Clay for modeling – which one to choose

The content of the article

• What is clay for modeling
• Views
• Polymer clay for modeling
• Self hardening
• Baked
• How to choose clay for modeling
• For beginners
• Art clay

Many types of needlework have become popular hobbies. Clay clay is used to create unique handmade jewelry, it is easy to spend time with this substance to good use or even earn extra money. Mysterious handmade figures decorate the interior of the house and attract the attention of guests. For young children, working with clay is a developmental activity, thanks to which they learn the world.

What is clay for modeling

This substance is used by children and adults for creative purposes, for example, for modeling complex figures. Initially, this is a mineral that appears as a result of rock erosion. Wind and water contribute to the weathering and leaching of dry pulverulent matter from the rocks. One-color mass, suitable for modeling, is extracted from the ground. To become fit for work, she goes a long way:

• First, it is dried, crushed and filled with water..
• Then the mass is mixed, defended, filtered, dried and crushed..
• Material must be brought to a dough-like state.

Views

There are many varieties of clay, from which you can create certain products. It can be self-hardening and intended for firing. Vacuum mass is sold in specialized stores, the products of which will last a long time, since air is sucked out of the material using modern technological equipment. Natural ceramic raw materials are not inferior in popularity. Reusable clay-plasticine is intended for children and beginners in sculpting, the material for making porcelain dishes is especially appreciated.

Polymer clay for modeling

This is a well-known material for applied art, which allows even in the home environment to engage in the creation of decorative products, dolls, decor items, gifts. Polymer clay is produced mainly abroad. Those involved in modeling know many of its varieties that differ in consistency, texture, flexibility, color and other characteristics. Here are some of its types with different properties: “Fimo classic”, “Fimo soft”, “Craft & Clay”, “Sculpey”, “Artifact”, “Fantazer”, “Koh-i-Noor”, “Cernit”, “Fleur”. Let’s find out more about them..

Self hardening

It is a material for modeling, hardening in the open air in a certain number of hours or days. No special conditions are required for this process. The larger the size of the figure, the longer it will dry out – the products harden no more than a centimeter per day. Self-hardening polymer clay is most suitable for making flat figures. It is important to store it so that air does not enter the package – otherwise the material will harden, and then you will not be able to use it.

The polymer mass “Fleur” is referred to as cold china. The material is designed for crafts with delicate details in the field of ceramic floristry. This type of plastic is easy to roll into thin petals, insect wings. Consider this kind of clay:

• Title: “Fleur”.
• Price: a bar weighing 200 g costs from 404 to 475 rubles, you can order, for example, by mail.
• Characteristics: thin products from this material remain flexible and durable. White elastic mass freezes in air. To give it a color, it is necessary to interfere with oil paints. To work with the material you need to know the basics of painting, floristry and sculpture. Open clay for modeling should be stored in well-wrapped special film packaging.
• Pros: flexibility, transparency, high quality, the ability to create thin details.
• Cons: when dried, the figure darkens a lot, so paint should be mixed in a small amount. During sculpting, the material may begin to harden – in this case you will have to mix a little latex glue.

“Fantazer” is a Russian-made molding mass containing refined red clay powder. It is harmless to health, products designed to develop children’s creativity. More about her:

• Title: “Dreamer”.
• Price: a box weighing 340 g costs from 150 to 200 rubles.
• Characteristic: homogeneous mass, ductile, soft, does not require firing. This type of plastic is used for sculptural and pottery works. It hardens in the air during the day. The material is suitable for the manufacture of figures, household items, decorations. This is polymer clay for beginners..
• Pros: it flexes easily, products are durable, dry well, harden quickly.
• Cons: the mass hardens if storage conditions are violated. No significant deficiencies in the work.

The self-hardening polymer mass of the Czech production “Koh-i-Noor” is based on natural clay. Suitable for creativity at any age. Plastic is presented in plain white and terracotta color, hardens per day. Detailed Product Information:

• Title: “Koh-i-Noor”.
• Price: a package weighing 300 g is sold on the Internet at a price of 169 to 218 rubles.
• Description: recommended for children from three years old. Used for sculpting decorations, sculptures, and decorations. It does not stick to hands; before work, it is worth wetting your hands with water. Hardening is fast. For example, a figure 2 cm thick dries in a day. It is recommended to process it after drying and hardening..
• Pros: soft, plastic evacuated mass, not harmful to health.
• Cons: the material is not moisture resistant, crackes, crumbles, products are fragile after drying, it is difficult to fashion small parts from it.

Baked

Clay intended for heat treatment is durable and hard. It is used in pottery, creating sculptures, dishes. Today, many types of baked clay are known that are suitable for certain types of work. They consist of a base and a plasticizer, which gives plastic properties. Let us dwell on some types of details.

