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modelling clay

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  • 03-02-2015 12:48pm
    #1
    Winnie21
    Closed Accounts Posts: 77 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    Just wondering if anyone would be able to advise me on modelling clay...
    I am a beginner and I am interested in making pottery - will need to use air drying type clay as don't have proper equipment.

    Can anyone recommend best type/brand of clay to use?
    What paint would be suitable for decorating?
    What varnish would be suitable?

    For those who have done this - do you just paint and when dry, do you paint varnish over the paint? Or do you spray?

    All advise and tips welcome.

    Thanks everyone!
    Tagged:


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    #2
    callee
    Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭callee


    It depends on what you want to do.
    You can get large bags of generic air drying clay, maybe this is a good start as they are very cheap, not too easy to work with as they have a tendency to crack and its a bit difficult to attach parts together. It usually dries grey, although it is possible to get other colours. Going up in price you can but a soft white (also comes in other colours) air-drying clay usually in 1kg bags which is somewhat easier to work with. Then there are the well known polymer clays such a Fimo, Cernit etc, more expensive again but come in a variety of colours. Although these clays are considered safe to use some of them do contain phthalates. No air-dry clay is food safe as far as I'm aware. I have used acrylic paints on air-dry clay, poster paints are not ideal. Enamel paints can also be used. As for varnishes, I have used Nail varnish (it was all that was available), PVA glue, decopatch glues, mod podge and general decorating varnishes(cheaper than purpose made varnishes). Try some varnish on a small piece first, some have a yellowing effect which is useful if you want an aged look, some have a detrimental on particular types of clay resulting in a sludgey mess and not all varnish finishes are suitable for outdoor use.


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