Step 13. TOOL USING! Everything thus far has been done by hand (except if you used scissors and pliers!). Now it's time to extend the effectiveness of our hands through the use of a sculpting tool...the toothpick. But our toothpick is special because we've rounded one end so now our tool has three surfaces we'll use. Three, you ask? Yes, indeed. Our toothpick has a rounded end for pushing the surface of our clay around; it has a pointy (well, mine didn't have a very good point, but it was pointier than the round end!) end to draw across the surface of the clay; and it has a wonderful, rounded side that will be of great use to us. So much so that we'll use it first!

First take the pointy end of the toothpick and draw a ring around the waist so you have some idea where the top of the pants are. Then take the pointy end of the toothpick and place it, well, right in the crotch at the seat of the pants. Now press and roll the toothpick away from the start point so that it creates a long depression, i.e.. a fold! This may take a little practice, so if your first few look terrible, just push the clay back in place and do it again. Follow the pattern in the photo and when it looks like that...next step!

Here's the back of the knees. A different pattern, but the same technique. The toothpick starts pointed down. Press gently into the clay and roll the rounded end of the toothpick towards the front of the figure.

Take your time, these are basic skills that you'll use time and time again, so keep doing it until it feels comfortable or until it looks good!

Here I've added a couple of folds from the upper front of the lower leg to the lower back of the lower leg. We'll take a closer look at the pattern for the front in a minute. But now let's do one of those things that looks impressive, but is really easy.