sculpting beginner

[dbang1988]

What may I start for sculpting?
What is the green putty many folks are using here? Is it easy to manipulate?
Is there any introduction manual for beginner?

Thanks

 

[Jamie Stokes]

There are many kinds of putties, they can be classed in two types, generally.

1 - two part epoxy types, that harden in air after a period of time.

2 - clays that need to be set in an oven (or similar)

Both have their uses, both have their quirks.

Read the new to figures pages, lots of information there, then have a go!!

And post work, questions in that thread, very friendly and helpful crowd here!

Cheers

 

[btavis]

What may I start for sculpting?
What is the green putty many folks are using here? Is it easy to manipulate?
Is there any introduction manual for beginner?

Thanks

The "green stuff" is called Kneadatite, formerly called Duro. It is made by Polymeric Systems Inc:

http://www.polymericsystems.com/epoxies-adhesives/epoxy-putty-tapes/kneadatite-blue-yellow.htm

You can buy it here:

http://michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/supplies_folder/Sculpting/sculpting.html

The other popular putties are Magic Sculpt and Aves Apoxie. Both can be purchased at the same link above.

 

[dbang1988]

So normally, after someone have finish their sculpting project. Would they make a mold of it from silicone then cast it with resin and paint on the cast? Or will they paint directly on the only final work?

It seems that it is a pity to just paint over the original work and not be able to keep a copy of it for future.

How you folks normally do?

 

[btavis]

So normally, after someone have finish their sculpting project. Would they make a mold of it from silicone then cast it with resin and paint on the cast? Or will they paint directly on the only final work?

It seems that it is a pity to just paint over the original work and not be able to keep a copy of it for future.

How you folks normally do?

It depends on what the figure is for. If it is just for yourself then usually you do not cast it (these are called one-offs and are typically done by scratch builders).

If it is for commercial release then obviously it will be cast. There are some engineering considerations in getting a figure ready for casting. If you are just beginning I wouldn't think about casting at all since you really need to concentrate on the sculpting itself first and foremost. Casting small parts is not a big deal but casting figures can be and requires special equipment like a vacuum casting machine.

I am not trying to dissuade you from trying casting yourself but take if from someone who knows it is a whole 'nother discipline to get right, can be very tedious and for sure it is expensive. I cast repetitive parts but not whole figures.

 

[dbang1988]

Hi Bob, I agree with you in the difficulty of casting. I have tried and failed. But it is a great skill if we can copy a part many times.

Since sculpting a figure need great effort, in order to make a diorama out of it, it will be great to cast the original figure then modify it for different poses.

 

[btavis]

Since sculpting a figure need great effort, in order to make a diorama out of it, it will be great to cast the original figure then modify it for different poses.

I think the only useful thing is to cast the mannequin parts (torso, pelvis). You can start with cut down DML Preiser, or Multipose figures removing all detail. Then you can use paperclip wire to assemble head, arms, legs and torso to pelvis. From there you can bend the wire to the post you want and then start sculpting. It is the predominant method for sculpting most figures.

Casting torsos and pelvis are fairly simple and require no special equipment. My dioramas typically have a couple of dozen figures and this is the method I use for sculpting them.

If you want to get started without too much fuss you can get the Preiser Adam and Eve mannequin kits:

http://www.michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/supplies_folder/Sculpting/preiser_mannequins.html

You can make several figures from one kit.

 

[Vermis]

The other popular putties are Magic Sculpt and Aves Apoxie.

And brown stuff and procreate and milliput and A&B and...

For beginners, I'd personally recommend procreate if you'd prefer the gum/sticky-tack-texture rubbery-curing putties, or apoxie sculpt if you'd prefer something more claylike and hard-curing.
Alternatively, buy green stuff and apoxie sculpt, and mix a little bit of the latter with the former. Green stuff has the strongest memory (i.e. the property that makes it spring back and turn blobby) of any putty I've tried; which is less of a problem if you've put some practise into the stuff, but doesn't make it the best or easiest medium for a beginner or someone who hasn't used it in a while. A bit of apoxie (or anything, really. But I prefer apoxie) deadens the memory and slightly improves GS overall, IMO.

But, maybe stick with one type to start.

Holy moley, lookit the price of milliput at Michtoy! That's one advantage we have in Blighty, at least.

 

[bobfinkenaur]

For more information on ProCreate Putty, here is the website:

http://www.kraftmark.biz/kraft.procreate.html

 

[Anders Heintz]

I would suggest Magic Sculpt hands down. It is much easier to work then Duro, and is much more forgiving if you make mistakes.
Here are some sculpting step by steps I have done. Maybe they can help you out a little.

54mm British Colonial SBS

1/35th Scale US GI

 

[bobfinkenaur]

Here is a series of "How To Sculpt" videos on YouTube you might find useful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-bor7koo_Q

If the link does not work, search "How to Sculpt Fantasy Miniatures: Part 1" on www.youtube.com

 

[Mat Lambert]

Thankyou Anders for the SBS you posted links for - these are some of the most helpful and detailed tutorials I have seen so far. I will certainly be refering to them for some time to come.
cheers
Mat

 

[Vermis]

Ditto. All tutes bookmarked.

Anders, can I ask what the first tool shown in the first SBS is made of? It looks like magic sculp itself.

 

[Anders Heintz]

I'm glad you guys like them!

The tool I think you are referring to is the whitish looking tool. It is made out of Teflon Round stock. Someone here on the forums posted a link about it, so decided to try it out. It's a nice material to make a tool out of, got a point on it and is sturdy enough to 'roll' the putty onto a figure, while at same time still having some give in it when making folds. And it's really cheap too. I'd give you a link to the website, but don't remember where I got it. I think they are called PTFE Rounds in 3/16th Diameter.

Just found the company...Small Parts Inc!!

http://www.smallparts.com/Teflon-PT...&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=467590031&pf_rd_s=center-3

 

[Einion]

The thread on PTFE as a possible material, PTFE tools, the holy grail?

Those interested, Direct Plastics Online is a good place to start for PTFE rod in the UK.

In the US, OnlineMetals has them at a great price (less than $2 for a three-foot length).

Einion

 

[Vermis]

This geek's getting excited now. Ta, all!

 

[Vermis]

On Monday I went to order a couple of rods from Direct Plastics Online, but I had a coffee-spewing moment at the sight of the £6 postage. So I had a look and found Fantastic Plastic on ebay UK. The individual rods cost more, but for a couple at small diameters their postage is much more reasonable.

My order arrived this morning, so now I just need some dowel...

 

[Einion]

Good to know about the OTT postage Warren, thanks for the alternative.

In terms of how to mount them what diameter did you go with? One of the members of CMON is starting a venture making teflon-tipped tools and he's using aluminium arrow shafts for the handle portion so if yours are around the right gauge then that seems a decent option. And being hollow if you find they end up being too light you can add some weight easily.

Einion

 

[Vermis]

Business venture? Nice!

I went with 6mm. Most of the tools I use are narrower than that, and I thought it'd give me a bit of leeway for different shapes and sizes; including bases and plugs, following Anders' example. Ditto with the dowel, although the arrow shafts aren't a bad idea, and I've got some metal and plastic tubes sitting around that might see some use.
At the least, I have a favourite small, angled leaf-shape that I want to try to copy. A bit of (filled) brass tube might provide a sturdier thin neck for that, rather than teflon or dowel.
That's the theory, anyway. I have a feeling it'll be like belling the cat.