❓ Clay modeling: types, properties and use

Plastic clay is used to create all sorts of decorations. Demand as quite easily processed, it does not cause difficulties in the manufacture of handicrafts and accessories. Today's publication HouseChief edition devoted to the peculiarities of this material, as well as possible types and selection rules. And finally, we give a few recipes to help you create the raw material with their own hands.

What types of modeling clay

There are only two kinds of clay used for personal purposes in the home. Each mix has the individual properties. Therefore, we offer more detail consider options and the rules of their use for modeling.

polymer

Fairly common variant, which can be found in any store. Moreover, this raw material is easy to prepare on their own. This material excels in the arts and crafts, many children begin their work from that composition.

Baked clay and its properties

This type of material is considered one of the most durable and is used exclusively for pottery both adults and teenagers. However, such an embodiment the material may vary in texture, the presence of impurities and other components. So many varieties are designed for specific types of work. Despite its low cost, this type of clay with the right approach can become a masterpiece.

Self-hardening clay type

A property of this type of clay is its ability to harden without heat outdoors. By its nature, the material resembles the air plasticine, Except that the clay is always possible to soak in a timely manner. By resorting to this method, if you need something to correct. Most often, this raw material is used to create flat figures, accessories, magnets and other parts with low weight.

Natural Clay: What is the difference

Natural clay - it's the stuff that we can find in the ground, in other words, in outdoor environments. It usually does not contain impurities, and to work with her the most difficult, as there are no softeners and support staff. Creating accessories out of this piece of clay, you must have the skills to work with this material.

Color solutions for material

Clay is sold in special bags that retain its moisture, elasticity and tone. Paint the material with special dyes of different colors. For example, more bright colors are ideal for children's hobbies or copyright interesting handicrafts for sale.

With regard to natural shades, they are more often used for decorative purposes. Before you create the desired tone, the material is shifted and then add color. The most popular and demanded shades are:

• yellow;
• Violet;
• red;
• blue;
• Orange;
• blue;
• green;
• lime.

More muted or dark tone palette try to use in the work, as emphasized final color crafts.

Popular manufacturers of clay for creativity

Purchase material for maximum creativity already prepared for use, so it is not necessary to knead, the more paint it. However, not all brands that produce such raw materials have excellent quality. Therefore, be sure to check the list of the most prestigious manufacturers, who are responsible for its production.

Fleur

White Material viscous consistency. It excels at making small figures: figurines, key chains, magnets. The clay of this brand comes in small packages, but dries very quickly in the air. This type is easy to make very fine details, for example, flower petals or the wings of a butterfly.

Koh-i-Noor

This material can have a very unusual color, e.g., terracotta. Perfectly amenable to processing, rolling and carving. However, work with her to create the fine details of inconvenient. Raw material dries very fast, but does not tolerate contact with water, as there is surface cracking. After that, work with clay uncomfortable.

"Dreamer"

The material makes the Russian manufacturer. Clay is absolutely safe and easy to operate. It comprises a clay powder. However, subject to violations of storage regulations, hardening occurs almost instantly. Recovery is not subject to raw material.

Fimo classic Staedtler

This material represented as baked. Designed for adult work. Especially useful for those who are seriously engaged in sculpture and pottery. This clay is suitable for any kind of master classes, has a very broad palette of colors.

Polyform Product from Sculpey

One of the strong variants of raw material intended for manual molding crafts, various accessories and tableware. The finished product of such a clay is subject to baking at a temperature of 130 ° C, to be sanded without falling apart. The initial view - soft but durable material. To get an unusual color, it is not necessary to conduct a piece of painting, can be just two bars of the same composition to interconnect and thoroughly mixed.

Tips for Choosing a modeling clay

Before you proceed to the choice of clay for the home master class, you must carefully examine all the offers of the market, learn composition vending raw materials, decide whether the shade is suitable and, of course, whether the material is appropriate for the purpose for which purchased.

To create artistic products

If you plan to work on the potter's wheel, then we must pay attention to what is material. Usually, all the information on the package indicates. For example, for arts and crafts or sculptural craft, only to use a special material, it needs to be resilient, but elastic enough.

Do not forget the array of colors. Very often the result of incorrectly selected shade effect on the outcome of the work. Finished figure is too dark. Usually it is a fatal defect.

If used for fixing diy ovenIt is necessary to take into account the temperature, which can withstand the selected clay. Ask the seller if the information on the packaging available. Some material may be exposed to 1300 ° C, while others already begin to melt at 1000 ° C.

For beginners and children

Those who only starts to try themselves in art, you can opt for a simple material - polymer clay. In this case, you should prefer a material that dries quickly for small craft. As for the bulk of sculptures. Here is useful to the properties of the clay dries long.

