Sculpture equipment and tools

Sculpture equipment and tools

Here is an explanation of equipment and tools for sculpting for comfortable work and achieving the desired accuracy in details and the desired texture in the texture of a clay sculpture, with various design tools.

Equipment and tools for sculpting in different materials are used for the work process, design and finishing of the sculpture. The various tools make it possible to achieve the desired precision in the details and to give the desired texture to the texture of the sculpture.

"When we moved from Ukraine to Israel, I wanted to urgently buy professional sculpting tools, since in the past I was content with working with tools I made myself. We had no means for that and my wife told me: 'If you want to do something, you will do it with a single nail, and if not, then No professional tool will help. "I agreed with her.

Of course, the most important tool is - the will. In addition, two hands and a heart full of passion for art are required. Beyond that, a number of pointed wooden sticks will not interfere in various ways, a loop of iron wire, a knife, a strong wire, a pair of brushes and other trifles that can be found in every home. In the future, some more sophisticated tools may be needed, but you can easily get by with it. The main thing is to start. "

Alexander Cherkov, from the book Introduction to the World of Art "Sculpture, painting, drawing and more"

Explanation of equipment and tools for sculpture

Details and textures design tools
Various tools with different profiles made of wood or hard plastic are useful for designing small details and different textures on the surface of the sculpture. Such tools are useful for sculpture bCeramic clay, Clay Dry, plasticine וPolymer clay.

Sculpture equipment and tools

A rubber brush
A brush with a head made of rubber, comes in different profiles and is easy to clean. Used as a tool for designing small details in ceramic clay sculpture. A rubber brush can also be used as a sculpture tool in fresh paints and various other techniques in painting In oil paints And acrylic paints.

A rubber brush

Dotting tool
Dotting tool Holder of a spherical metal head of various sizes is mainly used for painting mandala dots, but is convenient for creating dots at different depths and sizes also on top of a ceramic clay sculpture, dry clay, polymer clay and plasticine. Jumbo Dotting Tool Useful in sculpting to create rounded surfaces such as leaves and petals.

Metal utensils
Design tools made of metal are used for precision small details in sculpture in ceramic clay, dry clay, plasticine and polymer clay. For example details in the form Eye In the head of a person.

Emptying tool
An emptying tool is used to design spaces in the body of the sculpture from ceramic clay, for example the space between the hand and the body In human body sculpting. Additionally, In preparing a statue for burning In a special ceramic oven, emptying tools can be used to empty the sculpture to the desired thickness depending on the size of the drop in it.

Sculpture equipment and tools

Wooden and aluminum accessories
These aids are used to smooth the surface of the sculpture from ceramic clay. It is recommended to spray with water spray before skating. In addition, they can be used to cut clay. Can also be useful in paper pulp sculpture.

sponge
A sponge (usually round) is used to smooth the surface and create different textures on the surface of the ceramic clay or dry clay sculpture. The sponge can be used when it is dry or wet. 

Sculpture work surface
In sculpting from any material, it is recommended to sculpt on a stable work surface. A wooden board with a Formica coating or is recommended Plexiglas surface או PVC And not a natural wood surface on which mold has formed over time.

Swivel sculpting wheel
It is recommended to place a stable spinning wheel under the work surface, for easier circumferential work on the sculpture. The wheel allows the sculptor to stay in place and quickly change the angle of view and work on the sculpture. Very easy to work with large-scale sculptures that weigh a lot. For small sculptures a spinning wheel with a small diameter can be used.

Sculpture wheel

Cutting thread
Strong cutting thread used for easy cutting of the ceramic clay into pieces of the desired size. Hold the wire on both sides and pull it while wrapping the clay on the other side. In addition, when finishing the work on the sculpture, a cutting wire can be used to separate the sculpture from the work surface.

rolling pin
הrolling pin Allows the material to roll to a flat surface of the desired thickness. Hold the rolling pin on both sides and roll it back and forth over the clay surface. Useful for sculpting in ceramic clay, dry clay, plasticine and polymer clay.

Sculpture equipment and tools

Skewers
Wooden skewers are used to support the sculpture, in sculpture for height, such as Human head, Or in sculpting relatively narrow details, such as branches. Because a statue is made Ceramic clay Shrinks when it dries, care must be taken to place it inside the sculpture, so that it does not stand out during the drying process. Wooden skewers burn during Burning of the statue In a ceramic oven. You can also use skewers with Dry clay that dries in air.

Sculpture equipment and tools

Styrofoam
Styrofoam pieces are used to support the sculpture, to sculpt in height or to sculpt relatively narrow details, such as branches or hands. The supporting styrofoam is left until the sculpture enters the oven, after burning no support will be needed.

Sculpture equipment and tools

Water spray
In the process of working on a statue Ceramic clay או Clay Dry, The clay tends to dry out and can be easily wetted with the help of water spray for continued efficient work. In addition, the sculpture can be wetted and the surface smoothed with the help of suitable design tools.

Cover fabric and nylon wrapper
Or want to take a break in the process of working on the sculpture from ceramic clay or dry clay, to continue working on it later you have to cover it with a wet cloth and cover it with opaque plastic. For slow drying of a finished sculpture it is recommended to cover with plastic partially.

plastic glue 
After finishing work on a made sculpture Ceramic clay And drying, recommended Perform a fire If possible, or cover with a layer of glue with a brush to preserve the sculpture.

Sculpture construction
A supportive structure can be used to sculpt complex compositions or those that are difficult to stabilize without an internal skeleton. Construction can be made of metal and electrical wires, pipe sections (for large sculptures) and even foil.

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