420 Product guide Which modelling compound should I choose? Getting started For figures that don’t require curing We recommend choosing a soft modelling compound if the children will be the ones making the figures. These compounds are very easy to shape and are especially suitable for play and sensory stimulation for children. They’re so simple to use that all you need to decide is what design and finish you want to work with. Cheese wax, on the other hand, is better suited for older children and adults, as it requires heating before use. It is used for traditional modelling as well as for covering wire skeletons and frames. For figures and small decorative objects that harden at room temperature Modelling smaller figures really exercises those fine motor skills. So it’s a big help for children in particular if the modelling compound does not require too much working and kneading first, and if it can be easily attached to other materials. For a colourful look we recommend Clay (Silk Clay, Foam Clay etc.) products, which come in different textures. If you’re looking for a more traditional clay expression however, we recommend self-hardening clay. For figures and pieces that will be fired in a kiln Nature clay is used for figures and decorative pieces that you want to fire to maximise strength and to enable you to add glazes and other finishes to them. We offer nature clay (earthenware) in a variety of colours. They can withstand 1000-1300 °C (electric ceramic kiln, raku firing on a pit fire etc.). Of course, it’s also possible to simply allow objects made from nature clay to harden at room temperature just like self-hardening clay if you’re looking for a raw look and a porous construction. For sculptural work/covering pieces Sculptures built around a wire frame, polystyrene and so on can be covered with modelling compound, of which there are plenty to choose from. If you want a colourful, soft and flexible material, we recommend our Foam and Silk Clay products. If, on the other hand you’re looking for a more raw, natural expression, we recommend concrete, papier-mâché or plaster gauze. For jewellery and extremely small decorative objects that require curing in the oven These types of clay are particularly suitable for creating extra fine details for beads and pendants for jewellery, for example, as well as small figures to decorate a storage box or similar. Some types are better suited for older children and adults as they require warming up before use, while others are designed especially for children, and are ready to use and easy to work with. All modelled objects need heat curing in a conventional oven, after which they become hard with a smooth structure and a beautiful finish.
Download PDF file
Build your own flipbook