Question That Needs To Be Answered

[🪦 gmyers ●]

Ok...let me make sure I have this straight guys. I\'m beginning my scuplting process. I\'m using roma #2 clay, should I unharden it a bit using the microwave, right? Than on my head armature from mm, should I cut off the nose and ears if I decide to do a jason from pt. 7 and all? And is there any certain method to put the clay on. Add the clay should be about 2 inches thick right? Thanks guys

[🪦 fiend52 ●]

cut off the nose and ears to make a part 7...hmm..not sure.
can someone give him an answer instead of just bitching. sheesh!!

[🪦 gmyers ●]

Alright sorry if i was an *** before the shape. But could you guys just answer the question thanks! And i looked at all the mask making threads and never saw this question questioned lol, thanks.

[THE_SHAPE]

punk...

[🪦 null1 ●]

SHAPE, chill...

Greg, leave the nose and ears. You want to sculpture over them, so just bulk it out.
Cut the clay into 1/2 inch slabs (think of a sliced bread loaf) and stick them all in the microwave. Maybe 30-40 seconds. When you put the clay in there, it heats it from the inside out. It can/will turn into molten lava on the inside if you nuke it too long. You dont need to treat the bust with anything, just put the clay right on it.

[GBeninati]

put a chunk of clay in the microwave, about the size of your fist or bigger
then zap it for 1-2 minutes...closer to 1 minute
after you zap it knead it together with yourhands to get it consistently soft
[color=\"red\"]IF YOU ZAP IT TOO LONG SOME OF IT WILL LIQUIFY AND BURN YOU!![/color]

after you do this you can either pull of tiny pieces of clay and push them onto the armature piece by piece, or what I like to do is stick the whole large piece on the armature and mash it into place with a rubber or plastic mallett...this seems to save alot of time.

as far as cutting the head off yoru armature it is really not neccessary
old armatures used to be alot worste. what you may want to do is build the top of the head a couple inches, then not build too much thickness off of the neck or the tops of the shoulders(maybe 1/4 inch)
the only problem this gives you is that you have to raise the mouth eyes and nose up a bit to make up for it.
I would reccomend cutting off the ears, they are not needed and complicate things when trying to remove the clay from the mold ( usually end up breaking off anyway)
hope this helps
G

[🪦 gmyers ●]

Thanks Mark and gbeniti (forget the whole thing lol)!!! Mark if i have any problems tonight, i\'ll call you after 9, ok? THanks!

[GBeninati]

yeah I was explaining how to do it with used clay, if the clay is covered with clear coat it is more important to knead it together and mix in all the clear coat.
if you are using new clay you can just cut it inot slabs
I ssaid cut the ears of because if it gets stuck in the mold I usually like to cut the clay between the mold walls and the armature and the ears get in the wway if you want to do so...
yeah listen to mark, what do I know :lol:

[🪦 null1 ●]

It IS ok to cut the ears. However, being new to sculpting, I say leave them on just so you know where they go and youre able to bulk it out enough so that it can be worn. Yeah, give me a call tonight if ya need to

[🪦 gmyers ●]

Alright thanks Mark. I\'m putting on the clay right now. Some of my finger inprints are in the clay from putting it on, how do I make the clay smooth and loose the imprints? By the way, I only did about 1/3 of an inch of clay onto lol.....gotta long way to go.