Fimo classic is a product of the Staedtler brand, a variation of the popular thermoplastic grade. The manufacturer presented it in 24 colors. Ideally suited for creating products – decor elements, jewelry, segments for bracelets, pendants, figurines. Details for Fimo:

• Title: “Fimo classic”.
• The order price on the Internet is 115 rubles for a package weighing 57 grams, 604 rubles – 350 grams.
• Characteristics: the material is solid and durable, it becomes soft after thorough kneading, it is easy to make small particles and parts. The material is divided into identical segments, so that it is convenient to separate a piece from the briquette. Products from this clay for modeling require heat treatment at temperatures up to 110 ° C for 30 minutes. Unbaked products will be fragile and fragile. The firing duration depends on the thickness and size of the figure. The crafts that went through this procedure, for example, jewelry, jewelry, become durable. They should be polished and painted..
• Pros: decor elements from this type of plastic are more durable than clay from other lines. Contours of a product from Fimo classic are easy to make clear and neat.
• Cons: the material is a little complicated to work with, because you need to take time and make efforts to give it elasticity.

“Fimo soft” is a convenient material. The manufacturer created an original multi-color palette of 24 colors. This type of thermoplastics complements the classic version. The product is used by adults, those who start modeling, and children. Detailed information:

• Title: “Fimo soft”.
• Price: a package weighing 57 g in St. Petersburg costs 176 p., And 350 g – 924 p..
• Characteristics: this type of plastic is more in demand than classical, because its substance is softer. After heat treatment, the product becomes hard. The baking temperature is 110 ° C for 20-30 minutes. The time depends on the thickness of the clay layer..
• Pros: softness and smoothness, suitable for both beginner art lovers and masters. The material is ready to use..
• Cons: it is difficult to achieve clarity in creating the contours of small elements of a particular figure, hands get dirty, products are fragile.

Products Polyform Products, known under the common brand Sculpey is one of the most durable types of plastic. A series of products has been developed – both soft and hard (in separate lines). This company produces plastic for firing and plastic mass for children’s creativity. Detailed information:

• Title: “Sculpey”.
• Cost: a bar weighing 57 g – from 172 to 196 rubles. You can buy clay for modeling with delivery in Moscow in the online store.
• Characteristic: suitable for creating elements of jewelry, interiors, jewelry, mosaics. Using plastic, it is easy to emphasize the fine detail of the relief and texture of the surface of the product. The palette is made in classic colors for artists. After heat treatment at a temperature of 130 ° C, the product can be sanded, painted and varnished..
• Pros: strength, softness, it can be mixed to get new shades.
• Cons: there are few translucent shades in the palette, because of fragility it is not recommended to create small parts using Sculpey Premo.

How to choose clay for modeling

Each master, potter, sculptor and amateur prefers this or that type of clay for modeling. Those who want to develop and make money are not too lazy to try new techniques and working methods, they use different ceramic masses, polymers, gypsum. Although choosing the best option is not easy, many masters still work with one or two grades of clay.

To determine the choice of clay brand, study the offers of different stores on the Internet. Advice:

1. Read about the companies that produce clay, choose the option that suits the quality, price, properties, purpose (for beginners, craftsmen).
2. Look carefully at the date of production on the packaging. The container must be intact and not expired, otherwise you will not be able to fashion anything from it.
3. Choose the right clay or paint color to make the product look good.
4. Sets of branded raw materials and tools sold on the Internet.
5. Remember the security of personal data when making purchase and sale transactions.

For beginners

Mass for modeling is used to create decorative products. It’s about polymer clay. The characteristic of each of its species differs in such properties as:

1. viscosity;
2. hardness;
3. elasticity;
4. plastic;
5. grain;
6. strength.

According to the method of hardening, the following types of plastics are distinguished:

• Self-hardening, it is used to create figures, toys, figurines, parts of dolls, small details (“Fantazer”, “Koh-i-Noor”, “Fleur”, “Craft & Clay”).
• Baked, it becomes solid and durable after heat treatment at a temperature of 100–130 ° С (“Fimo classic”, “Fimo soft”, “Sculpey”).

Art clay

When choosing a product, it is worth considering its characteristics so that the material is suitable for quality and texture. Famous brands of products for artwork and sculpture: Super Sculpey, Modena, Modern, Zumaia, PVG, Prai, Craft & clay, Pram. Another option – real pottery – is used to create home decoration. It is purchased at needlework stores, hobby shops, often does not have markings, and there are no popular brands on sale. Such clay should be:

• severe
• oily;
• malleable;
• elastic;
• without fireclay;
• able to withstand a given shape.