| Sculpting
materials are of 3 types, Air Dry (Crayola Model Magic), heat dry (Sculpey)
and Chemical Cure (epoxy putty). All have their advantages and disadvantages,
here are a few. Model Magic, water based, accepts most paints, easily
sculpted while wet but not once it has dried, some flexibility but brittle
and will break easily when dry, does not permit fine detail. Sculpey, can
be sculpt wet or dry (you may need a Dremal motor to cut it when dry) accepts
most paints, available in many colors but must use heat to cure which may
damage plastic parts, Sculpey may also shrink when heated. Epoxy
Putty, easily sculpted when soft or hard (again a Dremal tool may be needed)
paintable, cures with minor heat generated, limited working time due to
the chemical curing process.
The
sculpting process is the seeing of a form within the mass of the putty
and freeing this shape by removing bits and pieces. You start with
a glob of the putty which you form to the general shape you want with your
hands. Attach it to the figure and using a knife or some other small instrument
scrape and remove small amounts of the putty to give a more refined sculptured
detail. Using the sharp point of the knife or a pin or needle, draw
in detail such as hair line, structures within the ear and lightly cut
away putty that is not needed. Use your fingers or toothpicks to
smooth areas, when possible use water or solvent on a paint brush to smooth
or contour the putty. When it is finished, set it aside to dry or
bake it as needed. Once dry, paint it the color that you wish and
than reexamine it to see any small details that need to be corrected.
You can use fillers, I use Elmer's Glue to fill in small defect on Model
Magic, or trim away small pieces to correct defects that you missed the
first time. If it still doesn't look like you expected, tear if off and
start over again. Three things that you must do to sculpt is practice,
practice, practice and have fun.. |
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