How to Model Plasticine
Plasticine is a brand-name modelling clay that was invented over a hundred years ago. The clay is nontoxic, cheap and does not dry out, making it perfect for children to play with. Plasticine is easy to work with and holds its shape and color better than Play-Doh. It's great for modelling and has been used to create videos such as the "Wallace & Gromit" series. During animation, each clay character is moved and photographed and then the pictures are played together to give the impression of movement. Make your own Plasticine models for animation or just for fun.
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Instructions
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Work the Plasticine with your hands in order to make it malleable. Knead it and squeeze it until it softens and becomes easy to work with.
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Shape the clay with your fingers to make the model. You can shape pieces individually and then press them together. Rub your fingers over the point where the two pieces meet to join the clay together.
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Utilize tools to help you to shape the clay. Rolling pins and cookie cutters help to create flat shapes. Knives and scissors can be used to cut straight edges in the clay. Skewers are good for making holes and to scratch fine details into the clay. Any tools can be used to draw on, shape and cut the clay into the correct form.
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Use different colored clays to make features or mix the clay together to form new colors. For large models or models with thin necks and legs that cannot support the weight of the clay, make a frame first. Small models can be supported by skewers and toothpicks. If your model has thin legs, press toothpicks up through the bottom of the legs and into the body to help support the weight of your model. Life-size models require chicken wire frames.
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Tips & Warnings
For a textured surface, press the clay onto a fabric. Carpeting, corduroy and other fabrics will leave a texture on the surface of the clay.
To make an animated clip, create all your characters and place them in position. Take a photo with your digital camera. Move the characters a little and then take another picture. Continue to do so until you have moved the characters around. Use a movie software program to play the pictures like a movie so that it looks like your models are moving. Add sound and music.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
