TIPS & TRICKS

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/