Cheap alternatives to Sculpey

[Frank]

I want to try to sculpt the Skulls of Touganda starting with the jade one, however Sculpey tends to be very expensive down here in Brazil. I was wondering if there are any cheap alternatives to Sculpey, considering it's the only clay I know how to use.

 

[Ramiel]

Sculpey is really expensive here in Italy as well, but to save money you could build up the basic shape of the skull with tin foil and add the sculpey over it to save a LOT of material... Unfortunately I don't know a good, cheaper, alternative to Sculpey...

 

[Riceball]

Sculpey is really expensive here in Italy as well, but to save money you could build up the basic shape of the skull with tin foil and add the sculpey over it to save a LOT of material... Unfortunately I don't know a good, cheaper, alternative to Sculpey...

That's what I'd do, I'd find something cheap to use as base and simply put a layer of sculpey over it. Aluminum foil would work or you could crumple up old news papers and use tape to hold it together or you could use paper mache; pretty much anything would work as long it holds its shape enough for the sculpey to go over without deforming.

 

[ob1al]

I prefer sculpting with milliput, but that tends to be expensive on larger pieces too.

I generally build up as much as I can with cheap materials - card, bodyfiller, whatever - then add the more expensive milliput as an outer layer. Still get through a LOT of the stuff though.

Other alternatives, if you are molding and casting, are chavant and those types of clay. The good thing about using that stuff is, once you are molded up you can scrunch it together again and reuse it.

 

[Contec]

Paperclay like this http://www.paperclay.com/product.htm
Or aluminum foil with bondo.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Cernit.

 

[Jarvis B]

Hey Frank , are these skulls something you want to mold and cast or a one time build?

 

[GeneralFROSTY]

Can't you buy Sculpey online? I have also seen a 'generic' Sculpey at my local arts n' crafts store - looks just like it but called something else.