Maquette for a bird

I am in the process of making a clay bird using paper clay;which I haven't used before.I started by cutting and shaping chicken wire ;which I am told will be ok to be fired in the kiln.I have made it so that it has feet splaying out in the hope that they will act as an anchor when put into the base.
With alot of sculptures the inside has to be hollowed out.For this reason I decided to stuff the inside with paper.The reason for this was so that I could get the clay to stick to the wire without filling up the whole of the centre ;and so the paper would act as a barrier. See pictures below .If it was solid clay the chances are that it would crack in the kiln..
I have since taken some paper out while I have been building up the sculpture in case the amount of paper is too dense.I have also had to make holes in the clay to allow for air to escape while firing.
more to follow.
    

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