Follow the manufacturer's temperature instructions exactly (usually between 265°F/130°C and 275°F/135°C). Use an external oven thermometer to avoid spiking temperatures, which can scorch the clay.
Condition your clay by kneading it in your hands until it is warm and pliable.
Blocking is about silhouettes, not details. Focus on "The Big Three": Head, Ribcage, and Pelvis.
Think like a 3D cartoonist: break the character into simple volumes.
Let's walk through a simplified version of a generic beginner project to show you how the process unfolds in practice.
