Material for sculpting small figurines

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable material with which I can sculpt small figurines ranging from 1/2 to 1 inch high. Note, these will be one of a kind - I am not planning to replicate any.

Requirements:

1. Must be non-toxic - both working and when hardened - I realize that I should not put sculptures of any kind in my mouth

2. Must be able to harden (or self hardening) (By the way, I do not need a 'lot' of working time - probably an hour or so, in case that makes a difference.)

3. Once hardened, it must be 'workable' in the sense that it can be sanded, drilled and, preferrable scribed/carved.

4. Must be paintable once hardened (I currently use acrylics, but could use any paint).

Any stuff like this on earth?

Thanks!

- MonkeyBoy

There are many people modelling figures in epoxy putties, etc., and magazines and websites such as Modeler's Resource cover that well. This material and the oven fired putty like sculpey would appear to meet your needs, but I think the size/scale you are working in is more the work of a jeweller, and you should be thinking of, and getting used to, modelling in wax. You may find that these skills and materials will be much more useful over a lifetime of work. Try the website, order a catalog from, www.riogrande.com. Try some videos, take a course. Of course the wax cannot be painted - but one time casts in metal are very much a possibility for the careful beginner, and they are easily painted or polished or bright plated or antiqued or make really cool fishing lures.

Check out these NG's they are very helpful to newbies.

rec.games.miniatures.historical rec.games.miniatures.warhammer rec.games.miniatures.misc

Good luck

Thanks for the info. I'll check those out.

If this isn't a one off, you might consider joining 1ListSculpting, a Yahoo egroup. Thir FAQ has loads of info.

Sculptures that size are colloquially known as 'minis'.

However, materials mosty commonly used are:-

'Kneadatite' known as 'Green Stuff', an epoxy putty goes off in about 2hours dependant on room temp. Can be accelerated by warming. Has consistency of chewing gum, has some recoil to allow for and tends to 'round' sharp edges. You need to use something like vaseline to lubricate tools when working with it as it tends to stick to tools. Can be cut when cured but sanding and scraping needs a very softly softly approach or it will 'shred'. It is like a hard rubber when cured. 'Non toxic'. About 10$ for a 36 inch strip. (two inches should do a 25mm mini)

'Brown Stuff' by the same company is similar but cures to a much harder and more workable consistency but is a lot more expensive. I have not seen any claims for toxicity. People mix both types together.

'White Stuff' by the same company is being pushed by the likes of GW, but a lot of pros don't seem convinced yet.

The above all have the additional advantage of keeping casters happy, since they usually survive vulcanisation.

Milliput, different company, many minis sculptors prefer since it is virtually clay-like to work, Sharp edges are retained, and can even be slurried. It is epoxy and goes off in about 2hours. When cured it is very workable, can be cut sawn, sanded and scraped. It is alleged to be carcinogenic but I have seen no data to support that. Precautions are the safer option. It is a bit on the brittle side when cured. Many sculptors mix it with GS to suite. It tends to disintegrate when vulcanised so casters do not like it. However, the milliput/GS mixes seem to be OK.

A&B Epoxy Putty. Similar to milliput. Sets harder yet seems to be stronger. There is a slight granularity to it compared to milliput but still capable of fine detail. It's better at not sticking to tools and no lube is required, but it still manages to stick to cured. No info on toxicity. One castor said it survives vulcanisation. It's probably the cheapest epoxy.

Polymer clays. Like 'Fimo' or 'Super Sculpey'. These are not used that much by minis sculptors, many say small detail is difficult due to filler grain size. However at least one major minis house uses it (the French company Rackham). It is oven bake to cureability. It does not survive normal vulcanisation and resin sub-masters are required to make production molds.

Since there are multiple on-line suppliers I haven't named any. Google or such should readily throw them up, but there is a list in 1ListSculpting.

