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Description

Sculpting tools for Super Sculpey tutorial
by sculptor101/ Alex Liao

The following description is really long, you may skip if you are happy with what you have, you are an expert, you don't have time or not interested.
I'll update this page here when I think of something important. Please advise if you have any question or comment.
A greeting or a simple comment would be gracious besides just copy and download the picture since I spent much time preparing, thanks!

Please join my new Facebook, press like if you are interested in sculpting, or simply like to be a friend. I'll update new tutorials often, and let you know how you can turn your drawing, sketch into sculptures. ^_^
www.facebook.com/AngelbeingWor…

The picture above shown the tools that I often use for Super Sculpey. There are actually many more tools whenever I needed for projects. You may take some time to go over this page, it's important to think of why and how you use them. There is nothing really right or wrong as long as it's good for your artworks. I proved what thoughtful and useful to me. Please let me know if anything says here isn't proper, or you might have any better and great tips, but nicely. Some of tools you are probably familiar with, so I wouldn't say much if not important.

1. designer brush
It's very useful when making fine textures or slightly rough area. It looks more natural if punch the clay with whole brush. You can cut off a bunch of nylon threads, tie one end together with a rubber band. It's good for small area, skin texture (keep making round circles like polish your car... Guess it need a tutorial for that too... *_*)

2. cramp
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

3. handmade scraper
These scrapers are very fine tools in professional sculpting. The scraping tip is a steel wire tied on old paintbrush with enameled wire (magnet wire). Carefully filed and sanded in machine grinder. It may need a tutorial to teach you how if you are interested.

4. clay gun
You can find it in art and craft store easily. Good for details and many area. I also have some secret usage and tips for it. Guess I'll teach you later on. You are gonna love it! You can even make the shot with wires. I'll make a step by step tutorial if you are interested.

5. craft knives/ saws
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

6. handmade knife
They require machine grinder to make, basically they were made out of steel saw. The length, shape would depend on your needs and can be customized. Believe me, they last for a loooong time. Important tip: the knife, you need to make one face TOTALLY flat, no angle. the other side with angle. This way when you need to cut a perfect angle. You'll be able to make it. (Guess it need a tutorial too... You might not know what I'm talking about!)

7. ceramic knife
It's great knife for Super Sculpey, Super Sculpey is sticky and a bit elastic. What you really need is a "thin knife" beside sharp knife. There are some useful tips for this knife that needs other chapter of explanation.

8. vernier calipers
You need to use this when you have to make precise sculptures, such as cartoon characters by style guide, turnaround. Measure it carefully or you may not pass the approval...

9. round cutter
You may use any round shape stuffs for a guide but nothing compare to round cutter for a perfect round cut. The including blade is for paper. It's ok to cut thin layer of clay. You may replace with a big "needle" if you need a thicker cut. The needle works well when cutting clay! Put a small piece of cardboard in the circular center, so it would not move or mire in clay.

10. pincers
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

11. handmade wooden tools
This is the key point of my sculpture!! The answer of sculpting character in Super Sculpey. Believe me, it may take a chapter to tell you why, how to make and use them. Believe me, I only need 3 wooden tools to make living in sculpting!
If you really want to make smooth or soft characters, cartoon, texture of furs, hairs, soft faces, bodies etc. Yes, wooden tools are better choice. But the wooden tools you may find in stores, mostly make for bust sculptures, bigger scale statues, the fibers of wood are too rough. They made out of factory, quality isn't good at all. And the proportion and angles are not right for making figurine in small scale.
So, my suggestion: "make your own wooden tools". I'll put these in another chapter.

12. wooden tools
I specially indicate this flat end wooden tool because it's the best way to smooth big area of sculpture even to a round shape stuff. Wire scrapers wouldn't work well at all.

13. rulers
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

14. oil painting brush
For cleaning, minor texture. General tools.

15. utility knife
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

16. rolling pin and boards
You might wonder how these appear here. Well, this the best way to deal with Super Sculpey when you need to make a perfect smooth and flat surface. Or layers of bases, there are straight pieces of different thickness of paper cardboards, wooden board to adjust the ideal sizes. Tips: It's important to put 2 pieces of A4 paper, one on the top and the other on the bottom of clay. Roll the pin, don't press all the way hard, because it (the clay) will still stick on papers. Pull the papers out and place back again. Now you can roll it all the way. It may take 3 or 4 times to make it perfectly even. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

17. circles board
Use needles instead of knifes or other tools to make a small piece of circular clay cut.

