Sculpting?

[saber_wielder]

So what do you guys use for your sculpting? Do you use "klean klay"
? I bought some of it a while back because I was told that it wouldn't dry and was easy to work with...but it was like working with a piece of frozen taffy. Do I have to knead it a whole lot first or something?...I had a hard time even doing that.

Thanks,

Travis

 

[Fizbin]

I've never used Klean Klay, but maybe you got a old/bad batch, I donno. What most sculptors prefer (from what I've seen) is anything from Chavant, which can be found here:

http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/clay/Chavant/chavantindex.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[clonesix]

I use plain old water clay. That's right, the same stuff you made ashtrays out of in kindergarden. I like it because it's fast and $10 for 50lbs.

It starts off wet and squishy, and blocks out a shape very fast. As time passes, it becomes firmer. The firmer it becomes, the better/shaper the detail that you can sculpt into it.

If you keep a wet towel and a plastic bag over it, it will keep most sculpts moist and pliable for a year or more.

 

[saber_wielder]

Thanks for the feedback. I thought if you were going to cast molds off of it, it had to be the special sulfur-free stuff?

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Thanks for the feedback. I thought if you were going to cast molds off of it, it had to be the special sulfur-free stuff?

From my recollection: it does.

Would be easier to advise on what to use if you told a little more about the size of the sculpt and level of details you want to achieve. Different materials for different designs and sizes.

 

[saber_wielder]

I mostly want something for a sculpt all. I would like to do some helmets...as well as some smaller props...like the grenade from serenity( I am working on a metal version now, and want to make copies of it) and some pieces for my work. I will be using poly 74-30 for my molds...or possibly smooth on products, but I have heard some bad things about smooth on.

 

[RGPFX]

Urethane based rubber, like smooth-on sells, will not set in the presence of sulpher, hence the need for sulphur-free clay. Urethane rubbers will also not set properly in the presence of moisture from any water-based product, like uncured water based clay. If your master includes a water based product, it must dry before casting. In the case of water based clays, this could involve some shrinkage or distortion of your master.

I do not think that smooth-on silicon rubber based material, like Mold-Max, are affected by sulphur. You should call the manufacturer of the product you are going to use and ask about its limitations.

RGP

 

[saber_wielder]

Well, Thanks again for the input. I will definately check with the product company...I mainly was curious of what you guys use.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

My father is a professional sculptor. He got started in the business doing fantasy gaming miniatures, bit now he does high end collectable historic pewter, and full size statues.

Believe it or not, he uses standard 2 part plumbers epoxy putty. Smells like crap, can be toxic over time if absorbed through skin (so wear gloves), but it's cheap, and very very easy to work with wet or hardened. He has also used Sculpty before, and said it's almost as good as epoxy, but is still a little too soft for his tastes...plus it's expensive.

 

[Fizbin]

I mainly was curious of what you guys use.

Well I'm certainly not a pro and have only been sculpting at 1:1 scale for about 3 years, but I'm currently using Roma PRIMA (a sulphur free clay). Unfortunately I don't really care for the clay and it's oxidizing anyway, so I plan to buy some Chavant NSP (also a sulphur free clay) here shortly.

Based on the explanation of what your needs are, you're going to have better luck with a sulphur free clay, so if I were you, I'd get a sample kit from Chavant and go from there.

The bottom line is, experiment with as many clays as possible and use the one you're most comfortable with... it's as simple as that.

 

[saber_wielder]

Thanks, I appreciate the input.