Sculpting is one of the oldest fine art forms and is a way to bring an idea to life in a 3D model. A sculpture can oftentimes be more moving than a piece of 2D art because we live in a three-dimensional world. Seeing a sculpture of an important historical figure can really bring that person to life versus seeing a flat canvas portrait of them. Observing the details of their face such as how far their nose sticks out, or their strong jawline can give dimension to people who have been gone for centuries. Sculptures can be made from a number of different materials such as stone, wood, marble, and even clay.
Clay sculptures are the most accessible and workable for new artists looking to get into sculpting. Unlike a material such as marble, clay is a very forgiving medium and is able to be worked and reworked in case of mistakes or changes that wish to be made. Finding the type of clay that will work best for your art project is important, so it is imperative that you know what each type does.
Types of Sculpting Clay
There are many different types of sculpting clay out there and each serves its own purpose. The type of clay that you go for depends on your desired result. If you want smaller pieces of art such as jewelry or mini-figures, it is best to use Polymer clay. If you plan to create larger sculptures is it best to work with an oil-based clay that won’t dry out.
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is clay that is based on polyvinyl chloride. Polymer clay has similar properties to ceramic clay but is much more flexible and easier to use. It is a great clay for beginners since it is so easily malleable and can be baked in pretty much any oven. It can also be buffed, sanded, carved, and painted after it is baked making the possibilities endless for artistic creation.
Oil-Based Clay
Oil-based clay is great for large sculptures since it does not dry out and can be worked on for long periods of time. It is very pliable and smooth and can be reused indefinitely; some can even be re-melted. Oil-based clay is less prone to cracking and an artist can achieve even the smallest details because of this. This type of clay should not be baked but should be used for molding and modeling. Oil-based clay is a great way to create a silicon mold of a large piece and be able to recreate that piece as many times as desired.
Where to Find Sculpting Clay
Firefly Art Supplies has all types of clay that are perfect for different types of sculptures. Regardless of what you’re planning to create, fireflyart.supplies has all the polymer and oil-based clay you need with tools, paint, and other supplies coming soon to help you create your masterpiece! Waste no time looking at other stores because there is no guarantee that they will have exactly what you need. Check out Firefly Art Supplies today!
