HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN COLONY OF PEBBLE PENGUINS
WHY not make your own cute penguin colony? It might be worth doing some research before you start, as not all penguin species are the same colour.
Expert Dyan deNapoli explains: “All penguins have a white front, and most have a black back. A few penguins have dark grey backs, and Little Blues actually have blue backs!
“You can identify each of the 19 penguin species just by looking at the feather patterns and colours on their heads.”
At the final stage of this make, either glue your penguins in place on their rock to make an ornament or leave them loose if you would like to play with them.
YOU WILL NEED
Pebbles of different sizes Paint in your chosen colours (acrylic works best)
A piece of scrap paper Air-drying clay
PVA glue (optional)
METHOD
1.
To paint your pebbles, start with the penguin’s feathers – we chose black – leaving a space for a tummy. When it is dry, paint on your penguin’s white tummy and eyes. Next paint on a beak and any other details. When the white eye paint is dry, paint in some black pupils.
2. When the paint is dry on your penguins, take a small chunk of air-drying clay and roll it into a ball. How much you need will depend upon how many penguins you have and how big they are.
3. Put a piece of scrap paper down to protect your work surface. Flatten your clay ball out on the paper with the palm of your hand. Push each penguin into it in turn, arranging to make a colony (see picture). Each penguin should be deep enough into the clay so that it stands up.
4. Leave the penguins in place until the clay is completely dry and hard. This can take up to 24 hours.
5. Gently remove the penguins from the clay base. You will see a small dent where each penguin fits (see picture). Paint the base and leave to dry. Don’t worry if there are cracks in the clay, these won’t show up as much when the base is painted.
6. You can glue the penguins back in place on their rock if you wish, or leave them loose so you can take them off.