Sculpting: Tools and Medium
Introduction:
This article is an introduction to sculpting and covers the basics of the tools used while sculpting, and some basic equipment to help make the process easier. In other articles I hope to cover different techniques I use to sculpt details on my conversions.
Medium:
There are a number of different sculpting mediums around, each with their own properties. The most common is green stuff a two part epoxy, it comes in two strips a blue and yellow which you mix in roughly equal parts before using. Make sure it is well mixed and that it has turned completely green, all traces of the blue and yellow should have gone. With green stuff you should be aware that working time is quite limited to from half an hour to around an hour or so depending on the mix you use, most sculpters use a little more yellow than blue. Temperature will also affect the curing time.
There are other epoxy putties such as Brown-stuff and Milliput. Both these cure with a rock hard finish.
Other sculpting mediums include polymer clays, these need to be backed to cure and have the benefit of indefinate working time.
Lubrication:
You may have noticed that green stuff is quite sticky. I tend to use a number of different lubricants depending on what I'm doing.
For beginners Vaseline is a good start, just don't apply to much. Vaseline will allow you to very easily get a really smooth surface especially over large area and in general will make manipulation of the green stuff easier. However it will also make it very difficult to get to the green stuff to stick to any surfaces and you will need to wash you model before painting.
I also use water, while this is more difficult to get a smooth surface with you have more control over the putty, you also don't have to worry about washing your model as the water will evaporate.
I've also recently been introduced to some different water based lubricants you can purchase, these also work well and you won't need to wash your model. Lastly green stuffnever sets completly hard there will always be some play in it.
Tools:
As with any part of the hobby the quality of the tools you use affects the quality of the finished product. With sculpting its very important to have smooth sharp tools any imperfections in the surface of your tools will be replicated on your model. The GW sculpting tool is a good start, but to progress further I would recommend getting a selection of hardened stainless steel sculpting tools and picks. Other items such as sharpened match sticks cocktail sticks and pins may be useful, as you gain experience your selection of tools will increase.
Another tool of use are clay shapers available from good hobby stores. Similar to a paint brush but with a rubber or silicone point replacing the brush head. They are great for smoothing awaymarks in your greens tuff.
