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01/23/2007
Starting to sculpt
Well, I have'nt done a modelling post for a while, so I thought I'd do one on sculpting.
Now, first off, this is for people like me, not the experienced, but those who are thinking, hey, I'd like to give it a go, I wonder what you have to buy etc.
Myself, I started a couple of months ago. I'd taken O'Level Craft at school and loved it. Also I had a little play at my friends pottery when my mate Austin owned Spiral path Ceramics using earthenware clay.
However, I did'nt want to start thinking of buying a kiln and huge amounts of clay, so what do the pro's use?
Now, I must say that I had tried sculpting a few years ago, and bought a box of Sculpey. It turns out from comments I've read since that Sculpey is responsible for stopping a lot of people taking up this hobby. I did'nt get on with it very well and ended up using it for filling seams on resin models.
Model_Citizen
So, I was very interested to make a go of it this time. my first port of call was of course The Clubhouse where there is a forum dedicated to sculping, and this is intimidating, because these guys are the pro's. They do this for a living, and it shows.
Anyway, the clay to go for is called Super Sculpey (not Sculpey, as I'd bought years before).
Super Sculpey, it says:
Used by movie animation studios and professionals worldwide for prototypes, maquettes, and all kinds of dolls. Super Sculpey has a long track record as a superb clay for sculpting. The finest detail is achievable and added clay can be smoothed in seamlessly.
Polymer Clay is a highly versatile modelling material that is hardened by baking in the home oven. Once baked it is permanent and can be cut, sawn, glued, painted or added to and re-baked. It comes under the brand names of Fimo, Sculpey, Premo, and Creall-Therm to name those usually available in Britain. Polymer Clay is sold in a wide range of colours and these can be mixed together to make further colours. Most brands also produce a “transparent” or translucent clay which can be used on its own or mixed with colours to make delicate translucent pastel shades. There is also night-glow, various pearl and metallic clays and fluorescent clays. Doll makers are well provided for and all the manufacturers produce clays especially for dolls.
Now I had this info, the place I went to to buy it was: www.polymerclaypit where they do a good deal for a bulk purchase of Super Sculpey 8lb (3.6kg) - UK customers Colour: pink-beige £48.50
Now, as for what else you need this is what I was told. Because this pink/beige SS has an almost translucent quality to it, it's quite hard to see what's going on when your sculpting. So you also need to buy some Premo Sculpey in Black and White. What you do here is take a small slice of each and mix it in with the SS to get a flat grey media. Now because this is pretty tough on the wrists the pro's recommend also buying a Pasta Roller. I bought mine from Argos for about £12. The gears are a light metal and can't handle a huge amount of clay at once, so I found that if you make sausages and feed them through a bit at a time that's best.
One more thing to buy before you leave the shop, you might never need it, but some Super Clay Softener might come in handy if your clay should dry out over the years. just add a few drops and it will soften it again like magic.
Well, that's all the clay sorted out. I ordered mine in one big lump spending about £80. I know that sounds a lot but I reckon I've got a fair few years worth.
So, now you have the clay, what else do you need.
First, tools. The ultimate set of tools are dental instruments. I found a stall selling them at a local boot sale for 50p each and stocked up on a complete range. Also look out for loop knives, and a trusty scalpel. Other than that you can just make your own. Get some dowel, cut it into pencil lengths and just glue or drill things on the end. Guitar wire, paper clips, bits of wood all work great. i think the rule here is if you think it's what you need - try it.
The picture I've added also shows a palette knife, which is pretty useful. The green tools are rubbish, and the large double ended wooden handled tools are also not that good. i use them now and then, but the dental and loop tools are the workhorses.
What else....
Wire. For most things you need to make an armature. Dont be put off by this, as this can be as simple as a lump of clay with a wire sticking in it. But you will need some sort of flexible wire that can be bent with pliers. Other than that, a heat gun. Because SS is baked in the oven (I bake it for 30 mins at 150°, slightly longer and cooler than specified), when you've sculpted a bit and like it, just blast it on the lowest setting with your gun, let it cool and keep working. It really helps not to muck up what you've worked on, because SS is ultra sensitive. It will pick up every fingerprint if you let it, and is very malleable, so work and heat is a great way to work I've found.
Model_Citizen
Well, at time of writing I've finished 4 sculptures with a 5th almost done. My first two were Nibbler from Futurama and I also tried doing a female bust. Probably a bit adventurous for a first go, and they look a little rough, but you got to start somewhere. next I did Dr Zoidberg, again from Futurama. This went a little better, then I did Malfuntioning Eddie from the same show. I used some tin foil in this sculpture to pad out his stomach and save on using a really thick bit of clay.
Model_Citizen
Model_Citizen
I'm almost done with Slurms Mackenzie, and then I might try something a bit more adventurous and realistic. The great thing about Futurama is I have loads of reference pics to copy, which you will need to work out your model.
Well, that's my lot from my own experience. If you nip on over to The Clubhouse you'll get heaps more advice and tutorials as well as tips on DDVD's and books to help you. I have'nt seen those so can't comment.
Last but not least a couple of links that might help and wet your appetite.
Concept Art 1
Concept Art 2
12:20 Posted in Scale Models | Permalink | Email this
Comments
Why haven't you tried Chauvant Clay or W.E.D. clay? These are my favorites... Chauvant makes an oil based medium clay that will never dry out and is good for beginners to learn on (as well as professionals) because you can take as long as you like to finish the sculpt.
W.E.D. clay was invented by Walt Elias Disney himself! and is thus named after him. It does dry out eventually, but it takes awhile so long as you spray your sculpt down with water when you aren't working on it and cover it with a trash bag. It isn't reusable, however. But it is great stuff to work with once you gain a little experience from working with Chauvant Medium oil based clay.
You can get them both from www.monstermakers.com
Scott
Posted by: Scott Naugle | 10/27/2007
Thanks Scott for the ideas.
Posted by: Chris | 10/27/2007