18. nail polish remover
This is the best weapon of smoothing Super Sculpey! Yes, but wait! Not quite happy yet!
Each formula of polish remover may vary, I strongly suggest you to "take a piece of Super Sculpey to the store with you". There are some tester bottles. Be careful and listen what I said here!
Put a little drop of polish remover on the clay, use your finger tip making circle rub on the clay like using lotion. If the clay smoothly dissolved, congratulations. You find the right one. If it looks like tiny water drops on the clay. Skip it, it won't work! So far I found "Revlon nail polish remover" works, but I still hoping you try it before you buy and use it. I don't want to ruin your sculpture because misunderstand my words. Please leave messages if you like to see a tutorial for this!!
Now, tips: apply it with nylon brush flat #4 (small), don't put too much, you'll need to get use to the right amount. Or should I make a video on YouTube... *_* Also, it's important that after you apply many time of the polish remover. It absorb the liquid become a bit shiny and harden. Your sculpture will get smooth but will be hard to put "new clay" on it. you'll need to make the sculpture smooth first even without using the liquid. But use it would be a plus!

19. alcohol completely denatured
This is the best weapon of smoothing Super Sculpey also! But sometime it's hard to find, it is for cleaning I guess. Denatured alcohol can dissolve surface of Super Sculpey also. The way to test this liquid is same as nail polish remover. Always make sure do the test before you buy it and use it!!!
Now, tips: apply it with nylon brush flat #4 (small), don't put too much, you'll need to get use to the right amount. Also, it's important that after you apply many time of denatured alcohol. It absorb the liquid become a bit shiny and harden. Your sculpture will get smooth but will be hard to put new clay on it. you'll need to make the sculpture smooth first even without using the liquid. But use it would be a plus!

20. Sculpey clay softener
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these. It's also good to use when apply new clay on a harden (baked) surface. Put a very thin layer would help to stick the new clay on. Otherwise, you may use crazy glue to put new clay, but careful the amount that you put on.

21. nylon brush
You may use it for the sculpture surface with or before nail polish remover/ denatured alcohol. Nylon brush is really useful to smooth the surface.

22. baby powder
This is another weapon for Super Sculpey, use it as mold release to divide clays. Bake or unbaked. I use it very often for parting clay in the fitted joints. For example, you need to make a pin attachment, when one side of clay is baked, cut or drill a hole, put a little baby powder, fill the new clay, attach to the other side of clay. Got it! Or should I make a tutorial too?

23. heat gun
Sometimes, you might not want to put the clay to bake just for a small part of added clay. Or the oven doesn't have enough room for the sculpture. You can use heat gun. "Be extremely careful with heat gun", it is for melting old paint like door, irons, the temperature is really high! Buy the one with temperature adjustable and according to Sculpey needs. Keep on moving when use it, it will burn you sculpture before you realized. Suggest for advanced sculptor. It's not a hair dryer, I would say: don't buy it if you have kids at home. And don't use it on little or thin sculptures!

24. stainless steel tools/ dentist tools
Probably most of artists, crafters have these tools. It's good for all kinds of materials, textures, angles, details etc.
I know you may not totally agree with me on the following opinions. But try to see my explanation.
the tools are made in stainless metal, no matter how you sand or file it. It still too sharp to Super sculpey. The fresh Super Sculpey is a bit sticky, when dentist tools move on the clay surface, it creates more uneven areas that you need to go back and forth to fix it. These tools are good for details and heavy textured like monsters, zombies, creatures, exaggerating muscles etc.
If you really want to make smooth or soft characters, cartoon, texture of furs, hairs, soft faces, bodies etc. Yes, wooden tools are better choice. But the wooden tools you may find in stores, mostly make for bust sculptures, bigger scale statues, the fibers of wood are too rough. They made out of factory, quality isn't good at all. And the proportion and angles are not right for making figurine in small scale.
So, my suggestion: "make your own wooden tools". I'll put these in another chapter.

25. wooden tools
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these. The shapes, angles, scales are not good for small figurines. You need to modify it a lot more like small, flatten spoons in different sizes. I'll make another chapter for it!

26. scrapers
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these. This is not good tools for Super Sculpey. The shapes, angles, scales are not good for small figurines. Try to find smaller scrapers. As small as possible or make it yourself.

-----------------------------------------------------
《歡迎搜尋加入》Welcome to add me:
Facebook： www.facebook.com/AngelbeingWor…
Blog： sculptor101.deviantart.com/
Instagram： www.instagram.com/sculptor101_…
Pinterest： www.pinterest.com/sculptor101_…
Youtube：youtube.com/c/AngelbeingWorkshop/

#design #Blog #deviantart #sculpture #garagekit #sculptor #videoturorial #molding #modeling #YouTube #FaceBook #Instagram #pinterest #sculpturetutorials #arts #雕塑 #原模師 #雕塑教學 #公仔模型 #動漫 #翻模 #原型師 #公仔 #精工 #影片教學 #藝術 #設計 #陶藝 #模型 #模型師

Description

Sculpting tools for Super Sculpey tutorial
by sculptor101/ Alex Liao

The following description is really long, you may skip if you are happy with what you have, you are an expert, you don't have time or not interested.
I'll update this page here when I think of something important. Please advise if you have any question or comment.
A greeting or a simple comment would be gracious besides just copy and download the picture since I spent much time preparing, thanks!

