Hello All.
For several years I've been floating around this idea to make life-size statues of various fantasy/comic characters. I'm a little hesitant to mention it because I've received my fair share of puzzled looks and rolled eyes. But I'm at a point where I need some advice.
Earlier this year, I picked up this great headless mannequin (finding one that isn't a tooth pick isn't easy) that I'm using as the base for this character. After repeated attempts to sculpt a head myself... with comical/sad results.. I was finally able to commission something for a local artist through the Portland Craigslist at a great bargain.
The artist did a great job but head has been rendered in WED clay. I just got the sculpt this weekend and the silicone I ordered is scheduled to arrive on Monday. The RTV I'm getting is meant to be brushed and that has added to the few questions.
I am keeping the scult hydrated and bagged so it doesn't dry. When I do decided to brush on the silicone, I recall somewhere that I should use a blowdryer to harden the outside surface of the clay. Is that correct?
I've also read that I don't need to treat the clay with anything before I apply the RTV.
My biggest concern at this point is the application of silicone. Because the I won't be able to start putting the silicone on until Monday night... and I will be needing to brush on several layers... is the silicone going to pull moisture from the sculpt and cause it start cracking if it makes me a few days to brush on each layer of silicone. When purchasing the RTV I did have the foresight to get some thinner, but didn't get an accelerator.
So, essentially I have three questions.
1) will blow drying the WED clay harden the outside enough to brush silicone?
2) The outside of the WED doesn't need to be treated before silicone is brushed on.
3) Taking 2-3 days to brush on the silicone isn't going to cause the sculpt to massively crack?
Any information or advice would create be appreciated.
For several years I've been floating around this idea to make life-size statues of various fantasy/comic characters. I'm a little hesitant to mention it because I've received my fair share of puzzled looks and rolled eyes. But I'm at a point where I need some advice.
Earlier this year, I picked up this great headless mannequin (finding one that isn't a tooth pick isn't easy) that I'm using as the base for this character. After repeated attempts to sculpt a head myself... with comical/sad results.. I was finally able to commission something for a local artist through the Portland Craigslist at a great bargain.
The artist did a great job but head has been rendered in WED clay. I just got the sculpt this weekend and the silicone I ordered is scheduled to arrive on Monday. The RTV I'm getting is meant to be brushed and that has added to the few questions.
I am keeping the scult hydrated and bagged so it doesn't dry. When I do decided to brush on the silicone, I recall somewhere that I should use a blowdryer to harden the outside surface of the clay. Is that correct?
I've also read that I don't need to treat the clay with anything before I apply the RTV.
My biggest concern at this point is the application of silicone. Because the I won't be able to start putting the silicone on until Monday night... and I will be needing to brush on several layers... is the silicone going to pull moisture from the sculpt and cause it start cracking if it makes me a few days to brush on each layer of silicone. When purchasing the RTV I did have the foresight to get some thinner, but didn't get an accelerator.
So, essentially I have three questions.
1) will blow drying the WED clay harden the outside enough to brush silicone?
2) The outside of the WED doesn't need to be treated before silicone is brushed on.
3) Taking 2-3 days to brush on the silicone isn't going to cause the sculpt to massively crack?
Any information or advice would create be appreciated.
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