Clay question

[MisriahArmory]

Sorry if it's in the wrong section, I don't really know where it has to be posted.

I want to know if this clay (http://www.dickblick.com/zz332/32/) can be used for molding. It is a oil clay with no sulphur. (I contacted them)

I bought Chavant before and cost me like 12$ for 3 pounds.

Blick is selling 5 pounds for 6$.

And I don't know if it's me, but the chavant clay I bought was "Medium" and it was hard like a brick. I used a saw to cut it. Still unusable, even if I work with my hands for like 25 min.

Any suggestions for better cheap clays?

I would like a oil clay with no-sulphur, because I will mold with Rebound ^^

 

[DarkHelmet]

WED (Walt E. Disney) Clay is the best. It's water based, but has Glycerine in it to inhibit the drying time.

I just bought 25 lbs of WED clay from monstermakers for 15.00.

It's used by most EFX artist to sculpt and mold from.

 

[MisriahArmory]

What you mean with Glycerine? Not sure I understand sorry :S

 

[DarkHelmet]

Since WED clay is water based, it will air dry pretty quickly, which means it will shrink and crack.

Glycerine is added so it stays moist longer while exposed long periods of time to the air while it's being worked on.

 

[MisriahArmory]

Okay. Are you covering the model with something when you are not working it?

 

[DarkHelmet]

Yes, cover it in plastic.

 

[MisriahArmory]

Okay thanks.

 

[exoray]

What you mean with Glycerine?

KY Jelly, fog machine juice

It's a clear, non toxic, wet slippery jelly like substance...

 

[MisriahArmory]

And at what proportion do you add it to the clay?

 

[exoray]

And at what proportion do you add it to the clay?

Already mixed in the WED clay so it doesn't dry out as fast...

 

[weaselflinger]

Clay preference really depends on many things, such as how fast do you work, how large is you sculpture, will you need an armature, what's the armature made of, what do you plan to make the mold of, what is the final cast material, what kind of surface texture are you looking for, etc.

Chavant hardness is really an advantage in many applications, and it can be easily softened with things such as heat lamps or microwaves.

WED clay also had advantages, but it depends on what you are doing.

 

[DarkHelmet]

If you can master Chavant, it really is a wonderful clay to sculpt with.

 

[MisriahArmory]

Basically sculpting on a mannequin head. But I'm slow, it can takes months before a finish a sculpt. That's why I'm unsure with water clay.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Basically sculpting on a mannequin head. But I'm slow, it can takes months before a finish a sculpt. That's why I'm unsure with water clay.

WED is CHEAP. All you have to do is keep it covered.

 

[jedikanol]

with chavant if you want to, put it in the microwave for about 3 min on low and it will soften it up but be carefull it will be hot like allmost 2nd degree burns if you do it for too long

 

[Yodajammies]

Really? You can nuke Chavant without any damage to the clay? :confused

 

[DarkHelmet]

Really? You can nuke Chavant without any damage to the clay? :confused

Nope. Some people melt it into liquid and use it to pour into molds.

 

[The Wook]

Yeah but after you've nuked clay to soften it up, is it then safe to consume food that you heat in that microwave? My guess would be that it is not safe, but I'm speculating.

The Wook

 

[DarkHelmet]

Yeah but after you've nuked clay to soften it up, is it then safe to consume food that you heat in that microwave? My guess would be that it is not safe, but I'm speculating.

The Wook

As far as I know, it's pretty safe as long as you are not using the sulpher based stuff.

Can always heat it up on the stove top in a dedicated pan.

 

[PTK]

when i work with chavant i usually either keep it on a small metal baking pan in a cheap toaster oven on low, or i also have a small, quickly thrown together plywood box lined with tinfoil with a 75 wat bulb in it, keeps the clay nice and soft....like other people have said, chavant is really great stuff once you get use to it.