are three brands I have used and loved.
  • Air dry clay by Crayola Terracotta
  • Air dry clay by Crayola White
  • Mont Marte Grey Air Hardening Modeling Clay
  • DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay.
• A work surface (wax paper, craft mat, or a paper plate)
• Clay sculpting tools or household tools (toothpicks, plastic knife)
• A damp cloth to keep clay moist
• Water cup for smoothing joints
• You can also print out or draw a Ganesha to refer to while sculpting.

how to make ganesha clay sculpture at home Step By Step Tutorial

How to make your Ganesha clay sculpture at home step by step photo tutorial.

1. Create the body: Roll and smoothen a ball of clay to make the Ganesha’s torso. Flatten it slightly so it sits steady on your surface.
2. Shape the legs: Roll two equal logs of clay for the legs. Bend them into a relaxed, seated shape and flatten the toes. Press the torso between them using a little water to help pieces stick.
3. Add Details: Roll thin clay ropes to make jewelry like a necklace or sacred thread and gently attach them. Use a toothpick to make designs on the leg and necklace (optional)
4. Make the head: Roll out another ball of clay about the same size as the stomach. Roll between your palms and then slowly elongate just one end to make a the trunk. Curve the trunk to your liking and smooth edges with a damp tool or finger. Add simple eyes and other face features. Attach head to the body with a little water or a toothpick support.

5. Arms and Hands: Roll two small logs for arms and position them at the sides.
6. Make Palms: Add palms and optional bracelets or small symbols (like laddoos).
7. Ears and Crown: Press and flatten clay to make a flat surface. Using a toothpick draw a curved shape for the ears and then add designs onto it. Carefully attach ears to both sides of the head. Fashion a small crown from clay and place it on top. For extra charm, you can sculpt a tiny mouse companion.
8. Drying: Put your sculpture on a paper plate or craft board to dry. Let it air dry completely. Drying time for this size would be atleast 12 hours.

9. Paint (Optional) – Once fully dry, use acrylic craft paints to color your Ganesha. If you are new to paints, here is helpful guide talking about what is acrylic paint. Seal your Ganesha clay sculpture with a clear craft varnish if you want extra durability and plan to display this beyond Ganesh Chathurthi.

5 Tips For Your ganesha clay sculpture

Keep these tips in mind when making your Ganesha clay sculpture at home

1. Place your ball of clay under a damp towel to keep it moist longer. Air Dry Clay will dry quickly. If you find that you are working slower take just a small ball of clay out of the box/bag each time. Place that ball of clay under a damp towel to keep it moist longer.
2. Always pull out a small ball of fresh clay to make smaller details like the jewelry. If you use clay that has sat on the table and been exposed to the air for even 5 or 10 minutes, you will not be able to create finely-detailed jewelry. Even if you do manage to knead the clay and create a thin rope of jewelry- it will most likely develop cracks while drying. 
3. Use liquid glue or small toothpicks to create structure. Since I am a slow and meticulous sculptor, I have a few hacks that I use to ensure that Ganesha clay sculpture holds together nicely. I cut a toothpick into bits and insert that as support between joints- Like where the hands join the body, etc. You can also add a tiny drop of glue if you are not certain. 
4. Place your idol on a paper plate to dry. Allow enough time for your Ganesha to dry. It can take anywhere from 12hrs to 3 days depending on the size you choose to make. To speed up the drying I like to place my Ganesha on a paper plate instead of any other surface. The paper will absorb some of the moisture from the bottom of the idol as it dries.
5. Paint or seal the Clay Ganesh only after it is completely dry. If you plan to paint your Clay Ganesh, you want to use craft paints and paint the idol only after it has completely dried. Many times I just let the clay dry and enjoy the natural terracotta look.
6. Store your excess clay: I just tightly fold, wrap and tape up the rest of the clay. I pull this same clay out to make diyas for diwali. If you store it in a cool place (like the basement) the clay will be usable for next years’ festival too.  

I hope these tips on how to make your Ganesha clay sculpture at home help you make your own Ganeshas.

How long does Clay Ganesh Making at home take?

This Ganesha clay sculpture took me about 2 hours from start to finish. I was really ambitious and made a 4 armed Ganesha and added so many tiny details and decorations!

This year, my kids sat at the table with me and were very curious about how the idol was being made. They helped me with the smaller pieces and made the “laddoos” and tusks for the idol themselves.

If are not a crafter or DIYer, do not be afraid to try making an eco friendly Ganesha clay sculpture at home. Make a simple one to begin with and enjoy the process.