How to Build an Army of Plasticine Soldiers

Who among us did not play with toy soldiers during childhood? So why not build them?

The project deals with the creation of war soldiers, those with swords and shields. I created these soldiers out of an old childhood love in which I would build whole armies in order to defeat the armies of my brothers, and bring honor to the family.

1)     Plasticine – 2 kinds

2)     Toothpicks

3)     Scissors

1. Get a surface measuring at least 0.5X0.5 meters. You are going to get dirty.
2. Place the work materials on the side of the work surface.
3. Cut the plasticine wrapper with scissors.

Start with the shield:

• Choose a color (the soldier will have a different color).
• Cut a piece of plasticine.
• Roll the piece into a ball shape.
• Crush the piece so that it'll have a flat shape like a shield.
• Put the shield aside.

Shape The Head:

• Cut a piece of plasticine from the different color of the shield.
• Roll the piece into a ball shape.
• This will be the soldier's head. Put it aside.

Shape the body:

• Cut a large piece of plasticine, about 5 times the size of the head (the same color as the head).
• Roll the piece into a ball.
• Squeeze the piece into a square.
• Shape legs and arms.
• Place the soldier on the work surface.

Attach the shield to one of the arms:

• Take a toothpick.
• Break the toothpick in half.
• Take one end of the toothpick and insert it in the middle of the shield.
• Hold on one hand the soldier's body, as you hold the shield with the other hand.
• Insert one end of the half-toothpick, vertically, into the soldier's hand so that the other end is attached to the shield.
• Make sure you do not see the toothpick. If necessary, cut a piece of plasticine (the same color of the shield) and cover the toothpick in the middle of the shield.

Attach the head to the body:

• Take the other end of the toothpick (from the previous step).
• Insert it in the center of the ball you prepared as the soldier's head (step 3).
• Insert the other end in where you want to place the head, above the soldier's body.

Give the soldier a sword so it can fight with dignity:

• Take a toothpick.
• Break the toothpick in half.
• Insert one half to the soldier's free arm (be sure to insert the non-sharp part, as the sharp part is used for combat).

Make more soldiers so you'll have good odds to win the war!

Good luck!