Please join my new Facebook, press like if you are interested in sculpting, or simply like to be a friend. I'll update new tutorials often, and let you know how you can turn your drawing, sketch into sculptures. ^_^
www.facebook.com/AngelbeingWor…

The picture above shown the tools that I often use for Super Sculpey. There are actually many more tools whenever I needed for projects. You may take some time to go over this page, it's important to think of why and how you use them. There is nothing really right or wrong as long as it's good for your artworks. I proved what thoughtful and useful to me. Please let me know if anything says here isn't proper, or you might have any better and great tips, but nicely. Some of tools you are probably familiar with, so I wouldn't say much if not important.

1. designer brush
It's very useful when making fine textures or slightly rough area. It looks more natural if punch the clay with whole brush. You can cut off a bunch of nylon threads, tie one end together with a rubber band. It's good for small area, skin texture (keep making round circles like polish your car... Guess it need a tutorial for that too... *_*)

2. cramp
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

3. handmade scraper
These scrapers are very fine tools in professional sculpting. The scraping tip is a steel wire tied on old paintbrush with enameled wire (magnet wire). Carefully filed and sanded in machine grinder. It may need a tutorial to teach you how if you are interested.

4. clay gun
You can find it in art and craft store easily. Good for details and many area. I also have some secret usage and tips for it. Guess I'll teach you later on. You are gonna love it! You can even make the shot with wires. I'll make a step by step tutorial if you are interested.

5. craft knives/ saws
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

6. handmade knife
They require machine grinder to make, basically they were made out of steel saw. The length, shape would depend on your needs and can be customized. Believe me, they last for a loooong time. Important tip: the knife, you need to make one face TOTALLY flat, no angle. the other side with angle. This way when you need to cut a perfect angle. You'll be able to make it. (Guess it need a tutorial too... You might not know what I'm talking about!)

7. ceramic knife
It's great knife for Super Sculpey, Super Sculpey is sticky and a bit elastic. What you really need is a "thin knife" beside sharp knife. There are some useful tips for this knife that needs other chapter of explanation.

8. vernier calipers
You need to use this when you have to make precise sculptures, such as cartoon characters by style guide, turnaround. Measure it carefully or you may not pass the approval...

9. round cutter
You may use any round shape stuffs for a guide but nothing compare to round cutter for a perfect round cut. The including blade is for paper. It's ok to cut thin layer of clay. You may replace with a big "needle" if you need a thicker cut. The needle works well when cutting clay! Put a small piece of cardboard in the circular center, so it would not move or mire in clay.

10. pincers
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

11. handmade wooden tools
This is the key point of my sculpture!! The answer of sculpting character in Super Sculpey. Believe me, it may take a chapter to tell you why, how to make and use them. Believe me, I only need 3 wooden tools to make living in sculpting!
If you really want to make smooth or soft characters, cartoon, texture of furs, hairs, soft faces, bodies etc. Yes, wooden tools are better choice. But the wooden tools you may find in stores, mostly make for bust sculptures, bigger scale statues, the fibers of wood are too rough. They made out of factory, quality isn't good at all. And the proportion and angles are not right for making figurine in small scale.
So, my suggestion: "make your own wooden tools". I'll put these in another chapter.

12. wooden tools
I specially indicate this flat end wooden tool because it's the best way to smooth big area of sculpture even to a round shape stuff. Wire scrapers wouldn't work well at all.

13. rulers
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

14. oil painting brush
For cleaning, minor texture. General tools.

15. utility knife
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these.

16. rolling pin and boards
You might wonder how these appear here. Well, this the best way to deal with Super Sculpey when you need to make a perfect smooth and flat surface. Or layers of bases, there are straight pieces of different thickness of paper cardboards, wooden board to adjust the ideal sizes. Tips: It's important to put 2 pieces of A4 paper, one on the top and the other on the bottom of clay. Roll the pin, don't press all the way hard, because it (the clay) will still stick on papers. Pull the papers out and place back again. Now you can roll it all the way. It may take 3 or 4 times to make it perfectly even. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

17. circles board
Use needles instead of knifes or other tools to make a small piece of circular clay cut.

