I’ve previously shared a guide on making a DIY wire sculpture with an air-dry clay base. You should paint that base, but can you do so before it dries? You should not paint wet air-dry clay before it dries. You should only paint on air-dry clay after drying or before the sculpting and drying process.
Can You Paint Air-Dry Clay Before It Dries? - Craft Your Happy Place
How to use air dry clay: Drying, sealing, & painting air dry clay designs!
How to Make Paint Palettes with Air Dry Clay - Paper and Stitch
How to: colour air drying clay with acrylic paint
Play Cookies with Air-Dry Clay - Our Daily Craft
Air Dry Clay Handprint Ring Dish
20 Air Dry Clay projects that will instantly wow you! - Delineate Your Dwelling
How to Use Air-dry Clay to Make Christmas Ornaments - Creative Fabrica
Make a DIY Terracotta Bead Garland with Air Dry Clay - Perfecting Places
Make a DIY Terracotta Bead Garland with Air Dry Clay - Perfecting Places
DIY - easy Air Dry Clay projects for Home Decor