Begin by sketching out an idea for your clay sun. You can also include part of the moon and the face of your clay sun. Slice off a piece of clay and begin molding it into a circle shaped. This will become the center part of your clay sun. Try and smooth out the circle as much as possible. Use small pieces of clay to shape your petals or rays.

Next, use your clay needle to score the base end of your petals and the corresponding place on the circle. Rub a little water or slip onto the score marks. Use your clay knife to join the seam. Shape a medium sized piece of clay into a crescent to make the moon. Use your clay needle to trim excess off and smooth out the edges.

Next, use a small piece of clay to make an eye. Use your clay needle to trim the clay to the right shape. Using the same process, form lips out of small pieces of clay. Attach the moon, eye, and lips to the sun by scoring and slipping them into place. Smooth the two edges into one seam with your clay knife. Use your fingers and water to smooth the entire surface of your clay sun.

Next, use the tip of the pencil to draw details such as eyelashes and any textures you want to add to the smooth surface of the sun. Let your clay sun dry for 24 hours.

Next, pick the color scheme from your acrylic paints. Begin painting your clay sun, remember to paint your edges and that you can use the red color of the terracotta clay as one of your colors. You can use paint pens for accents that are too small to paint with your paintbrushes. Continue painting until you think it's finished. Enjoy your terracotta clay sun.