Confused about a material

[tyrantqueen]

Hi,
I have decided I want to try sculpting my own dinosaurs. I am unsure which material I should use for the thin skin membranes of pterosaurs, the skin of a dimetrodon sail etc
Should I just roll polymer clay extremely thin and attach it somehow? Is there a better material I should use? What do the pros do?

[Joel]

Hmm, there are a couple of things I can think of. Try using wax paper, and then put a very thin film of polymer clay on either side. You could also try foil in place of the wax paper.

[tyrantqueen]

Hmm, there are a couple of things I can think of. Try using wax paper, and then put a very thin film of polymer clay on either side. You could also try foil in place of the wax paper.

Thanks, I will try that out

[ZoPteryx]

You could try thin elastic latex, like the type rubber gloves are usually made of.  It glues well to baked Sculpey clay.

[tyrantqueen]

You could try thin elastic latex, like the type rubber gloves are usually made of.  It glues well to baked Sculpey clay.

Thanks! Does acrylic paint adhere to latex? (I eventually would like to paint the finished sculpture)  Or should I be using the latex as a "base", and then sculpting over it?

[ZoPteryx]

You could try thin elastic latex, like the type rubber gloves are usually made of.  It glues well to baked Sculpey clay.

Thanks! Does acrylic paint adhere to latex? (I eventually would like to paint the finished sculpture)  Or should I be using the latex as a "base", and then sculpting over it?

Paint will adhere, but only use a thin covering, otherwise if it flexes the paint could crack.  I suppose you could use latex as a base and sculpt over it, but you'd probably be better off using stiff paper instead if you want to go that route.

[Yutyrannus]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

[tyrantqueen]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

[Yutyrannus]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Thanks. I will probably use either the Aves Epoxy or Kato Polyclay.

[Roktman]

Hi,
I have decided I want to try sculpting my own dinosaurs. I am unsure which material I should use for the thin skin membranes of pterosaurs, the skin of a dimetrodon sail etc
Should I just roll polymer clay extremely thin and attach it somehow? Is there a better material I should use? What do the pros do?

FWIW you need to adjust what you use as an armature for membrane to what scale you are building. In any event armature needs to provide a stable base for your clay. So say for a rather large size Dimetrodon I would use metal screen material and lace it with wire for the spines.  For a smaller scale - use a piece of foil.
Another thing to think about is what you are using in relation to the clay you are using. If you want to use super sculpey or some other clay that needs to be baked, you have to use something that won't burn or give off noxious fumes.
I would stick to wire and metal under the clay.
One other thing about baking-  clays like sculpey is that you should only bake 1/2 thickness or less. You you will also need something to bulk the animal out as well - foil work good for this too.
Good luck.

[tyrantqueen]

Hi,
I have decided I want to try sculpting my own dinosaurs. I am unsure which material I should use for the thin skin membranes of pterosaurs, the skin of a dimetrodon sail etc
Should I just roll polymer clay extremely thin and attach it somehow? Is there a better material I should use? What do the pros do?

FWIW you need to adjust what you use as an armature for membrane to what scale you are building. In any event armature needs to provide a stable base for your clay. So say for a rather large size Dimetrodon I would use metal screen material and lace it with wire for the spines.  For a smaller scale - use a piece of foil.
Another thing to think about is what you are using in relation to the clay you are using. If you want to use super sculpey or some other clay that needs to be baked, you have to use something that won't burn or give off noxious fumes.
I would stick to wire and metal under the clay.
One other thing about baking-  clays like sculpey is that you should only bake 1/2 thickness or less. You you will also need something to bulk the animal out as well - foil work good for this too.
Good luck.

Thanks for your advice. I knew about the aluminium foil and wire armature already though I did do some research into sculpture before deciding to venture into these dangerous waters

[Zhuchengotyrant]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Hi im new too. I Think apoxie clay would work best.

[Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus]

TQ, good for you trying this out. Good luck!
Oh, and post pictures!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Hi im new too. I Think apoxie clay would work best.

Apoxie works pretty good..you just need the kind with a slow cure time.

[tyrantqueen]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Hi im new too. I Think apoxie clay would work best.

Apoxie works pretty good..you just need the kind with a slow cure time.

I dunno why people are commenting on a subject that's nearly two years old...

[Zhuchengotyrant]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Hi im new too. I Think apoxie clay would work best.

Apoxie works pretty good..you just need the kind with a slow cure time.

I dunno why people are commenting on a subject that's nearly two years old...

Im sorry, TQ. I just want to help. Sorry

[tyrantqueen]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Hi im new too. I Think apoxie clay would work best.

Apoxie works pretty good..you just need the kind with a slow cure time.

I dunno why people are commenting on a subject that's nearly two years old...

Im sorry, TQ. I just want to help. Sorry

It's okay, I was just a bit confused, that's all. Thanks for trying to help though

[Zhuchengotyrant]

I am also about to start sculpting, and I would like to know: What would be the best material to use to sculpt Charnia?

I'm a beginner too, but I think technique is more important than material. Nonetheless, you should go for a good brand of polymer clay no matter what your subject matter is. I like to mix Super Sculpey, and Sculpey Firm 50% ratio. I also use Aves Epoxy putty and Magic Sculp. Other good brands I've heard of are Kato Polyclay (used by Carnegie sculptor Forest Rogers) and Cernit.
Also, maybe you could ask here?
http://www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php/topic,395.0.html

Hi im new too. I Think apoxie clay would work best.

Apoxie works pretty good..you just need the kind with a slow cure time.

I dunno why people are commenting on a subject that's nearly two years old...

Im sorry, TQ. I just want to help. Sorry

It's okay, I was just a bit confused, that's all. Thanks for trying to help though

You're welcome