18. nail polish remover
This is the best weapon of smoothing Super Sculpey! Yes, but wait! Not quite happy yet!
Each formula of polish remover may vary, I strongly suggest you to "take a piece of Super Sculpey to the store with you". There are some tester bottles. Be careful and listen what I said here!
Put a little drop of polish remover on the clay, use your finger tip making circle rub on the clay like using lotion. If the clay smoothly dissolved, congratulations. You find the right one. If it looks like tiny water drops on the clay. Skip it, it won't work! So far I found "Revlon nail polish remover" works, but I still hoping you try it before you buy and use it. I don't want to ruin your sculpture because misunderstand my words. Please leave messages if you like to see a tutorial for this!!
Now, tips: apply it with nylon brush flat #4 (small), don't put too much, you'll need to get use to the right amount. Or should I make a video on YouTube... *_* Also, it's important that after you apply many time of the polish remover. It absorb the liquid become a bit shiny and harden. Your sculpture will get smooth but will be hard to put "new clay" on it. you'll need to make the sculpture smooth first even without using the liquid. But use it would be a plus!

19. alcohol completely denatured
This is the best weapon of smoothing Super Sculpey also! But sometime it's hard to find, it is for cleaning I guess. Denatured alcohol can dissolve surface of Super Sculpey also. The way to test this liquid is same as nail polish remover. Always make sure do the test before you buy it and use it!!!
Now, tips: apply it with nylon brush flat #4 (small), don't put too much, you'll need to get use to the right amount. Also, it's important that after you apply many time of denatured alcohol. It absorb the liquid become a bit shiny and harden. Your sculpture will get smooth but will be hard to put new clay on it. you'll need to make the sculpture smooth first even without using the liquid. But use it would be a plus!

20. Sculpey clay softener
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these. It's also good to use when apply new clay on a harden (baked) surface. Put a very thin layer would help to stick the new clay on. Otherwise, you may use crazy glue to put new clay, but careful the amount that you put on.

21. nylon brush
You may use it for the sculpture surface with or before nail polish remover/ denatured alcohol. Nylon brush is really useful to smooth the surface.

22. baby powder
This is another weapon for Super Sculpey, use it as mold release to divide clays. Bake or unbaked. I use it very often for parting clay in the fitted joints. For example, you need to make a pin attachment, when one side of clay is baked, cut or drill a hole, put a little baby powder, fill the new clay, attach to the other side of clay. Got it! Or should I make a tutorial too?

23. heat gun
Sometimes, you might not want to put the clay to bake just for a small part of added clay. Or the oven doesn't have enough room for the sculpture. You can use heat gun. "Be extremely careful with heat gun", it is for melting old paint like door, irons, the temperature is really high! Buy the one with temperature adjustable and according to Sculpey needs. Keep on moving when use it, it will burn you sculpture before you realized. Suggest for advanced sculptor. It's not a hair dryer, I would say: don't buy it if you have kids at home. And don't use it on little or thin sculptures!

24. stainless steel tools/ dentist tools
Probably most of artists, crafters have these tools. It's good for all kinds of materials, textures, angles, details etc.
I know you may not totally agree with me on the following opinions. But try to see my explanation.
the tools are made in stainless metal, no matter how you sand or file it. It still too sharp to Super sculpey. The fresh Super Sculpey is a bit sticky, when dentist tools move on the clay surface, it creates more uneven areas that you need to go back and forth to fix it. These tools are good for details and heavy textured like monsters, zombies, creatures, exaggerating muscles etc.
If you really want to make smooth or soft characters, cartoon, texture of furs, hairs, soft faces, bodies etc. Yes, wooden tools are better choice. But the wooden tools you may find in stores, mostly make for bust sculptures, bigger scale statues, the fibers of wood are too rough. They made out of factory, quality isn't good at all. And the proportion and angles are not right for making figurine in small scale.
So, my suggestion: "make your own wooden tools". I'll put these in another chapter.

25. wooden tools
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these. The shapes, angles, scales are not good for small figurines. You need to modify it a lot more like small, flatten spoons in different sizes. I'll make another chapter for it!

26. scrapers
General tools, I bet you use these a lot, so I skip these. This is not good tools for Super Sculpey. The shapes, angles, scales are not good for small figurines. Try to find smaller scrapers. As small as possible or make it yourself.

-----------------------------------------------------
《歡迎搜尋加入》Welcome to add me:
Facebook： www.facebook.com/AngelbeingWor…
Blog： sculptor101.deviantart.com/
Instagram： www.instagram.com/sculptor101_…
Pinterest： www.pinterest.com/sculptor101_…
Youtube：youtube.com/c/AngelbeingWorkshop/

#design #Blog #deviantart #sculpture #garagekit #sculptor #videoturorial #molding #modeling #YouTube #FaceBook #Instagram #pinterest #sculpturetutorials #arts #雕塑 #原模師 #雕塑教學 #公仔模型 #動漫 #翻模 #原型師 #公仔 #精工 #影片教學 #藝術 #設計 #陶藝 #模型 #模型師