Customising Hints, Tips and FAQs

[tyrantqueen]

Thanks for the tip, I might give pinning another shot, always worried I'm gonna shatter the resin.

You might want to consider a pin vice if you are worried about the resin shattering. It's tedious at times, but you have a lot more control than an electric drill.

[triceratops83]

Thanks for the tip, I might give pinning another shot, always worried I'm gonna shatter the resin.

You might want to consider a pin vice if you are worried about the resin shattering. It's tedious at times, but you have a lot more control than an electric drill.

Thanks!

[Dinosaurana]

I'm in need of a little help. I've seen people make their own figures and statues from scratch, and I'd like to try my hand at it. But I have no real idea where to start, and a little guidance would be appreciated.

[tyrantqueen]

I'm in need of a little help. I've seen people make their own figures and statues from scratch, and I'd like to try my hand at it. But I have no real idea where to start, and a little guidance would be appreciated.

Most people print out a scaled skeletal of their chosen species for reference, and build their armature around that. The armature is then bulked out with aluminium foil to save clay. Then the clay is laid on top of that. But there are many different ways, some people prefer to do things differently.

Here's some useful links (not specificially about sculpting dinosaurs, but they are useful for general reference)

Armatures: http://www.deviantart.com/art/sculpting-tut-part1-armature-base-300127778

Scales: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Making-dragon-dinosaur-creature-monster-or-420530687

Feathers: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Figurine-WIP-tutorial-part-3-wings-465301808 http://xenite.wordpress.com/modeling-painting-and-hobby-articles/how-to-sculpt-bird-wings/

Here's a good source for skeletals: http://scotthartman.deviantart.com/

And here's a video by one of our forum members, Jason Carriere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUCYwltJqtU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaUHGl8FBn8

Hope this helps.

[triceratops83]

Just used Green Stuff or Kneadatite for the first time. Surprised at how well it adheres to the surface of the figure, it doesn't lift or peel at all. This was the collecta Tsintaosaurus. I sliced off the sides of the original crest, leaving a narrow base to mold the Kneadatite around. And no, because of that I wasn't left with an interesting little artefact, which I might have been tempted to glue to another figure.

[tyrantqueen]

Kneadatite/Greenstuff actually takes detail really well, I think it's underrated as a sculpting medium. Btw, did you know you can alleviate the stickiness by using skin moisturiser? (I'm serious). It's a lot more effective than plain water. Literally take some and mix it into the putty.

A good tip I picked up from here: http://natfka.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/how-to-sculpt-3-sculpting-skills.html

[triceratops83]

Kneadatite/Greenstuff actually takes detail really well, I think it's underrated as a sculpting medium. Btw, did you know you can alleviate the stickiness by using skin moisturiser? (I'm serious). It's a lot more effective than plain water. Literally take some and mix it into the putty.

Because I just absentmindedly started, I didn't even dampen the mix. Was really tough so I will definitely take your advice with Thanks

[Megalosaurus]

[...]
Here's some useful links (not specificially about sculpting dinosaurs, but they are useful for general reference)
[...]

Thank you tyrantqueen. Those are very useful links.

[triceratops83]

Anyone like using just cheap, normal pottery/ceramic clay? I haven't had much luck with it, other than making bases. It cracks and shrinks, but can you get good detailing out of it? Or, can use it for the bulk of the sculpture, the apply Supersculpy for the final layer? I like Super sculpy, but it is expensive, and what I'm attempting might not fit in the oven. I intend to go into town tomorrow and buy some cheap clay, so if it is a bad idea, then someone please post something to stop me...

[DinoLord]

If you build a 3d armature out of wire you don't actually need much clay.

[triceratops83]

I'm already on it, wire and Aluminium foil. The tutorials Tyrantqueen posted were very helpful. I've used wire armatures before to build a Cthulhu statue a while back, but it cracked to such an extent I gave up on it.

[Justin_]

Anyone like using just cheap, normal pottery/ceramic clay?

Basically you don't want to use any modelling material that shrinks if you're working on an armature. Proper clay for ceramics shrinks a lot between it's wet and dry state, as much as 10%. Also it's very brittle if it isn't kiln-fired. Air-drying modelling clay will have had some kind of oil or plastic added to it and should shrink less but still won't be as strong as an epoxy modelling putty or baked polymer clay. I'd just use the cheapest Sculpey for bulking out the model and use Super Sculpey for the outer layer.

[triceratops83]

Basically you don't want to use any modelling material that shrinks if you're working on an armature. Proper clay for ceramics shrinks a lot between it's wet and dry state, as much as 10%. Also it's very brittle if it isn't kiln-fired.

OK Thanks!

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

I don't think this has been mentioned on this thread before, but does anyone use a clear coat or varnish for their repaints? I was thinking of using one but I'm not sure what I want to prevent a really glossy look.

[tyrantqueen]

I don't think this has been mentioned on this thread before, but does anyone use a clear coat or varnish for their repaints? I was thinking of using one but I'm not sure what I want to prevent a really glossy look.

It has been mentioned before. I like to use varnish because it protects the new paint. You shouldn't have any problems with glossiness if you use a matt varnish.

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

I don't think this has been mentioned on this thread before, but does anyone use a clear coat or varnish for their repaints? I was thinking of using one but I'm not sure what I want to prevent a really glossy look.

It has been mentioned before. I like to use varnish because it protects the new paint. You shouldn't have any problems with glossiness if you use a matt varnish.

Okay, Thanks. Sorry I did not see it from before.

[SpittersForEver]

Hi, I was thinking of getting a model kit to paint or use one of the dinosaurs I have now which are all toys. I have done some Airfix and Tamiya models which were mostly tanks and soldiers. Should I get a kit to paint or repaint one of my current dinosaurs? Thanks 

[tyrantqueen]

Hi, I was thinking of getting a model kit to paint or use one of the dinosaurs I have now which are all toys. I have done some Airfix and Tamiya models which were mostly tanks and soldiers. Should I get a kit to paint or repaint one of my current dinosaurs? Thanks 

If you've built tanks before you probably have the materials needed. You have paint and plastic cement, right? You could get some of the Tamiya/Airfix/Revell/Lindberg plastic kits and see how you like those. Some of them are quite outdated, and to be honest, rather ugly by today's standards, but they are cheap and pretty easy to find. Some of the Tamiyas are quite nice.

On the other hand it might be easier to paint toys because you don't have to build anything. Maybe practise on a chinasaur first.

[Dinosaurana]

Quick question. If one was to say change a pose by cutting parts off and reattaching them, what would be recommended for the filling of spaces and add ons?

[Kayakasaurus]

Quick question. If one was to say change a pose by cutting parts off and reattaching them, what would be recommended for the filling of spaces and add ons?

an epoxy putty works best because it doesn't shrink and you don't need to bake it, it just cures in place from a chemical reaction. I really like magic sculpt which i ordered from Amazon.