Which putties to use..?

[shineym3]

I'm wondering what putties people use and which are the best for doing the bulk of your work and which are best for details? I've only been really messing with Magic-Sculpt and have had difficulty getting folds in clothing to look very natural and figure that one really can't expect a one-size-fits-all product so would like to find what else people use. I've noticed that Kneadatite green is really popular and noticed that they now have a brown version that they says is for 'details'. All experiences and insight is greatly appreciated!

-Steve

 

[Dan Morton]

I struggle with the same problem, Steve. I don't think it's the putty. In case you're wondering, I both cut in folds and form them when putty is wet. I use about five dental tools for most of the forming. I think most people do the same. I've come to the conclusion that making folds and drapery is largely a learned skill. Sure, having a putty that holds details well is part of it, but mostly, IMHO, it's just skill. Like my old piano teacher used to say: "Practice, practice, practice."

Do you have the Burne Hogarth book, "Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery". Excellent reference!

All the best,
Dan

 

[btavis]

I'm wondering what putties people use and which are the best for doing the bulk of your work and which are best for details? I've only been really messing with Magic-Sculpt and have had difficulty getting folds in clothing to look very natural and figure that one really can't expect a one-size-fits-all product so would like to find what else people use. I've noticed that Kneadatite green is really popular and noticed that they now have a brown version that they says is for 'details'. All experiences and insight is greatly appreciated!

-Steve

You can mix Kneadatite with MS or Apoxie to achieve the best of both worlds and many sculptors have been doing just that for the last few years.

The brown Kneadatite is more money and I really don't think it is worth it for general sculpting. Detail work perhaps. Personally I use Aves Apoxie Sculpt and Kneadatite green for everything. Bill Horan has done outstanding clothing with Kneadatite alone and so have many others. Here is a figure done with Kneadatite alone by the Perry Brothers:

http://www.perry-miniatures.com/images/pj9.jpg

Here is a figure all in MS except the hair which is Kneadatite by Marijn Van Gils:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/marijn_vangils/bicycle/cycle.jpg

Also, it makes a difference when during the curing process you make the folds. Usually when the putty is first mixed it is too soft so it is better to let it stiffen up a little before applying tools. Also, keeping the tools moist helps to prevent sticking. Also I find it best to work on very small areas at a time. You can always add more as you progress. You can also sand, file and grind folds to get better definition. A good set of jeweler files comes in handy. However, Kneadatite does not like sanding or filing too much as it is too rubbery when dried.

Also, I use a crock pot to speed up the curing time so I can continue working with few interruptions.

 

[barbados_wild]

Hi,

Like BT, I use a mixture. I normally use GS but don't really like that it has a "memory" so mix it with something else to make it more clay-like. I used to mix it 3 parts GS with 1 part miliputt but now swap the MP for magic sculpt. This gives me a putty that suits my style and can also be sanded a little once cured. If I am working on drapery I mix in a little polymer clay - super sculpy etc which increases the curing time. I have mixed in 3 parts epoxy to 1 part polymer clay and it still vulcanises fine. I've heard of other sculptors increasing this ratio too.

For drapery its best to get a photo of someone in a similar pose wearing sim clothes etc, then you don't have to make anything up!

regards

 

[shineym3]

Thanks guys!

I'll have to try the Kneadatite. Hopefully a vendor at the show in Phoenix this upcoming weekend will have some!

 

[btavis]

Just one tip with Kneadatite. It gets very sticky and you can minimize that with talc. It is great for rolling out into very thin sheets and talc really comes in handy. I use baby powder. You also do not have to be so careful about mixing the yellow and green 50-50. In fact, if you use more yellow than green you can get a nicer consistency that takes a little longer to cure (more work time).

 

[Einion]

...figure that one really can't expect a one-size-fits-all product...

Actually, within limits, I think you can. There are a number of sculptors working out there (including some of the best in our area) that use just one putty. And for my money MagicSculp is a very good contender for a "it'll do everything I want" putty.

I've only been really messing with Magic-Sculpt and have had difficulty getting folds in clothing to look very natural...

FWIW I think this is likely a problem with your technique, possibly your tool(s).

Einion

 

[Calvin]

Each sculpting medium has his own features which means each one requires a different approach (read technique) and tools. To successful use whatever medium you need first to understand how it works and for what it is intended, something you will only learn by experience.

Besides that you also need to understand if you are a modeler or a carver or both. Modelling and carving require different techniques and tools, most of people is used to say "sculpting" tout-court but "sculpting" per-se does not mean anything. Polymer clays like Sculpey, Fimo, etc are perfect for modeling while two parts epoxy putties are the best for carving, it is obvious you can also carve baked Sculpey and model fresh putty but it mainly depens on your ability.

Regarding the Magicsculp, in my personal opinion, it is one of the best epoxy putties out there, I do almost all with it and I dont think there is something you cannot do with it. Just keep in mind that it is almost unusable just after mixing it, you need to wait 5/10 minutes at least before messing with it. Folds aren't the most difficult thing to reproduce, they have the same difficult level of anything else, it's just a question of vision, I mean you only need to look at the real thing and sculpt exactly as it is. Take a picture of whatever old roman bust (something like this) and try to make an exact copy, no matter how many attempts you will need, I did it way ago for this piece using as a reference a Bernini's sculpt and it helped me a lot in understanding how to fold.