Clay question

[evan4218]

What is a good brand to use for clay, I have herd that mixing clay gives the best result, but mix what, and where should I get it???

Thanks

 

[cookiemongoloid]

Just curios, what do you need clay for?

 

[Gilmortar]

probably sculpting...like me...lol

Justin, there is a place I went to yesterday to get some clay, and it says the company is in Dallas. Its the:

Trinity Ceramic Supply
9016 Diplomacy Row
Dallas, TX 75247

I got the White Modeling clay for my roman guard helmets and breastplate. Really soft, easy to mold and mangle.

 

[propsculptor]

What the Professionals use for prosthetics and sometimes masks is called Roma Plastilina, it's a Oil-based clay that doesn't dry out, but it doesn't set-up against GI-1000 Silicone because it has Sulphur in it.

It is carried at many art stores and looks like this:

Other artists prefer to use clay without Sulphur in it called Chavant which Rob Bottin's FX Crew sculpted Robocop out of because it can be smoothed-out and polished, they even use it for sculpting Car designs out of:

Here is their website:
http://www.chavant.com/

For my own projects I use WED Clay which is a water-based clay that Laguna Clay sells, it's great stuff, inexpensive, and if you cover your sculpt with wet paper towels and a plastic bag you can keep working on your sculpture for a long time

As far as Mixing clays it all depends on what result you are trying to acheve, for film work artists melt clays together so that they are softer for a "Clay Pour" which is done for sculpting a head or bodypart of an actor or actress. Once the Melted clay cools it is easier to sculpt with and later mold.

If you have any other questions, drop me a PM.

 

[evan4218]

I have about 8 pounds of sculpty but this oil based clay is to soft for me. The Chavant is what I belive was used to sculpt my Crimson Guard (G.I. Joe) helmet. It is very firm and can be polished to be super smooth for mold making. It also is reusable.

Will chavant need anything other then a basic release agent before pouring on the silicone for the mold? Is there a particular type of this clay I need? They seem to have a few types listed on there site, or am I just reeding it wrong?

I am going touse this clay to finish out my alost completed B.A.T. helmet sculpt for a G.I. Joe project I am doing, and then us it for a few Fett related things.

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[propsculptor]

For sculpting it is up to you as to what you prefer, if you like a softer clay, buy a softer grade of Chavant.

Most of the time I use a Medium grade Clay, not too soft and not too hard.

You can also use a Roma Plastilina NSP (which stands for Non-Sulphur Plastilina) it's very similar to Chavant.

For most moldmaking purposes I spray on a thin layer of Crystal Clear Acrylic Spray as a release and then do a Matrix Mold with a Fiberglass Shell and a silicone interior.

I have about 8 pounds of sculpty but this oil based clay is to soft for me. The Chavant is what I belive was used to sculpt my Crimson Guard (G.I. Joe) helmet. It is very firm and can be polished to be super smooth for mold making. It also is reusable.

Will chavant need anything other then a basic release agent before pouring on the silicone for the mold? Is there a particular type of this clay I need? They seem to have a few types listed on there site, or am I just reeding it wrong?

I am going touse this clay to finish out my alost completed B.A.T. helmet sculpt for a G.I. Joe project I am doing, and then us it for a few Fett related things.

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[Tim Allen]

For most moldmaking purposes I spray on a thin layer of Crystal Clear Acrylic Spray as a release and then do a Matrix Mold with a Fiberglass Shell and a silicone interior.

Interested, ive always made the matrix out of plaster but havnt tryed the fiberglass shell route

 

[propsculptor]

I'm currently making one, and for larger molds it's much easier having a 40 lb mold than a 120 lb mold!

Here is a link to a site that has a Step by step DVD:
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/scu04.html

The process is the same using plaster, except you use Fiberglass instead.

Interested, ive always made the matrix out of plaster but havnt tryed the fiberglass shell route

 

[cookiemongoloid]

I'm currently making one, and for larger molds it's much easier having a 40 lb mold than a 120 lb mold!

Here is a link to a site that has a Step by step DVD:
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/scu04.html

The process is the same using plaster, except you use Fiberglass instead.

THAT IS COOL. (sorry I am not raelly contributing to this thread, I jsut had to say it.)

 

[evan4218]

Thanks for all your help. That dvd looks to be helpful. I am the type who learns by seeing it done, I know "How" but there is always stuff that cant be told as well as it can be shown. Thanks so much!!! I will post my project progress as I do it.