What medium to use for sculpting mini busts?

[tmatelski]

I am going to start sculpting some miniature busts, probably 6 inches or so. I was wondering what is the best medium to use. I plan on molding them in silicone so I can make them out of a 2 part plastic. I've been using sculpey but was looking for suggestions on a different medium.

 

[Tathariel]

I do know that a lot of the artists working for Weta Workshop uses Chavant clay (hard), when sculpting collectibles - including busts I've spoken to a few of them, and this seem to be what their medium of choice.
The clay can't be cured like sculpey, gets soft when warm and hard when cold. Personally, I find it absolutely delightful to work with, and I'm doing several sculpts in both medium and hard atm which will be molded and casted in the future

 

[MBPfx]

Chavant is great, been using it for years. Here is a new product I just started playing with called Cx5 http://http://www.store.adambeaneindustries.com/products/cx5
It was developed by sculptor Adam Beane and he was demonstrating it at Monsterpalooza this past weekend. It requires more equipment (hot tools) than Chavant but you can do some amazing things with it

 

[TigerStoneFX]

Sculpey is also used a lot. More so, the Super Sculpey for smaller pieces. I like Monster Clay or Chavant personally.

 

[tmatelski]

Would I be able to make a 2 piece silicone mold if I used chavant? I've never done a silicone mold with chavant, only stone molds.

 

[Barnes Newt]

Yeah sure you can make a Sil. mold from Chavant no probs.The best thing is about Chavant or Monster or any pro quality oil based clay is that you can re-use your materials, unlike Sculpey.

 

[Alpha Proto]

I would use Super Sculpey. After bake it you can carve details, and sand imperfections .
It shouldnt difficult to cut the sculpt into seperate parts to mold later.

 

[v3d]

I used to use the firmest Roma Plastilina or Chavant. You could also wax, the kind used in bronze casting.