Tutorials for Sculpey polymer clay users

Skinner Color Blends Explanation and Instruction

The Skinner Blend results in a gradation of colors from light to dark and creates beautiful depth; the Blend was developed by Judith Skinner. It is important to keep your work space clean and to frequently clean your hands after using other colors.

How to make Skinner Blends:

Basic 2-color Blend | 3-color Blend | Rainbow Blend (6-colors)

Basic 2-color Blend:

Begin with two colors that you will have "fade" from one into the other. A general rule of thumb is to use equal amounts of clay for an even blend (for example, 2 oz of red and 2 oz of white). Condition separately using a #1 setting on your pasta machine, lighter color(s) first. The resulting sheets should be the width of your pasta machine. Cut equal size 90 degree triangles of each color.

Fold the bottom of the joined triangles up to the top. Insert the folded bottom into the pasta machine, keeping it in the same orientation when it comes out of the rollers.

Fold again in the SAME direction and roll through with the fold inserted FIRST. Repeat 20 times until the blend is smooth and complete, colors are gradated as shown.

When the blend is complete, run the blended clay through the pasta machine on a #3 setting.

3-color Blend:

Cut triangles and place together as shown in the photo below. Note that the outside pieces are just one triangle cut in half.

Fold this assembly in half from top to bottom. Roll through the pasta machine FOLD-FIRST on a #1 setting. Keep folding and rolling, always in the same direction. This will take about 20 times

Now you have your final blend. See how the colors flow! Now, fold in half and roll with a brayer or rod to remove any air bubbles. You now have 2 layers of clay in a #1 thickness.

Rainbow Blend:

For the rainbow blend, lay your triangles in the pattern indicated in the photo, following the left to right arrangement of colors.

Split the yellow triangle down the middle and put one half on the other side of the green to create a rectangle.

Fold the blend in half from TOP TO BOTTOM.

Run through your pasta machine, folded portion first. Continue folding in the SAME direction and running through the machine. It takes about 20-25 repetitions of these two steps -- don't give up!

The final blend should look something like this:

Now carefully run this through the pasta machine to make it thinner (#3 on the pasta machine. Make it thinner, but don't spread out the colors.

Skinner Blend directions and examples taken from the following projects:

Autumn Leaves Vessels 'n Votives
Gingerbread Candy House
Celtic-Look Pendants
Cool and Easy Geometric Vase