Sculpted plasticine – how to work with the material, differences from the usual, overview by manufacturers and price

The content of the article

• What is sculptural clay
• What is different from usual
• How to work with sculptural clay
• What can be done from sculpted plasticine
• Species
• Gamma of hobbies
• Ray
• Greenwich line
• Gamma
• the globe
• How to choose sculpted clay

An excellent material for creating figures and busts is clay for sculpting sculptures. It is suitable for professionals and beginners. It is easy to handle, while the crafts are realistic because of the natural color scheme. Due to the elasticity and flexibility of the material, you can easily create figures from it, for this you just need to slightly knead the bar.

What is sculptural clay

Professionals who create sculptures for themselves or for commercial purposes use different materials for work. Special clay is considered to be the most popular, but masters also use clay for sculptures. This material is also used in art schools, there are even special circles, for example, sculpting from sculptural plasticine for beginners..

What is different from usual

Sculptural clay differs from the usual one in that it is very plastic. This material is represented in many colors that are close to natural shades. The school version of this substance has to be rubbed for some time in the hands in order to achieve softness and to be able to fashion a figure. A professional quickly warms up from the warmth of his hands, without any extra effort. Due to the flexibility of the material, even small objects with many microelements can be molded out of it.

How to work with sculptural clay

The modeling technique from plasticine for sculptural works is similar to that used in kindergartens and schools. There are slight differences in the additional tools used. The molding process consists of the following steps:

1. Create a sketch of the future product.
2. Measure the right amount of material and cut from a large piece.
3. To better soften a piece of the plate, you can put it in hot water or another heat source. Then knead with your hands, making it soft and supple.
4. Start creating a mold of future clay sculpture.
5. Take additional tools to create a more realistic model, highlight details. For this, for example, different sizes and shapes of stacks, wire, petroleum jelly, heated water can be used..
6. In order for the large craft to not fall apart and not change shape, experts use a technical technique: they insert a frame from a metal wire into the product. Copper can not be used, because the elements that are in the composition of plasticine react with it. It will not bring harm to a person, but the quality of the craft will deteriorate.
7. Before using the tools, they must be moistened in water so that the clay does not stick. Hands should also be moistened periodically.
8. Soft varieties are often used for large crafts and hard varieties for miniatures..

What can be done from sculpted plasticine

You can sculpt from sculpted plasticine almost everything: from different types of animals, a human face to any miniature with small details. For example, you can make a face mask for a carnival, at the same time give free rein to imagination and create something bright and unusual. For these purposes, when creating products, different colors are assembled. Often such material is used to make still lifes from vegetables or fruits. Small figures of animals or household items work well.

Species

There are two main types of substance: soft and hard. The first option will not require additional effort when working, and the hard one will have to be heated longer, but the figures from it will be better to maintain their shape. Plasticine is produced for molding various products with a bar, the weight of which is 300, 500 or 1000 g. To buy a product cheaply, you can order it by stock in an online store. In Moscow and St. Petersburg there are many places where the sale is carried out remotely, there are often discounts or sales, delivery by mail or courier is offered.

Gamma of hobbies

Inexpensive and high-quality material is offered by the Gamma of Hobbies company. Any crafts can be made from it. Soft grade of material allows you to start modeling objects without unnecessary efforts:

• model name: Gamma of hobbies, soft;
• price: 110 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – soft; color – gray;
• pluses: does not stick to hands and tools, does not stain hands, has no smell, is resistant to temperature extremes; the sculpture holds its shape well;
• cons: it is easy to damage the resulting figure, because the mass does not freeze to the end.

Finished products from a solid grade of material are strong, almost never damaged afterwards. On such a substance, it is easy to draw small parts, work with stacks. It is recommended to inexperienced sculptors who are just starting to create the first creations:

• model name: Gamma of hobbies, solid;
• price: 105 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – solid; color – gray;
• pluses: does not stick to hands and tools; Does not stain hands; odorless; resistant to temperature extremes; the sculpture holds its shape well;
• Cons: you need to preheat in advance so that it is convenient to create products; work takes longer compared to the soft variety of the same manufacturer.

Ray

Plasticine for sculptural modeling “Ray” is offered in two versions: hard and soft. Both types are available in several colors, each shade is close to natural tones. Working with such material is not easy due to excessive softness, it is easy to accidentally press and damage the resulting shape:

• model name: Ray de luxe, soft;
• price: 115 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – soft; color – flesh;
• pluses: unlimited shelf life; does not stick to hands, clothes and tools; it does not freeze for a long time, due to which it is possible to make changes to the created sculpture after a long time;
• cons: it is easy to damage the figure after the completion of the process; it is necessary to wait some time for the product to cool slightly and harden, although it will not dry out to the end.

