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The structure of animals is key when it comes to creating an animal sculpture that looks as real as possible. Like people, animals have bones and muscles that enable them to move and take form. When you learn about other animals, you can see how their bodies work and how they are made.

When making animal sculptures, it's crucial to begin sculpting with a strong base, known as an armature. 

The armature is similar to the bones of your sculpture. It supports everything while you’re adding layers of clay or some other stuff. By shaping the armature to resemble the animal's bones you wish to sculpt, you can make sure that your final piece looks like the one you have in mind.

And you should also have an idea about animal muscles, apart from bones. 

The ability to move and interact with the world is so common that most of us assume it is not only a defining feature of animals, but a bio-logical inevitability. You can bring life to your animal sculptures by sculpting muscles correctly in the appropriate places.

These techniques for adding fur, feathers, scales and such are crucial in bringing your sculptures to life. 

Animals have different coverings that help protect them and help keep them the right temperature. You can also achieve the look and feel of fur, feathers or scales through the use of tools, such as texture stamp and carving tools.

For instance if you're sculpting a lion you might use a comb tool to suggest the lion's mane. 

If you are creating a bird, you might press a feather texture stamp into its wings. Experimenting with different tools and methods may help you achieve what you're after in the appearance of your animal sculptures.

One other key element to depicting realistic animals is to convey feelings and movements. 

Just as humans do, animals communicate through body language and facial expressions. By paying attention to these little signals, you can help bring your sculptures to life with  personality.

To portray emotion in your sculptures, consider the animal’s body, the way its head is titled, the look on its face. 

Is the animal standing tall, or is it in a crouched and fearful posture? Is its mouth open in a snarl, or is that just the hint of a gentle smile? Sculpt the details of you can show a range of emotions (to those who will look at your work).

Materials and tools you need to sculpting realistic animals 

To mold realistic animals you will need Clay of course, sculpting tool, armature wire and oven to bake your sculptures. Clay is a malleable and user-friendly material that allows you to build form and incorporate detail. Knives, brushes and stylus tools enable you to carefully sculpt your sculptures.

One Reason You'll Want Armature Wire 

It is important to have a firm structure to build on when you create sculptures, especially when working with heavier materials such as polymer clay or resin. A kiln is necessary to bake clay sculptures so that they become strong and durable. Good material, good tools and you can make good sculpture.

Step 13 The final touch to make your animal sculptures look believable is observing small details and the proportions. 

Focusing on small details—such as the shape of an animal’s ears, the length of its tail and the bend in its body—can truly alter just how lifelike your sculpture appears. By working in on these details that you can give a sculpture a sense of the animal that you are trying to capture.