type of clays.?

Question

I'm really interested in crafts - making clay stuffs. I've tried paper clay which is good. But when i applied that paint onto it, it cannot touch water or the paint will come out.
I was wondering if anyone know what type of clay is good, and what type of paint should i use ? (so that the colour will not pale off.)
I am finding clay that will harden on itself.

I hope to make a mother's day present. so i hope people will help me (:

here's a picture who uses clay but it looks very real: (i was wondering if anyone what is the clay used and paint ?)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e21/cherle/strawberry-creme-lollipops.jpg

Answer 1

There are various types of "clays."
Some are "air-drying" clays which are paper based or grain-based, possibly with additives:
(Creative Paperclay, papier mache mash, Makin's or Hearty, cornstarch clays --bought or made at home, "doughs" like salt dough or bread clay --made at home, as well as earth clays, etc. )
All of those will harden just by drying out the water inside, and in the case of earth clays can be made even stronger by heating in a kiln.

Oil-based clays have to be heated to harden them since there's no water to "dry out." Those are mostly polymer clays and "modeling" clays (modeling clays also have wax added to them so they can't be baked --would just melt).

The lollipops in the photo were probably made from polymer clay (though they could have been an air-dry clay covered with a layer or two of clear acrylic finish to make them shiny --and waterproof).
Polymer clays must be cured in a low-heat oven (or in other ways) for about 15-45 minutes to harden them, and although they can be painted on after baking, generally the color is built right in to the clay --either by buying pre-colored clays or by coloring oneself at home (generally with artists' oil paints, alcohol inks, or *small* amounts of acrylic paints, etc.)

If you do decide to paint over baked polymer clay, you'd want to use a water-based paint--no "enamels" (since those which have petroleum solvents in them will eat into the clay over time).
Ordinary craft acrylic paints or artists' acrylic paints in tubes are usually used (after cleaning all grease off with alcohol). Often two coats are needed (dry thoroughly between), or you could use a white acrylic paint or primer first, then the color. Acrylic paints are permanent and shouldn't peel off of most brands** of polymer clay, or you could use a water-based paint then seal it with clear acrylic sealer (various ones are sold at craft stores including acrylic gel mediums, but you can also use water-based sealers intended for bare wood, or clear liquid polishes for vinyl floors like Future/Klear, etc....or you can just use a permanent "white glue" like Elmers GlueAll, etc., which has been thinned down with a little water and applied in several thin coats --it dries clear).

Here are some pages at my site with lots more info about all those things:

types of "clay", and brands of polymer clay:
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/Characteristics.htm

paints, and painting polymer clay
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/paints.htm

finishes
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/finishes.htm

curing polymer clays (in an oven, or other ways)
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/baking.htm



For making easier things with polymer clay, here are some pages that have lessons, examples, etc., of all kinds of things:

(...foods, and many other miniatures...)
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/miniatures.htm

(...candies & more sweets)
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/houses_structures_gingerbread.htm

(wide variety of things)
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/kids_beginners.htm

(everything else about polymer clay --Table of Contents page)
http://.glassattic.com/polymer/contents.htm
(...to browse, just scroll all the way down... when you find a page you'd like to investigate, check on its name from inside the alphabetical navigation bar on the left side)


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** the brand of polymer clay called Kato Polyclay is so dense that it has a slightly shiny surface after bakingso it may not take paint as well as other brands
... the brand with the most "tooth" for holding paint is Sculpey, but it's a good idea to use it only as a covering over other clay because it's also a weak clay after baking in any thin areas (Premo and FimoClassic would be other possibilities for strong clay with some tooth --FimoSoft is a medium-strength polymer clay)


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

polymer clays come in tons of colors and you just bake them in the kitchen oven. im sure the photo is of polymer clay it comes in lots of brilliant colors, you dont have to paint it at all since the base article comes in colors, brands are Sculpy and Fimo.