In recent years, hobbies associated with the creation of something with their own hands have gained special popularity. One of the leading positions among them is the master class on the modeling.
In our article we will analyze the main subtleties of this process, the features of classes and much more.
Polymer clay - what is it?
Many perceive the modeling like a lesson for children, which develops a small motility of hands, fantasy and creative abilities.
However, such a judgment is in the root incorrect, even biased. In childhood, almost all the kids get a lot of pleasure from working with plasticine.
The material is a malleable, elastic, and therefore the child not only from a creative point of view is interesting, but also tactile, it is physically pleasant to have an impact on it.
The next stage of the development of the modeling can be considered polymer clay. The polymer clay was removed was a German master of handmade dolls.
Looking at the master class on the modeling of polymer clay, you can notice how plastic it is, and in this parameter it is very superior to simple plasticine.
What you do not feel, so it is herbal aroma, very specific. It appears due to the addition of plasticizers, which make polymer clay so milly in the hands of the wizard.
Types of clay
The polymer clay is divided into 2 large categories that are based on its properties.
The first category was clay that needs thermal processing, as its traditional analogue used in ceramics.
The second category is more suitable for non-professional, home, use, because it is not necessary for thermal processing - it freezes it alone.
The first type of clay is mainly used by professionals and lovers whose skills are above average.
It is more complicated to work with thermoplastic, but using it you can make the most complex figures, and this concerns and detail.
Thermal processing passes quickly enough, but strongly depends on the size of the figure.
On the other hand, a self-qualifying clay. It is much easier to work with it, and an additional heat treatment equipment is not required.
For drying it is enough to put the product in the sun and wait. To wait, however, you will need quite a lot, because it often leaves for it more than a day.
Features of clay
We all know that the plasticine is also good and because it is suitable for repeated use. All because plasticine solidifies, relatively, of course, when cooled - in childhood, I think everyone put the crafts into the fridge, so that they become stronger.
At the same time, when heated plasticine returns its elastic properties, and therefore it is again suitable for use. In this case, between the stages itself, the figure does not change in size.
But the polymer modeling in this case is significantly different. The speech now is not about the process of creating a figure, but about its subsequent processing.
The thing is that the clay becomes durable when the percentage of moisture is much dropped - she simply dries. It is excellent familiar to people who were engaged in ceramics, and for greater elasticity, some water in clay was added.
Water occupies a certain part of the figure of the figure, which means when drying, the product becomes a little, but less. Along the way, the texture of the surface can change - irregularities and small defects appear.
Therefore, polymer clay figures need additional processing with the same file or emery paper.
On the other hand, it turns out really durable material that can be drilled if necessary.
Such features caused the need for polymer clay in a special place for storage.
Closed, preferably hermetically, packaging with polymer clay, should be stored in a dark place with a low temperature.
What can be made of clay
If you came to the master class modeling clay for beginners, then the most simple crafts will be the first for you.
In many ways they will remind what you in childhood did from plasticine. It is necessary for the fact that you are accustomed to the material to how he behaves in your hands, to all the work stages.
That is why it is so important to finish the first job, even if in creative terms it will be very simple.
Do not forget that the polymer clay invented a woman who made handmade dolls. This is the best proof that the polymer clay is great for complex projects.
With the development of your skills, you will start making more complex work. To begin with, it will be good for creating simple dishes, figurines, animal figures.
Later you can increase the level of detailing and accuracy of proportions. At this stage, you will start making jewelry or even detailed dolls.
Tools for modeling
Naturally, the main tool will be hands, but they will be enough for the simplest and coarse forms. Large detail will be achieved using catter, clay rolling, toothpicks.
For additional processing it is worth using sandpaper, dense fabric, such as suede, file.
Separate parts can be copping with each other with simple PVA glue, another adhesive base or physical bond after drilling.
Search for ideas
Not all people have equally developed fantasy. To begin with, it will be good if you are sculpting from clay base figures, which may be similar to the child's work.
Next, with the development of skills, you can search for interesting ideas on the Internet or thematic journals. In this case, you will have a huge selection in terms of direction, forms, subjects, detail.
There is nothing wrong with keeping photos on the phone, tablet, laptop, and then look at them while working. In addition, the modeling can be engaged in video lessons. The main thing is that the process brings pleasure.
Photo of master classes on the modeling