All require armature support even at the minis scale.

regards

I recommend Green stuff eassy to handle,, You can see at my site:

www.iventicsculpt.page.tl
or http://www.flickr.com/photos/25980758@N04/

There is a material at www.sculpt.com called "Magic Sculpt" heres the info with it.



Need a material for direct sculpting?

Need a block of workable materials for a sculpture?
Need a filler for another medium?

Need to attach two objects with an exact buffer?
Need to repair a hole in just about anything?
Need to cast a part from a rigid or rubber mold?
Need to create a smooth or textured surface?
Need to make additions on an existing shape?
Need to increase the thickness or strength of another material?
Need to rethread a bolt or to fill a screw hole?

MAGIC-SCULPT!!!
Professionals and hobbyists are thrilled by the features of this amazing product. It is very pliable in its mixed form, has excellent adhesion, cleans up easily with soap and water, and will cure to a hard, solid finish that can be painted, sanded or ground.


Magic-Sculpt serves so many purposes it eliminates many of the different formulas cluttering your workspace. And, with its indefinite shelf life, you do not need to worry about whether you have enough of this or that, just keep a stock of Magic-Sculpt sitting on your countertop.


Working with Magic-Sculpt
Magic-Sculpt is a two part epoxy putty that comes in two containers, (as seen above) one resin and one hardener. Magic-Sculpt is mixed 1 to 1 by volume in small quantities as you need it. Almost anything can be used as an armature, such as; armature wire, metal mesh, styrofoam, wood and balled up tin foil.

Once you have completely mixed the two components, you have about 45min to 1hr of working time (depending on the temperature in your workspace, cold = longer working time, hot = shorter working time) Magic-Sculpt will cure fully overnight to a rock hard finish that is easily painted.

Dip your hands in water while mixing if the Magic-Sculpt becomes sticky. Wash hands between mixes to keep it from sticking to your hands. Gloves are not necessary but will keep the Magic-Sculpt from underneath your fingernails and cut out fingerprints on finished works. The surface of your Magic-Sculpt sculpture can be smoothed with water before it cures.

and here's what you can do with it.

There is a material at www.sculpt.com called "Magic Sculpt" heres the info with it.



Need a material for direct sculpting?

Need a block of workable materials for a sculpture?
Need a filler for another medium?

Need to attach two objects with an exact buffer?
Need to repair a hole in just about anything?
Need to cast a part from a rigid or rubber mold?
Need to create a smooth or textured surface?
Need to make additions on an existing shape?
Need to increase the thickness or strength of another material?
Need to rethread a bolt or to fill a screw hole?

MAGIC-SCULPT!!!
Professionals and hobbyists are thrilled by the features of this amazing product. It is very pliable in its mixed form, has excellent adhesion, cleans up easily with soap and water, and will cure to a hard, solid finish that can be painted, sanded or ground.


Magic-Sculpt serves so many purposes it eliminates many of the different formulas cluttering your workspace. And, with its indefinite shelf life, you do not need to worry about whether you have enough of this or that, just keep a stock of Magic-Sculpt sitting on your countertop.


Working with Magic-Sculpt
Magic-Sculpt is a two part epoxy putty that comes in two containers, (as seen above) one resin and one hardener. Magic-Sculpt is mixed 1 to 1 by volume in small quantities as you need it. Almost anything can be used as an armature, such as; armature wire, metal mesh, styrofoam, wood and balled up tin foil.

Once you have completely mixed the two components, you have about 45min to 1hr of working time (depending on the temperature in your workspace, cold = longer working time, hot = shorter working time) Magic-Sculpt will cure fully overnight to a rock hard finish that is easily painted.

Dip your hands in water while mixing if the Magic-Sculpt becomes sticky. Wash hands between mixes to keep it from sticking to your hands. Gloves are not necessary but will keep the Magic-Sculpt from underneath your fingernails and cut out fingerprints on finished works. The surface of your Magic-Sculpt sculpture can be smoothed with water before it cures.

and here's what you can do with it.