[Woodcarver] Modeling Clay

[Lori Corbett]

Hi Chris...that all depends. I make clay models of nearly all of my 
birds before I start carving. I create bird, base and habitat as one 
design. I use an oil based clay called Roma Plastilina (medium 
hardness). This type of clay does not dry out when properly cared 
for...meaning that if I am inserting any cardboard mock-ups of wing or 
tail, I cover them first in masking tape to keep the cardboard from 
wicking out the oil from the clay. Once I have completed my clay model, 
I use that as my template for making my patterns. The advantage of 
making clay models is that you can work out any design or anatomy 
problems prior to cutting into wood. Regular clay modeling tools are 
used to form the clay...I bought a (box?)wood set from my local art 
store. Another oil-based clay that is used often is called Chavant. The 
beauty of oil-based clays is that you can pound the ever-lovin-crap out 
of it when you're done (great stress reliever) and reuse it later. I 
just keep it all in a plastic garbage bag. I've tried the plastic 
modeling tools, but much prefer the wood ones...they seem to be less 
sticky with the clay.
    If you are going to make a large model, you need to build a 
supporting armature first. Anything that will support the weight of the 
clay around it and hold the intended shape will work. I've used whatever 
I had on hand in my shop at the time...chicken wire, Styrofoam, cork, 
brass rods, wood...whatever. Just make suer that whatever you are using 
does not soak up the oils of your clay...wrap it in masking tape if it's 
a porous material.
    Now, another type of clay I use is Sculpey. This clay hardens with 
heat. I use it primarily to sculpt a "jig" to form my free-form mounts 
over. I like free-form presentations for my birds, and I use other 
materials for these other than wood. The hardening clays give me 
something solid to form my presentations over. I usually form copper 
sheets over the hardened clay (either by heating and bending, light 
hammering or outright hand forming). You could use your boxwood tools 
with this clay, too. 
    This clay can be hardened in your oven at 275 degrees, but since I 
make large presentations, they always don't fit into an oven. In that 
case, I use a heat gun (the kind that is used to strip paint). You can 
get a decent one for around $40.00 with a temperature setting dial from 
250-1000 degrees. I think mine is an "Eddy" brand.
 
Lori

chrishoward307 at bellsouth.net wrote:

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>  Hi all,
>
>   Wanted to post a question I think will help many of us. What types of modeling clay is recommended tools and techniques used. 
>Chris Howard
>Gatlinburg Tn
>http://www.gatlinburg-artist.com/
>
>
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