Thread: HELP with clay problem

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Ok, so I started Malachai by putting a small amount of celuclay on the Styrofoam wig head then covering with natural clay. Now I knew that the clay shrinks as it dries, so I watched for cracks and patch them with clay and water. So I get up this morning and the cracks are catastrophic. They even pulled up the celuclay. Any thoughts on how to correct this. Worse case scenario, I start over (REALLY don't want to) with a different method, but would like to try and save this first.

Hello Brimston3..Such a nice piece for something like this to happen to... Maybe try some DAS.. Das is a cheap modeling clay that blends extrememly well. Especially with a little water. If it were mine, I would maybe try to push some of the parts back in place and then fill it in with the das. The das will seal the cracks perfectly.

Rob

Oh man! I wish I knew something of clay to help you out with this! Sorry, it's one of the few subjects I really don't know anything about.

Originally Posted by undead_october

Hello Brimston3..Such a nice piece for something like this to happen to... Maybe try some DAS.. Das is a cheap modeling clay that blends extrememly well. Especially with a little water. If it were mine, I would maybe try to push some of the parts back in place and then fill it in with the das. The das will seal the cracks perfectly.

Rob

I will look into it, know just where it is at Micheal's. Do you happen to know what the properties of the DAS is when it dries?

I've used some cheap 'natural clay' in the past with very poor results. I also did not want to start all over but didn't really have a choice.

DAS or Jovi work well, they have some cracking. Model Magic also works well, but cracks as well.

For small cracks you can use clay with wet fingers to smooth & blend in the cracks.

Good luck

Any Michaels or AC Moore will have DAS. It will be in the section with the other clays. When it dries, it does dry hard. However, not really like a ceramic or stone hard or finish. It is a bit lighter than that. However, since it does not dry with a stone like finish and is a bit porous, it is great for making flesh looking pieces.

Rob

I wish I knew how to work with clay. Your head looks great, but the large cracks are a problem.

If worst comes to worst, do you have to remove the styrofoam head? Could you patch it up and just keep the clay on the head form?

Good luck with the clay! I have used DAS before, it is indeed lightweight.