F.A.Q.s: Sculpture

• What protective equipment do I need for sculpture?
  
• What tools do I need for carving wood or stone?
  
• What kinds of sculptures can be placed outdoors?
  
• Which clay is best for sculpture?
  
• What exactly is “Sculpey”? How does it differ from other oven-hardening clays?
  

Q: What protective equipment do I need for sculpture?
A: Regardless of the materials and techniques involved, eye protection should always be available when working with tools and potentially hazardous materials. Invest in some good safety goggles; consider purchasing a face shield, as well. For working with materials that produce airborne particles such as stone, plaster and clay, filter respirators are a necessity. When using materials that produce fumes, a chemical filter respirator may be required and should be selected appropriately for the materials you're using. Plastic or rubber gloves should also be available for working with materials that can be irritating or caustic, with the proper type of glove paired appropriately with materials used. Remember, the best protection starts with a good understanding of materials and processes, so read all package instructions carefully before working with new materials or tools.

Q: What tools do I need for carving wood or stone?
A: For all carving techniques, purchase adequate protective equipment including gloves, respirator filters and safety goggles.
Utrecht offers a wide selection of points, chisels and rasps for carving stone. The bulk of carving is done using pointed chisels, which should be kept sharpened with a file. Mushroomed striking ends of chisels should be filed down to prevent loose slivers from being struck and causing eye damage. Damage to chisels can be minimized by using a soft iron mallet instead of steel hammers. Rasps of various shapes and sizes are used for smoothing and shaping rough work. To keep rasps in good condition, push the tool only in the cutting direction, and avoid pulling backwards. Use the pointed chisel to remove any deposits of quartz from the stone, as these can dull or break the teeth of the rasp.
Wood carving requires chisels and gouges of various sizes as well as rasps and files for finishing. Wood chisels are struck with a wooden mallet which prevents damage to handles and minimizes shock to the hands. It's especially important to keep wood carving tools sharp each day, because dull tools can slip, causing injury. Back to Top.

Q: What kinds of sculptures can be placed outdoors?
A: Cement and cast resin sculptures are usually durable outdoors, but ordinary plaster is not. Carved sculptures in soapstone can be placed outdoors, but alabaster will degrade with exposure to the elements. Never place alabaster sculptures underwater, especially in an aquarium! Back to Top.

Q: Which clay is best for sculpture?
A: The best choice of clay depends on your intended use. For ceramic sculpture that will be fired in a kiln, white clay sold especially for sculpture is formulated for minimal shrinkage and less possibility of holding air pockets which can cause damage in firing, but is less elastic than clay intended for wheel throwing. For sculptures to be cast in plaster or cement, terra cotta is an excellent choice. It allows good detail and is easy to remove from a plaster mold if not allowed to dry out. Roma Plastilina is best for casting where a long working time is desired, as it does not air dry. Plastilina is more difficult to remove from a mold than ceramic clay which dissolves in water, but plastilina holds metal shims easily for multiple piece molds. Back to Top.

Q: What exactly is “Sculpey”? How does it differ from other oven-hardening clays?
A: Sculpey (Item No: 43949) is a Polymer Clay, an acrylic-based sculpture and modeling material that can be hardened in a home oven, or in boiling water for small pieces. Traditional oven-hardening clay requires the piece be completely dry before “firing”; no armature could be left in the model, as shrinkage would cause cracking. Polymer clay does not shrink, so armature materials can remain in the model during baking, as long as they will not melt or burn. Polymer clay will stay soft indefinitely until fired. Back to Top.

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