In case you do creative work for the first time, you should give preference to color the clay. Since the first time painted crafts will be very difficult.

If you are going to purchase the material for molding the kids, it is important to monitor the composition. Clay for children's activities must be absolutely safe. Desirably, the liquid present in the mixture of softeners which render the material more functional during operation.

How should I store the material for molding

After buying or handwritten blanks, you must pay careful attention to the requirements for storage. Otherwise, the material will quickly lose their properties. Be sure to check a few simple recommendations.

1. Purchase clay is sold in a plastic package, respectively, and store it as you need it, in order to prevent drying out.
2. If you do not use up all the material, it is required to turn in plastic bag and keep in a closed form.
3. Do not store the clay in metal bowls, as over time the material can acquire toxic properties.
4. Do not leave raw materials for a long time in the water. If it will lie in this environment for several days, you will acquire an unpleasant (putrid) smell.
5. If self-mix to fill a large number of latex adhesive, that occur during prolonged storage cracking material.
6. If you need to store raw materials for molding a long time, it is advisable to carry out his billet in the summer and dry well in the open sun.

Children polymer clay, which has already been launched, must stored in a plastic bagAs it also has to harden the property, in connection with which change color.

On a note! To work with clay is necessary to have special tools. Blades and knives from plasticine set is not suitable for the job.

How to prepare clay for sculpting the house with his own hands

In most cases, home use clay with a polymer composition, so we will learn to cook it with their hands, to save money and create a natural remedy for creativity.

The first recipe: use of water, salt and flour

One the easiest way to prepare the material is considered quite fast and fun.

We need:

• flour - 1 cup;
• water - 1 cup;
• fine salt "Extra» - ½ st.

Cooking method:

1. Sol miscible with water until complete dissolution.
2. Add the flour and knead the dough.
3. Workpiece wrap in plastic wrap and put in fridge for six hours.
4. colorable if desired.

It can be used for modeling right away, but then the material will not be as viscous and elastic. Run tiny and too dense parts is difficult.

The second recipe: homemade artificial clay

According to this recipe you can prepare clay for sculpting in the amount of 350 g For manufacturing you will need:

• PVA glue - 1 cup;
• cornstarch - 1 cup;
• Vaseline - 1 tablespoon;
• hand cream - 1 tablespoon;
• lemon juice - 2 tablespoons;
• enamelware;
• plate, blade.

Cooking method:

1. Glue and starch mix together to form a uniform consistency.
2. Add the lemon juice and knead again carefully all. We verify the absence of lumps. All activities are conducted in an enamel pot.
3. Put the dough in a glass bowl and put in the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Then, all mix again and put them in the microwave for another half a minute.
5. Take a plate and carefully knead the clay, pre-coated with hand cream.
6. If the material after heating formed a crust, it must be removed with a blade.

Then the clay can be used for its intended purpose. It allowed her painting.

Third recipe: Cold Porcelain

Of this type of material is most often made the most unusual accessories. Some prefer even create jewelry and sell them. For the preparation of a "cold porcelain" will need:

• PVA glue and the moment of 1: 1 (approximately 350 g);
• cornstarch - 150 mg;
• citric acid - 1 tsp;
• glycerin - 1 tsp;
• plasticiser - 2 tablespoons;
• cream for hands or face.

Cooking method:

1. We collect in one container glue, glycerol, starch and citric acid. Stir well to avoid lumps;
2. put in microwave for 60 seconds, then mix everything;
3. We send in the microwave for 30 seconds longer, and after the third kneading for another 15 seconds.
4. At the end add the cream, then grease with Vaseline food film, and then send in fridge for a day.

After this time, the material can be used. This hardens the clay yourself with a long stay outdoors.

Which modeling technique used in the home

Young master often faced with the problem of preparation of some fragments of figures. To them did not arise, we have to be able to work with some manual molding techniques. These include cordlike on a potter's wheel.

modeling flagella

Perhaps one of the methods that are suitable for beginners. According to experts in the field of art, knotted technique remained unchanged even over time. With regard to its application among children, it is quite useful as a positive effect on fine motor skills and the formation of the central nervous system.

Using a potter's wheel

A technique that is used when working with a potter's wheel, quite a difficult and involves a few important points.

1. All movements should be carried out smoothly with the left and right hands at the same time.
2. When the range of the clay should always be seen between the hands.
3. In no case can not hold your breath, as this affects the veins pulsing in his hand;
4. The longer you work with the product, the faster it soak.

Try to sit at the work only in a good mood. The outcome of the final product positively influences the mood in the first place. More detailed modeling technique can be found in the above video below.

Dear readers, if you want something else to learn about clay for sculpting, but also have the personal secrets of its preparation, be sure to share your opinion under the article. We are happy to answer any questions and provide the necessary clues.