clay/sculpting know it alls - need help

[Gigatron]

Hey gang,

I was wondering if anyone can reccomend an air dry clay that doesn't shrink/crack (much, at least).

I was sculpting some IJ:TOD Sankara Stones and I used some regular air dry Activ-Clay from Michael's. I sculpted them over empty soda cans (to save weight and clay) and this morning, the clay had shrunk considerably and cracked beyond repair.

So, what can anyone reccomend for this project?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[Blad]

Would be interested in this too as every time I've used air-drying clay it's been a freaking disaster, making me feel a right airhole.

 

[Jedirick]

WED Clay Walter E. Disney A water based clay great for large sculptures. It has a smooth, fine grain. It hardens to a leathery finish with less cracking than most water based clays. Also requires less water to maintain moistness. Average shrinkage is 5%, + o r- 2%, average water absorption is 10%.

This clay has been specially formulated to be a very smooth, slow drying clay for modeling. It is used primarily by design studios and the entertainment industry for modeling, design, mock-up and tooling. It is not formulated to be fired but can if needed. Wed clay is grey when wet and buff when fired.

 

[ob1al]

I posted a tutorial for Sankara Stones out of airclay a couple of years ago on COW:

http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=9356

Also on TPZ:

http://1.myfreebulletinboard.com/wwwlordof...in-about30.html

At the time, I used a product called 'Air Clay', made by Humbrol. Inexpensive and easy to work with.

If you want to fill the inside how about using some sponge, which will contract as the clay contracts and therefore avoid any cracks? I just used solid clay for mine, it dried thouroughly within a week or so.

Regards

Al

 

[Tol Skorr]

Magic Sculpt, Magic Sculpt, Magic Sculpt.... I swear by this stuff. 2 part/air dry with no shink or cracking. Can be filed, drilled, machined when cured. I wont use anything else but this stuff.

 

[Gigatron]

Thanks for the replies gang .

I can't seem to find anyplace that actually sells WED clay, or a place in the US that sells Humbrol air clay. Magic sculp looks good, but man is it expensive.

How about this stuff: http://www.dickblick.com/zz332/12/ any feelings or thoughts about this stuff?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[ob1al]

I've never actually used it, but it certainly looks to be the right stuff.

 

[DarthJRW]

that stuffs great .

ive used it a couple of times

 

[The Manlet]

Originally posted by Tol Skorr@Apr 9 2006, 01:36 PM
Magic Sculpt, Magic Sculpt, Magic Sculpt.... I swear by this stuff. 2 part/air dry with no shink or cracking. Can be filed, drilled, machined when cured. I wont use anything else but this stuff.

[snapback]1223124[/snapback]​

Magic sculpt is worth its weight in gold to bad it cost about as much as gold

 

[The Manlet]

Originally posted by Gigatron@Apr 9 2006, 01:55 PM
Thanks for the replies gang .

I can't seem to find anyplace that actually sells WED clay, or a place in the US that sells Humbrol air clay.  Magic sculp looks good, but man is it expensive.

How about this stuff: http://www.dickblick.com/zz332/12/  any feelings or thoughts about this stuff?

Thanks,
Fred

[snapback]1223132[/snapback]​

if your looking for WED clay the compleat sculptor sells it, there based in NYC
http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/clay/waterbased2.htm

they may even sell humbrol air clay check them out
hope that helps.

 

[Gigatron]

Originally posted by GundamZeppelin+Apr 9 2006, 10:51 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GundamZeppelin @ Apr 9 2006, 10:51 PM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-Gigatron

@Apr 9 2006, 01:55 PM
Thanks for the replies gang .

I can't seem to find anyplace that actually sells WED clay, or a place in the US that sells Humbrol air clay.  Magic sculp looks good, but man is it expensive.

How about this stuff: http://www.dickblick.com/zz332/12/  any feelings or thoughts about this stuff?

Thanks,
Fred

[snapback]1223132[/snapback]​

if your looking for WED clay the compleat sculptor sells it, there based in NYC
http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/clay/waterbased2.htm

they may even sell humbrol air clay check them out
hope that helps.

[snapback]1223248[/snapback]​

[/b]

They carry WED but only in 50lb quantities. I hope the sankara stones weigh a lot less than that :lol. They don't carry the humbrol.

So, it looks like the stuff from dickblick it is.

Any other suggestions, feel free to post them up. I'm sure other people can use this info as well.

-Fred

 

[Gigatron]

Originally posted by ob1al@Apr 9 2006, 06:15 PM
I posted a tutorial for Sankara Stones out of airclay a couple of years ago on COW:

http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=9356

Also on TPZ:

http://1.myfreebulletinboard.com/wwwlordof...in-about30.html

At the time, I used a product called 'Air Clay', made by Humbrol. Inexpensive and easy to work with.

If you want to fill the inside how about using some sponge, which will contract as the clay contracts and therefore avoid any cracks? I just used solid clay for mine, it dried thouroughly within a week or so.

Regards

Al

[snapback]1223105[/snapback]​

Cool tutorial, Al .

I see you recently changed the dimensions listed from 6.5"hx3.5"d to 8x8x13cm (about 5"h x 3"d). Are they really that short, or are the dimensions 8"hx13cm (3")d?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[ob1al]

The 6.5" x 3.5" was really a 'guesstimate' by me, based on screen grabs and reference images.

The 8 x 8 x 13cm is taken from the 'Star Wars Archives' reference book - but it's clear from looking at the props that they actually vary in size, quite substantially - some are taller, others wider etc...

Personally, I would go for a 6.5" x 3.5" sculpt - after it dries it will slightly shrink anyway. Or if maing a set of 3, make each of them slightly different in height, girth and shape.

Regards

Al

 

[Jedirick]

Originally posted by Gigatron@Apr 9 2006, 02:55 PM
Thanks for the replies gang .

I can't seem to find anyplace that actually sells WED clay, or a place in the US that sells Humbrol air clay.  Magic sculp looks good, but man is it expensive.



Thanks,
Fred

[snapback]1223132[/snapback]​

http://www.getspfx.com/EM-217%20-%20WED%20Clay.asp

 

[JDarko]

just a heads up, if you aren't planning on molding and casting them, WED clay would be a bad idea. Especially with the soda can interior. Its great for getting a hard enough surface to mold, but it cracks and breaks up if not stored slightly wet/ spritzed and put under a plastic bag. Will break up even more so if you use an armature.
Just my two pennies.....

 

[steveo]

Any water based clay will dry and crack if not "cured" properly. As stated above, you need to keep it spritzed and covered. If need be, wet a cloth or paper towel and squeeze out most of the water. Place this over the clay and cover with a plastic bag. Any air will start the process of drying.

 

[Volpin]

APOXIE SCULPT!

This stuff is heaven. Similar to magic sculpt - 2 part, air drying, non-cracking, machinable and sandable. A bit pricey if you want to do larger things, but excellent for detail work.

An example of something I'm working on right now, with white and orange apoxie sculpt:

 

[Miracleman]

APOXIE SCULPT!

This stuff is heaven. Similar to magic sculpt - 2 part, air drying, non-cracking, machinable and sandable. A bit pricey if you want to do larger things, but excellent for detail work.

An example of something I'm working on right now, with white and orange apoxie sculpt:

And......it even come in metallic colours. Its really good stuff:thumbsup

 

[DragonStar]

That looks awesome!

 

[Mostly Fantasy]

I vote for Aves as well- you won't have to worry about shrinkage, can use just about anything for a core/armature, and can mold it later if you change your mind.