TIPS & TRICKS

David Cusak

I been talking about starting a couple new threads on here and I best get to it! With our diverse experiences and skill sets, this is a unique opportunity to share some of our hard earned tips and tricks we've horded over the years. I, for one, will gobble up anything I can get.

Last week, during the break, we were discussing our favorite clay and Robert mentioned the all too familar annoyances of Super Sculpey. Though I don't use Sculpey very often, I do use it when I need to create a quick sculpture that won't be cast. Here's a couple a tricks I mentioned that save a bit of frustration:

MARK NEWMAN'S Super Sculpey Mix

• 50% Super Sculpey (Pink)
• 50% Super Sculpey Firm (Grey)

The best way to mix is to run the mix through an old school pasta maker a few times (a good one runs about $30.) The mix should be a light grey when finished, with no pink or dark grey streaks. This should keep the clay from getting crumbly or becoming too flexible when heated during working.

If you're not familiar with Mark's work, your in for some goodness:
http://marknewman.deviantart.com
http://www.pxleyes.com/blog/2010/05/the-best-art-sculptures-by-mark-newman/


CASEY LOVE'S Foolproof Method of Baking Super Sculpey

(resource: http://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=36612&p=447790&hilit=baking+super#p447790 )

1. I start at 225 and leave the sculpt for an hour.
2. I raise the temp to 250 for another hour.
3. I raise the temp again to 275 for 2- 3 hours or until the Super Sculpey has turned a dark caramel or even as dark as a reddish brown brick color.
4. I shut off the oven and leave the sculpt to completely cool down before removing the sculpture.
5. If you are baking a rather thick sculpture use the same method above but raise the temperature slower and in smaller increments.

I use this method above and have baked sculptures with NO CRACK'S and even better the clay is hard as a rock. I have noticed a huge difference in dremeling the clay and how strong the clay is compared to a weaker baked Super Sculpey. Yesterday I dropped a hand on the floor and the sculpture bounced, no crack's or damage happened to the hand, normally it would of cracked or worse shattered if it had not been baked properly. " - Casey Love

I think most of us are very familiar with Casey's work, especially his exceptional masks, but if you're not here's an extra helping of goodness: http://www.caseylovedesigns.com/

David Cusak

CREATE YOUR OWN SCULPTING TOOLS

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-clay-sculpting-loop-tools/?ALLSTEPS

"Sculpting tools are essential kit for sculpting in clay or oil based clays such as plasteline (a high grade plasticine), wax or chavant.

Usually, there are two main kinds of sculpting tools-the stick-like variety which usually are used for adding material, and loops which are used for taking away. They are not that expensive to buy, but there are some great tools which are not easily found but easily made. It's fun, too.

This article will show you how to make your own loop tools from scratch. Loops can be all shapes and sizes depending on the scale of the job. For blocking out life size figures, you will need something bigger, and for fine lines and wrinkles on prosthetics you'll need something smaller. The principle remains the same."
 

David Cusak

HOW TO PULL CHAVANT FROM THE CARPET / THE KEY TO A SCULPTORS DOMESTIC BLISS

I experimented with soap and water, steam cleaners, picking at them with a fork BUT today I think I finally found the trick:

1. Invert a can of compressed air
2. Blast chavent ball with a couple burst. Ball and carpet should turn white.
3. Using a table fork, place fork teeth under the ball.
4. Don't pull the fork up, but push the fork until the ball collects towards the handle.
5. Use warm, soapy water and a sponge to remove the remaining "cold" spot.

That's it! Until this I was considering how much of my damage deposit would go towards a new carpet. 

Samantha Braithwaite

This is awesome David! Thanks a bunch.

David Cusak

Stumbled upon these sculpting tools on Amazon for CHEAP. $8 bucks US. At the time there were only a couple sets left, but there seems to be more now. Really like the weight of these and the handle is a little wider than the sculpting/dental tools I own. Much kinder on the hand.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SVRSRY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

David Cusak

HUMAN ANATOMICAL REFERENCE  |  Full Body/Heads Digital Scans

Various male and female full-body or head digital scans provide a nice all-in-one-place resource for the human body. Especially helpful for blocking out the primary and secondary forms. Click on the details button for turnaround and detail views.

Here's an example of male full body in various poses.

http://www.3dscanstore.com/index.php/default/full-body-scans.html?cat=75

Christopher Vaughan

Along the same lines. http://www.anatomy4sculptors.com/