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Silvermoonfall

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:31 am


I've started to grow tired of trying to find good references for my drawings and have decided to start sculpting them out first. This is where the fun begins.

I don't know what kind of clay would be best for this. I do not have access to a kiln, so I need clay that can dry without one.

Also, it needs to be rather inexpensive, if possible.

If I decide to paint them, I imagine acrylic paints are the way to go for just about any clay type. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

What would be best to use to keep the figures stabilized? Best way to keep them on a base?

What kind of tools would I be looking to get? Back when I was a kid, I would use things like string, fishing line, toothpicks, and paper clips when I couldn't do it with my fingers. All that is well and good, but can be a bit limited.

Any other information and tips would be great.

Thanks to any and all that can help me or even just give this topic a glance over! heart
PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:39 pm


If you're after something you can bake in a regular oven, then some kind of polymer clay is probably your best bet. There are air dry clays, but I've heard they're a bit hard to work with and you have to work fairly quickly? I've used Sculpey Premo which has worked pretty well for me and comes in a few colours; I've also heard a lot of pros use Super Sculpey for sculptures but haven't tried it yet.

So far I haven't really used any fancy tools other than the little plastic set that came with my clay sweatdrop I've only done fairly simple sculpts so far though, so you might need to look into some fancier things as you need them.

There's an amazing tutorial for using a maquette for sculpting here, and a more simple one here if you're interested - they also talk about the kinds of tools they use and how to set up the armature.

Good luck!

Chisa
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Silvermoonfall

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:51 pm


Thanks! I'll look into it. Any other suggestions?
PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:21 pm


      polymer clay is good. you bake it in the oven.

      if you're looking to make smallish models, sculpey iii is your best bet.
      it's not quite as durable, but it's muchhh easier to work with than sculpey premo or super sculpey.
      cheaper, too.

      i don't know what to tell you about paints, as i just use colored clay for my sculptures.

      wire through the legs is what i do.
      and a piece connecting the head to the torso.

      uhh. i have an x-acto knife and a needle. i use my fingernails for anything else.

scream aim fire


Silvermoonfall

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:57 pm


KK, thanks ^_^.
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Clay & Ceramics

 
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