Material advice for sculpting new piece...foam or clay?

[Cuty Patooty]

I've been contemplating making the tablet from Night At The Museum but I don't know which material would be best suited to make a sculpt from. Would it be easier to work with clay or a foam? Here's a photo of the tablet; any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Michael Bergeron]

If it were me I'd probably go with foam depending on how large it is. If it's just a small thing go with clay.

 

[Cuty Patooty]

If it were me I'd probably go with foam depending on how large it is. If it's just a small thing go with clay.

I'd say (and I'm just guesstimating) that it could be anywhere from 8.5" x 11" up to 10" x 12.5" judging by what it looks like in his hand

So in that sense, foam would be best even with the detail it entails?

 

[Michael Bergeron]

If you get the high density insulation foam it holds detail very well and most of that could be done with just scratches. That said a lot depends on what you're comfortable with.

Myself I'd probably make it in foam and cast it to make a final in resin, carving any extra details at that point. You could do the same with clay though and it's more forgiving.

 

[Cuty Patooty]

Thanks for the info O.B. hopefully this'll work out...here goes nothing

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Thanks for the info O.B. hopefully this'll work out...here goes nothing

And if it doesn't there's nothing stopping you from trying again! :thumbsup

 

[WKatzman]

you could try floral foam that is then painted smooth. That stuff can be cut to a slate shape easily then you could cave and even mold it to what you want. Plus its cheep

 

[Eunanibus]

It's like a giant aztec iPhone :lol

 

[Contec]

It's like a giant aztec iPhone :lol

or a jeopardy board

"I take Egypt rulers for 400!" :lol

 

[Cuty Patooty]

You guys crack me up! :lol

 

[Endoskeleton]

Another material you can look into is Balsa Foam. It's great stuff but on the expensive side. It will accomplish what you're looking to do and will also hold fine detail.

 

[Cuty Patooty]

Thanks, I'll look into these foams and clay. Unfortunately for me I just moved to San Antonio, Texas and from the looks of it they only have a Michaels and Hobby Lobby to get craft supplies from...and they seem limited to clay only :unsure

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Thanks, I'll look into these foams and clay. Unfortunately for me I just moved to San Antonio, Texas and from the looks of it they only have a Michaels and Hobby Lobby to get craft supplies from...and they seem limited to clay only :unsure

Get insulation foam from Home Depot. Once you get the general shape you can coat it in spackle compound and further sand & carve find detail. Then, if you're keen and it's really nice, you can mold it so that you can make it in more sturdy material.

Best part is the foam and spackle is cheap so you can screw up lots and not have to worry too much about it.

 

[BruGaleen]

If I was making a prop like that, I'd probably carve it out of plaster. Cast a blank of the basic shape, in the appropriate thickness, and then carve in the details. From this master, you can make a latex mold with a plaster jacket if you wanted to reproduce it. Just my two cents.

 

[Cuty Patooty]

All of these seem like great ideas. I found a Lowes and Home Depot so I'm going to check out the insulation foam/spackle supplies and work cheap to start. Given I get it right the first time around I'll upgrade to better materials. Thanks everyone for all your input