Popular modelling clays/puttys

[Harry]

Well, I have decided on a subject I want to try for my "big comeback" into figure modelling. Not too complicated a pose, a rifle, a minimum of equipment and an interesting headdress. Scottish too, so doubly cool.

The problem now is I'm well behind the times as regards materials. I used to sculpt using Plasticine, car-body filler, tinfoil and Milliput. I know Milliput is still around, but it hardly ever seems to be mentioned. What are the most popular puttys in use nowadays? What do the [semi] professional figure modellers tend to prefer?

 

[garyjd]

Harry, Here's a (short) list. I prefer Aves and magicsulpt. Though it's not a puttyI would also suggest Sculpey. It's a great medium for sculpting heads or full figures. ~Gary

A & B epoxy putty
Aves Apoxie Sculpt
Magicsculpt
Procreate

 

[Harry]

Harry, Here's a (short) list. I prefer Aves and magicsulpt. Though it's not a puttyI would also suggest Sculpey. It's a great medium for sculpting heads or full figures. ~Gary

A & B epoxy putty
Aves Apoxie Sculpt
Magicsculpt
Procreate

Thanks for the info. Do you use Aves and Magicsculpt for different applications?

 

[1969]

Harry Magicsculp should cover all your needs if just starting out into sculpting, its properties are fairly like Milliput but its far easier to work regarding blending and also carving. I started with milliput but after a couple of years moved onto magicsculp and the difference was very noticeable with its use and results.

If you prefer to work more slowly and want a putty that you can work a little, leave and then come back to days later to make adjustments then look at a polymer clay such as Supersculpey, you need to oven bake the polymer to harden it.

Both are very good and i use both, even on the same sculpting project.

Steve

 

[garyjd]

Thanks for the info. Do you use Aves and Magicsculpt for different applications?

Aves is great for carving folds. I would say Magicsculpt is the better of the two for details like badges and insignia. ~Gary

 

[btavis]

Don't forget the trusty Kneadatite.

 

[tonydawe]

Two part epoxy putties like MagicSculpt and Milliput do potentially have toxic side effects and should always be handled with care. Latex gloves are a useful precaution.

Some people, like myself, suffer very bad allergic reactions to the chemicals in epoxy resin and even exposure to the fumes can be enough to cause a very bad reaction.

For anyone who is potentially allergic to epoxy resins, I can recommend Super Sculpey. As a clay it is non toxic and needs to be heated in an oven to cure, but it remains soft and pliable at room temperature for weeks.

 

[Einion]

Since we're on the subject of safety, although Super Sculpey and similar polymer clays are generally used without problems they're also not without their toxicity concerns. In contact this is mostly due to the plasticisers IIRC. When curing there can be issues too, particularly if too high a temp is used as the instructions about baking on some products mention (they're lowered their max temp recommendations in some cases too, to help prevent this).

Ideally no polymer clay should be hardened in an oven, crockpot or saucepan that is also used for food.

Einion

 

[Dan Morton]

Safety with 2 part putties

"Ideally no polymer clay should be hardened in an oven, crockpot or saucepan that is also used for food."

I know you understand the potential health and safety issues of 2 part putties, Einion, so you probably won't be surprised when I say that that should never be done. Do not use the same cooking appliance in which you cure 2 part putty for cooking food. Please.

I would also emphasize that just because you don't have an allergic reaction this year, don't be too surprised that, with continued use, you begin to develop one in 5 or 10 years. Immune systems don't work the same way when you are 50 as they did when you are 20. Use the gloves now and some ventilation when you mix putties and hopefully you will not develop the allergic reactions at all.

These are not inherently unsafe products, you just have to understand their potential risks and deal with them.

I hope I'm not 'talking down' to anybody and apologies if anyone is offended.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Einion]

Oh I agree Dan, just didn't want to word it that way.



Einion

 

[Harry]

Again, thanks to all who've responded. All very useful information - carefully noted.