What is the best modeling clay to make sculptures?

Question

Last week I started modeling a piece of "Sculpey" but as I was holding the base of my work-in-progress the material just started to melt in my hands. I had to use really hot water and dish soap to remove this sticky mess from my hands.
Also are you supposed to put your artwork on a "stand" so that you avoid touching it while you are working on it. If so, how do you keep the project from losing contact (and start wobbling on the stand) as you are applying force on the clay to shape it?
How do you use an aluminum mesh? Isn't clay going trough the openings and end up on the other side of the mesh?
Also I am planning a large project, but the clay I can get at the local art supply store is really small and expensive. Is there a place where I could buy in bulk non-toxic materials?
Thank you for your help

Answer 1

First, I assume you want to know the best brands of *polymer clay* to use for sculpting, is that right? (..."modeling clay" is usually considered that stuff that kids have used for years that never dries out).

Sculpey is one line of polymer clay put out by Polyform... it comes as white or terracotta "Sculpey" and flesh-colored "SuperSculpey" in boxes, and various colors of "Sculpey III" in small bars (there are specialty polymer clays made by Polyform too).

All 3 of those "Sculpeys" are the softest polymer clays around, so they will definitely get mooshy if they're handled a lot, used in warm or humid weather, and/or by someone with naturally hot hands.
Most polymer clayers who sculpt usually mix SuperSculpey if using it with another brand of polymer clay to improve its sculpting characteristics, but there are other brands and lines of polymer clays that can be used for sculpting as well.

If you want to read all about the clays and combinations of clays that many people have found "best," check out this page at my website:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/sculpture.htm

As for the "stand," a lot of that depends on just what you're sculpting, how large it is, and what your particular preferences are.
Although polymer clays can defnitely be used for sculpting larg-ish items (over armatures) similar to what might be done with earth clays, they usually aren't used for really large items. Other types of clays (usually air-dry types) are more often used (there's more info on epoxy clays and others as well on the "Sculpture" page I just gave a link for).
Also "sculpting" with polymer clay is somewhat different than sculpting with earth clays, so you'll have a bit of learning curve there if you're used to clays that have to be fired in a kiln.

You'll also find a lot of other tips on sculpting with polymer clays especially on that page, and also on these two pages:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/heads_masks.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/sculpting_body_and_tools.htm

As for armatures to use under the clay, there are a number of things that can be used with polymer clays (and won't be affected by the curing process). You can read about those on the "Heads" page I just linked too, and also on this page on Armatures, depending on what you're sculpting:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/armatures-perm.htm

As for buying polymer clay cheaper, check this page on Suppliers... it can definitely be purchased cheaper online, but still not sure whether it would be best for you and the size and type of thing you're planning:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/supplysources.htm
(... click on Polymer Clays...)


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

Looking at your questions I'd suggest first reading up on the material and it's use. There are tips over at the Sculptey site and here: http://www.elvenwork.com/tips.html - Check the forum, there are loads of tips there too.

A few quick replies:
- are you supposed to put your artwork on a "stand"
Yes, it's best to work on an armature which is mounted on something you can hold on to or put down on a surface.,
- If so, how do you keep the project from losing contact
There are a few tricks to get polymer clays to adhere to armatures better. First is to increase the grip by wrapping thin wire around the armature. The other is to cover it with epoxy putty or something similar which is beter suited for sticking to metals.
- start wobbling on the stand
Make the armature of a material which is stiff enough to support what you are doing. For larger sizes some people use the stiff wire found in coathangers.
- the openings and end up on the other side of the mesh?
To a certain extend only (unless you use really course mesh -in that case - cover it with aluminium foil). It's best to have the material on both sides so the mesh is embedded.
- Is there a place where I could buy in bulk non-toxic materials?
Actually, the standard method is to use stiffly wrapped aluminium foil for bulking out larger volumens. No need to make the whole figure in polymer clay unless it has to survive a rubber mould vulcanizer (which I assume is not the case). Some other materials like paper clay and epoxy putty can have their uses too in this.

Answer 3

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RE:
What is the best modeling clay to make sculptures?
Last week I started modeling a piece of "Sculpey" but as I was holding the base of my work-in-progress the material just started to melt in my hands. I had to use really hot water and dish soap to remove this sticky mess from my hands.
Also are you supposed to put your artwork on a...

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Answer 6

Hi:

Mine is terra cotta works geat easy to mold and shape dries out in a week or two

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