Behind the Scenes: Creating a Sailor Moon Figurine

Creating a Sailor Moon figurine is always a joy - she's one of my most requested characters and holds a special place in many hearts. Today, I'll walk you through my process from start to finish.

Watch the Process in Action

I recently shared a behind-the-scenes video on TikTok showing the complete transformation of a Sailor Moon figurine from start to finish. This time-lapse captures the magic of bringing clay to life, from the initial sculpting through the detailed painting process.

@ginny.the.red

Behind the scenes: Creating a Sailor Moon figurine ✨🌙 #sailormoon #polymerclay #figurine #handmade #anime #sculpture #art #process

♬ original sound - ginny.the.red

The video showcases the entire creative journey - you can see how I carefully build up each layer of clay, add intricate details to her sailor outfit, and bring her iconic features to life through precise painting techniques. It's always exciting to see months of practice and technique condensed into these satisfying transformation moments!

Planning and Reference

Before I touch any clay, I spend time gathering reference images and planning the pose. For Sailor Moon, I love capturing her iconic transformation pose or her classic sailor outfit stance.

Key Elements to Consider:

Pose and Expression: Sailor Moon's confident, heroic stance

Costume Details: The sailor outfit, tiara, and accessories

Color Palette: Her signature blues, reds, and golds

Hair Flow: Those iconic twin buns and flowing blonde hair

Step 1: Creating the Base Structure

As shown in the video, I start by sculpting the basic body form directly with polymer clay. The foundation includes shaping the torso, legs, and arms in the classic Sailor Moon pose.

Step 2: Building the Sailor Outfit

The iconic sailor uniform comes next:

Sailor Top: Carefully sculpted with the signature collar and chest bow

Pleated Skirt: Built up in layers to create that flowing, dynamic look

Gloves and Boots: Added as integrated elements for seamless construction

Step 3: Facial Features and Expression

This is where the magic happens - sculpting Sailor Moon's distinctive face:

Large expressive eyes: Carefully shaped and positioned

Delicate nose and mouth: Subtle but essential for character recognition

Face structure: Maintaining the anime-style proportions

Step 4: The Signature Hair

One of the most recognizable elements:

Twin buns (odango): Perfectly round and positioned

Long flowing hair: Cascading down with natural movement

Hair texture: Adding realistic flow and volume

Step 5: Fine Details and Accessories

Adding the finishing touches that make her unmistakably Sailor Moon:

Tiara: The crescent moon centerpiece

Jewelry: Earrings and other small accessories

Costume details: Bows, trim, and fabric textures

Step 6: Painting and Color Application

The transformation really comes alive during painting:

Base colors: Skin tone, hair blonde, and sailor blue

Facial features: Eyes, eyebrows, and lip details

Costume accents: Red bows, gold trim, and color gradients

Final highlights: Adding depth and dimension

Time Investment

A complete Sailor Moon figurine typically takes me 8-12 hours spread across several days:

Day 1: Armature and basic sculpting (3-4 hours)

Day 2: Detail work and first baking (2-3 hours)

Day 3: Painting and finishing (3-5 hours)

The Finished Result

Each Sailor Moon figurine is unique, capturing the spirit of this beloved character while showcasing the handmade charm that makes clay art special.

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Interested in commissioning your own Sailor Moon figurine or another anime character? Check out my custom order process or browse available pieces in the shop.