Just starting out...

[Bob Aboey]

What would the talented folks here suggest as a "beginner's kit" for sculpting characters?

What type of materials would you consider essential to the process for a beginner?

[VinReaper]

Great question!! I want to hear the advice on that. I am a Noob at kits, painting and especially sculpting myself!

I am all ears.

VR

[HELLION]

LIST OF ALL MATERIALS NEEDED



PAPER & PENCIL
refrence material

SCULPTING TOOLS
CLAY PUSHERS/ PAINT PUSHERS
DENTAL TOOLS
WOOD
WIRE LOOP
TEXTURE TOOLS

MATERIALS FOR ARMATURE

TIN FOIL
used to bulk up armature

2 PART EPOXY
I use a good five minute epoxy putty

PLY BOARDS,
Cut these to suit your needs as a 8 X5 board will work for a 12" sculpture but you'll need something bigger for a life-sized bust

PLIERS
Get many pairs for different jobs like clipping wire in tight places or bending / cutting thick wire

GALVINIZED WIRE
Basically it's fence wire in 10-12 gauge but it can be twisted together to make a stronger armature

DRILL
A drill is a must and for the most part a one time expense


FOR THE SCULPTING PART

CLAY OF CHOICE
Super Scupey is a good one

PASTA MACHINE
You can kneed all the clay by hand but give your Joints a break and work with one of these machines

CLAY SOFTNER
Needed to reconstitute clay when dry


CALPIPERS
A calipers is a device used to measure the distance between two symmetrically opposing sides.

RULERS
Used for getting porportions and measurements right

BRUSHES
Needed for smoothing clay and more

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 70 & 90 %
used to smooth clay

LIGHTER FLUID
also used to smooth clay


FOR CLEAN UP AND REPAIR OF BAKED SCULPTURE

SAND PAPER
A good automotive wet/dry works great!

FILES
Small and large to fit any job

VASALINE
Used to attach fresh clay to baked and other neat tricks

AVES EPOXY SCULPT

[Bob Aboey]

Wow! Thanks very much for this, Hellion! I really appreciate it. I've put some clarification questions below, if you have time to address them.

Originally Posted by HELLION

LIST OF ALL MATERIALS NEEDED

SCULPTING TOOLS
CLAY PUSHERS/ PAINT PUSHERS - Any brands/sizes I should either seek or avoid?
DENTAL TOOLS Same question as above
WOOD
WIRE LOOP
TEXTURE TOOLS - Er... uh... what do you mean?

MATERIALS FOR ARMATURE

2 PART EPOXY
I use a good five minute epoxy putty - Any type?

DRILL
A drill is a must and for the most part a one time expense - What would it be used for?

BRUSHES
Needed for smoothing clay and more - Any specific types?

FILES
Small and large to fit any job - Flexible or rigid... or both?

AVES EPOXY SCULPT - What is this for?

Thanks again for your time and expertise. It is appreciated.

[Jesse321]

Hellion ... where do you get "clay softener"?

[HELLION]

Originally Posted by Jesse321

Hellion ... where do you get "clay softener"?

I get mine from Hobby Lobby in San Antonio but I'm now in Phoenix and there are no hobby lobby stores out here so I'll have to order online when I run out, ggod thing I have three bottles of the stuff.

[moore_000]

Originally Posted by Jesse321

Hellion ... where do you get "clay softener"?

There is a "Clay Softener" for Super Sculpey and it is called "Clay Softener". It is made by the same company that makes Super Sculpey. Don't know how it will react with other type of oven baked clay, but it can literally "melt" Super Sculpey like butter. See link below. They also sell Super Sculpey cheap:

http://www.creative-wholesale.com/Productstools.htm

[moore_000]

Originally Posted by Bob Aboey

What would the talented folks here suggest as a "beginner's kit" for sculpting characters?

What type of materials would you consider essential to the process for a beginner?

I would suggest that you start by getting only what you need such as Super Sculpey and plastic sculpting tools. I would strongly advise against using Aves Epoxy Sculpt for beginners because you only have about 3 hours of working time frame before this sucker hardens like a rock. As a beginner I would suggest first learn how to manipulate the clay to get a specific effect you want. Start with simple sculpt first like Casper the ghost or similar simple cartoon characters.

[HELLION]

OH MY GOD!!!! THANK YOU moore_000 I've been looking for some place that sells Sculpey FIRM in BULK! I've been searching for about a year now and with your help BOOM!!! I've found it!
1lb box,
12 boxes case
Special Price $8.64 each
That should come out to only $103.68 + s&h

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

[HELLION]

Originally Posted by moore_000

I would suggest that you start by getting only what you need such as Super Sculpey and plastic sculpting tools. I would strongly advise against using Aves Epoxy Sculpt for beginners because you only have about 3 hours of working time frame before this sucker hardens like a rock. As a beginner I would suggest first learn how to manipulate the clay to get a specific effect you want. Start with simple sculpt first like Casper the ghost or similar simple cartoon characters.

That's good and all, nice and safe but I'm a balls to the wall type and have chosen to test myself from the beginning with difficult projects. I forced myself to learn by forcing myself to sculpt what I was not sure I could. The great thing about this clay is the shelf life allowing you to work and rework as many times as needed to get exacly what you want.
Start with the armature if your going to need one.
buy little by little as you enter a new stage in the process.
Moore is correct in buying just clay and some tools if you just want to sculpt something small and fool around to get a feel for the clay. But if you know you want to do more I'd start working at making armatures.
oh and I have the aves in the FOR CLEAN UP AND REPAIR OF BAKED SCULPTURE section of the list