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A bust of the sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, by Auguste Rodin (1882). Terracotta,

originally modelled in clay.

Giant clay sculptures in Caruaru (Brazil).

Roses and seashells made of Paperclay (DECO)

 Industrial clay: a clay model of a BMW

Modelling clay is any of a group of malleable substances used in building and sculpting.
The material compositions and production processes vary considerably.[1]

Contents

 1Ceramic clay
 2Oil-based clay
 3Polymer clay
 4Paper clay
 5See also
 6References

Ceramic clay[edit]
Ceramic clays are water-based substances made from clay minerals and other raw
materials.[2] They are baked at high temperatures in a process known as firing to
create ceramics, such as terra cotta, earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Paper
clay produced by pottery clay manufacturers is a clay body to which a small percentage
of processed cellulose fiber has been added. When kiln-fired, the paper burns out,
leaving the clay body. Consequently, the firing temperatures and glazes selection should
be the same on those used with the clay body.

Oil-based clay[edit]
Oil-based clays are made from various combinations of oils, waxes, and clay minerals.
Because the oils do not evaporate like water, oil-based clays remain malleable even
when left in dry environments for long periods. Articles made from oil-based clays cannot
be fired, and thus are not ceramics. Because rising temperature decreases oil viscosity,
the malleability is influenced by heating or cooling the clay. Oil-based clay is not water-
soluble. As it can be re-used, it is a popular material for animation artists who need to
bend and move their models. It is available in a multitude of colors and is non-toxic.
Readily worked in fine detail, oil-based clays are also suitable for the creation of detailed
sculptures from which molds can be made. Castings and reproductions can then be
produced from much more durable materials. Cars and airplanes may be created using
industrial design-grade modelling clay.
Oil-based clays are referred to by a number of genericized trademarks.

 Plastilin (or Plasteline), which was patented in Germany by Franz Kolb in 1880, was
developed by Claude Chavant in 1892 and trademarked in 1927.[3]

 Plasticine was invented in 1897 by William Harbutt of Bathampton, England.

  Plastilina is trademarked as Roma Plastilina by Sculpture House, Inc. According to
their website, their formula is 100 years old. Roma Plastilina contains sulfur, and
since certain moldmaking compounds do not set in sulfur's presence, making molds
of items made of industrial plasticine is difficult.

Polymer clay[edit]
Main article: Polymer clay
Polymer clay is a modelling material that cures when heated from 129 to 135 °C (265 to
275 °F) for 15 minutes per 6 millimetres (1⁄4 in) of thickness, and does not significantly
shrink or change shape during the process. Despite being called "clay", it generally
contains no clay minerals. Polymer clay is sold in craft, hobby, and art stores, and is used
by artists, hobbyists, and children. Polymer clay is also popular in animation, since it
allows static forms to be manipulated frame after frame. Leading brands of polymer clay
include Fimo, Kato Polyclay, Sculpey, Modello and Crafty Argentina.

Paper clay[edit]
Main article: Paper clay
Paper clay is handmade or commercially available clay to which a small percentage of
processed cellulose fiber is added. The fiber increases the tensile strength of the dry clay
and enables dry-to-dry and wet-to-dry joins. Commercial paper clays air-dry to a firm,
lightweight sculpture, with minimal shrinking during the drying process.[4]
Paper clay can be used as an unfired body in craft and doll-making. It is used in ceramic
art studios as sculptural and functional studio pottery.

See also[edit]
 Papier-mâché, rigid-setting construction material made of paper and a wet paste.
 Salt dough, used for modelling (such as Play-Doh).
 Clay (industrial plasticine)
 Plasticine
 Paper clay

References[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Clay
(sculpture).

1. ^ Putman, Brenda, ‘’The Sculptor’s Way: A Guide to Modelling and Sculpture’’, Farrar &
Rinehart, Inc, New York, 1939 p.8
2. ^ Bergaya, F.; Lagaly, G. (2013). Handbook of clay science (2nd edition. ed.).
Amsterdam: Elsevier. p. 453. ISBN 0080993710. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
3. ^ "Plasteline". sculpturetools.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008.
4. ^ Hay, G. (2006). "A Paperclay Update". Ceramics Technical. pp. 39–40. Retrieved 23
March 2018.
Categories:
 Craft materials
 Sculpture materials