South Uk Based Master Chief Clay Sculpt

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update update update :) Getting there.

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Oh and the symmetry... its just a cast of looking, measuring, checking each side... in the end all you can do is eye it.

Would be nice to have this finished next week, we'll see.
 
Seriously, so very ridiculously fantastic and inspiring!! I can't believe how smooth you get the clay! Utterly amazing! A few questions, if you please...

We use 2 methods to smooth the clay. We use a lot of metal scrappers, keep scraping over the same spot from different directions again and again and again. Running your hands over the curve/surface to notice imperfections and problems.. more clay and more scrapping. Work the surfaces and the edges will fix themselves. Once your happy youve taken that method as far as it can go, we very lightly sponge (not brush) on a layer of White Spirit. This has the effect of melting the very top layer of clay smoothing it out more. Id only recommend doing this once you are happy with your sculpt.

By "metal scrapers" you just mean those flat metal things, right? How do you prevent the clay from smearing? Do you use some sort of lubricant? You say you use a lot of them... do you mean different sizes, or different types, or you change them out when too much clay accumulates on them? Do you use the edge or the flat surface, or both? Do you work the clay with the sponge while you apply the white spirit, or do you just leave it along and stop working it after that?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm at the smoothing stage in my own project (which was inspired by your work in the first place), and yours is just so masterful, I have to know how you do it!

Thanks much!!
 
We use oil based clay, ive talked about the clay a few times throughout this thread :)

Yes, by metal scrappers I mean these:

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/subdivisio...odelling+Tools&Subcategory=49&Subdivision=330

Whilst smoothing the clay you can smear a small amount. If it does, just wipe off the excess and continue to scrape the clay... push past it as they say :) No lubricant.
We currently have 2 scrapers at home, one slightly thicker rectangle one for starting off the surfaces and the flat shapes, and one thinner (straight edge on the bottom and rounded top) one for curved surfaces.. you can bend its edge to match the clays topogragpy much easier than with the thicker one.

We use the edge of the scrapper, not the flat surface. Once weve applied the white spirit we leave the sculpt. The white spirit is the final final thing before blowing on the silicone.

Hope thats helped!

More pics at the weekend.
 
Hey guys... just wanted to update saying we are stilll working very hard on this! Just haven't gotten around to taking any more pics. At this stage of a sculpt the subtle changes don't really show on photos anyway. Were off on holiday in 2 weeks and we won't be able to relax unless its finished before we go :) 2 weeks, no problem :)
 
Once weve applied the white spirit we leave the sculpt. The white spirit is the final final thing before blowing on the silicone.

Hope thats helped!

Yes, that helped immensely, thank you. How long do you let it sit after putting the white spirit before doing the silicone? I know you said "final final thing," but if there are streaks from applying it with the sponge, will they show up in the cast? How do you avoid them? Can they be polished off with a soft cloth or something, or are they just not worth worrying about? Also this isn't the first time I've heard you refer to "blowing on" the silicone... can you describe that process a bit? Your mold looks really interesting with those squares all over it... How do you make your registration keys? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I really hope to be half as good as you someday, so the insight into your methods is extremely valuable. Thanks so much!
 
Hey guys

We normally only leave the white spirit to 'dry' for about 10 mins before applying the silicone. Its normally 4 in the morning when we get to this point and we want to go to bed :D No seriously, white spirit wont effect your silicone... or at least we havent seen a reaction yet :)

Thats the main reason we use a sponge, you get the least streaks. Brushes will give you brush marks. When you first put on your spirit with a sponge you will get some marks, however a few minutes they should mostly all blend/melt out. Yeah youll be left with a few but I dont think it can ever be perfect.

We blow on the first layer of silicone for the same reason, if you brush it on you will get brush marks, plus you might not get it into every area. Blowing it in solves both these. We drip the silicone onto the sculpt, then using a bog standard drinking straw blow it around... and repeat. To make the keys we just set some silicone drying in a shallow plastic box, then cut it up once dry like you would a cake. Then stick them on with a small amount of silicone.

Thanks guys, yes I agree we should hurry up :) More pics. Sorry I havent posted more but the small changes we are making at the moment just dont make for interesting photos. We actually noticed quite a big error a few days ago... how we didnt notice it before ill never know, weve gone blind :) All fixed now.

Appologies for the rubbish photos, never get a chance to photograph it in the day light. Didnt help that it was dull and raining yesterday.

It probably doesnt look like much has changed but weve put a huge amount of work into this over the last few weeks, probably changed every part of it... slightly. Amazing how much detail is on this piece, and theres still more to go in. Especially the back! We couldnt believe the helmet could be any harder to make than the legs... wrong we couldnt believe the chest could be any harder to make than the helmet... wrong arms... simple? weve got our fingers crossed :)

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