A solid version of the material makes the molding process possible at any time: there is no fear that the work will be damaged. You can work with it for a long time, because the expiration date is unlimited. This material is one of the highest quality, although the price is low:

• model name: Ray de luxe, solid;
• price: 73 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 300 g; production – Russia; type – solid; color – gray;
• pluses: suitable for creating paintings, applications; resistant to temperature extremes; odorless; non toxic no expiration date; does not stick to hands, clothes and tools;
• cons: a hard variety must be additionally heated either by hand or with the help of improvised means in order to be able to fully work with it.

Greenwich line

Great material for sculpting and modeling models of future sculptures – Greenwich Line. A soft variety does not stick to hands, its properties are similar to clay, only it does not harden to the end, so you can make something else later from the finished product. Check out the material specifications:

• model name: Greenwich Line, soft;
• price: 82 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – soft; color – olive;
• pluses: it is intended for modeling and modeling; does not stick to hands; odorless; elastic and plastic in a warmed form; keeps shape well;
• cons: not suitable for creating sculptures and busts.

Hard grades are often used to create appliqués and paintings. Such material holds its shape well after hardening. It is resistant to temperature changes, so in the process of sculpting, you can not be afraid of drafts and a sharp cooling. Other characteristics of the material:

• model name: Greenwich Line, solid;
• price: 91 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – solid; color – terracotta;
• Pros: suitable for paintings and applications; without smell; non toxic does not leave spots; does not stick to hands;
• Cons: it’s not worth making layouts from it, because it does not have such flexibility as a soft variety of the same manufacturer.

Gamma

Plasticine “Lyceum” manufacturer “Gamma” is an elite material, which is expressed in the value of the goods. Due to the presence of mineral pigments in the composition, the material is environmentally friendly and pleasant to work with:

• model name: Gamma “Lyceum”, soft;
• price: 169 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – soft; color – flesh;
• pluses: similar in density to oil; it contains mineral pigments and fillers; keeps shape well;
• cons: high price.

The hard grade “Studio” plasticine of the same company is also a top class material. The product does not have an expiration date, there is no unpleasant odor, and the shape of the sculptural clay craft is preserved well:

• model name: Gamma “Studio”, solid;
• price: 344 rubles;
• characteristics: in the package – 1 kg; production – Russia; type – solid; color – olive;
• pluses: does not dry; preserves plastic properties; keeps its shape well, therefore, suitable for sculptural miniatures; resistant to temperature changes; does not leave spots; does not stick; has an unlimited shelf life;
• cons: high price.

the globe

To make a sculpture or a model of a future product, it is better to use a soft grade of plasticine from the Globus company. It is inexpensive, easy to use, easily amenable to any changes:

• model name: Globe, soft;
• price: 69 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – soft; color – gray;
• pluses: high plastic properties; Includes wax; easy to soften; Suitable for creating sculptures and layouts; holds form; resistant to temperature changes; does not leave spots; non toxic does not stick to hands; low price;
• cons: not detected.

Of the hard varieties of clay “Globe”, models are often made for future large sculptures or even the final work itself is small. The material is inexpensive, high-quality, has optimal elasticity and ductility:

• model name: Globe, solid;
• price: 74 rubles;
• characteristics: in packing – 500 g; production – Russia; type – solid; color – terracotta;
• pluses: plasticine for modeling plastic; elastic; does not freeze quickly, so all the details can be fixed at any time;
• cons: not detected.

How to choose sculpted clay

If you used to work with clay, then unlike it, clay for sculpting sculptures retains its plastic properties and does not dry. When choosing a manufacturer and a series of this material, pay attention to the following points:

• The product should be of medium ductility, so that it can easily warm up in the hands.
• It is better to take an odorless substance, although it may smell weak and not caustic. The smell of rosin is often found, which is easy to get used to..
• The color should be uniform. Often there is gray and other natural shades. Color model material available.
• Domestic brands are cheaper than imported ones, although they are identical in quality. Foreign material has a wider color gamut due to the addition of dyes.
• Hard varieties are suitable for jewelry and medallion work, with their help it is easy to make clear lines, observe the accuracy of details.
• Soft varieties are suitable for creating small figures, figurines, monuments.

If you have already bought a product and want to make sure how high quality it is, you can check it at home. Note for yourself whether all the nuances from the list below are present:

• there are no harmful synthetic additives on the label;
• components of only plant origin;
• the material does not crumble and does not dry out;
• the substance quickly warms up in the hands and becomes elastic;
• after working with the material there are no greasy spots and films on the surface;
• pieces of substance are easily combined into one lump;
• residual material can be easily washed off with hands using warm water and soap.