Discover the different types of sculpting clay with distinct characteristics that you need to get familiar with if you’re interested in learning the fine art of clay sculpting.
Sculpting is one of the greatest forms of fine art. It gives you an opportunity to bring your idea to life. The solid form of a sculpture helps in delivering your idea and concept in a stronger way so that your message is heard by masses.
Sculptures are representational. They are a perfect way to take the idea that’s in your head and move it to a physical, tangible space. In addition, they are a perfect addition to any empty space. Sculptures are a powerful form of art, which is why you are most likely to find the greatest sculptures in well-known palaces and ancient, cultural heritage sites. Even today, if you wish to add a touch of elegance, power, and formality to any interior, having sculptures included in the décor is the most promising way of achieving all of that.
Table of Contents
Types of Sculpting Clay
All clay types have different characteristics. The different types of sculpting clay have been listed below.
1. Water-Based Clay
As the name indicates, water-based clay is clay mixed with water. It is inexpensive and quite easy to work with. Water-based clay dries out fast as the water content evaporates. The fast-drying of water-based clay is one of the features that make it popular.
Air-Dry Clay
Air-dry clay is usually water-based clay. As you can tell by the name, air-dry clay can be dried using the air around you, and it does not need to be kiln-fired. It cures in air, without the need for exposing the sculptures made with this type of clay to high temperatures.
Air-dry clay is commonly used as modeling clay. The time taken for the clay model or sculpture to dry completely depends upon the thickness of the prepared item. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a week to dry thoroughly.
The best thing about using air-dry clay for your sculpting project is that you don’t need any special sculpting tools. A simple rolling pin and a knife are all you will need to get the project done. Moreover, it can be colored with acrylic paints, tempera, inks, and marker pens.
Air-dry clay offers a lot of space to try different things. Rubber stamps leave a fairly deep and a prominent impression on air-dry clay.
2. Oil-Based Clay
Oil-based clays are made of a combination of oils, waxes, and clay minerals. The primary benefit of oil-base clay over water-based clay is that it will not dry out even when placed uncovered in dry conditions. Items or sculptures that are made with oil-based clay are not ceramics as they cannot be fired.
Since oil-based clay contains oil, its malleability is affected by the temperature. The viscosity of the oils varies with temperature, and therefore, by increasing or decreasing the temperature, you can alter the consistency of the clay, and hence, its malleability.
Oil-based clay is most popular with animation artists (used in Claymation) because it can be re-used, and hence, allows for its bending and moving.
If you wish to make silicone molds, you have to use clay that does not contain sulfur. Sulfur-free varieties of oil-based clays are available easily.
3. Dough Clay
Another type of clay that is used for modeling is dough clay (popular as PlayDough). Dough clay can be made at home using basic ingredients such as oil, water, cornstarch, flour, and cream of tartar. It can be dyed in a color of your choice with the help of food color.
It is one of the least expensive types of clay that are used to make sculptures and models. However, their use is limited to children and for making temporary structures as this type of clay cracks upon drying. This makes it unsuitable to be made into lasting items and sculptures. If you wish to preserve the form of a sculpture you made using dough clay, you can do that by simply baking the sculpture in an oven.
4. Ceramic Clay
Ceramics are made of clay that has been baked or heated to attain a permanent shape. Pottery clay contains only clay, while ceramic clay contains other materials along with the clay itself.
