Interesting that you build up from the bottom. This already looks really awesome tho!

Thank you, it seems more convenient for me. I prefer to sculpt and bake from the bottom up
But not always. It all depends on the specific case

What's the brand name of this clay? And is it newbie friendly?

This is fimo professional

Hmm, I can’t say what it is for a beginner. I used only three firms and three types of polymer clay: fimo professional, cernit (don’t remember which one) and sculpey premo. I chose the first purely because of the convenience of working specifically for myself, each crafter has his own attitude to various manufacturers

But everyone agrees that the most convenient "clay" is super sculpey firm, but I have not used it, since it has one significant drawback - it is fragile, familiar sculptors who are involved in casting and making master models often encounter the fact that after extraction from shaped figure breaks or cracks

Recently, the creators of monster clay (plasticine) have developed their polymer clay - cosclay. It seems like the convenience of work and strength is somewhere between ss firm and strong polymer clay like premo or fimo. Well, or something like that, I definitely can’t say
This "clay" is not yet available for sale, but soon it will be possible to buy it (it seems to be this July; I will wait until it appears in my country, then I will try it from personal experience)

I think, I'll look into this "monster clay" as you mentioned. I want to make some figurines for loves ones and if it's a strong semi flexible plastic when it cures, all the better! Thank you, my esteemed artist for your insight. It's appreciated

"Monster clay" is a plasticine, it is not suitable for making ready-made figures (only for making a master model) (www.monstermakers.com/monster-clay-.....s-1/4-lb.-sample-pack/)
Polymer clay is "cosclay" (https://www.monstermakers.com/cosclay)

And here is "ss firm" (which is fragile, but comfortable) - https://www.sculpey.com/super-sculp.....r-sculpey-firm