Five Studio Essentials for Monster Making and Crypt Keeping

A few days ago, Grim posted a wonderful topic for discussion about working from photo reference. He mentioned in the post the importance of keeping a mirror available in his workshop for quick visual reference during the sculpting process. I keep one handy for the same purpose, and the reminder of its value prompted me to look around my own studio and consider the other resources, accessories, and equipment that appear quite common but are essential to my craft. And what’s best of all: You can easily find these supplies at your local grocer/art supply shop/hardware store. No special ordering necessary.

1. BABYWIPES – No matter what medium you use – Paperclay, Sculpey products, FIMO, plastiline, water-based clays, epoxies – you need to keep your tools clean. Tools that aren’t routinely cleaned can drag against the surface in ways that build clay up rather than smooth it out. Having a box/tube of baby wipes provides an easy-access cleaner you can keep on your workbench and use as needed.

What’s “routine cleaning?” You need to clean your tools WHILE you’re working on a project, not just when you’re finished for that session. If you’re not already in this habit, you should notice a difference as you work.

2. ALUMINUM FOIL – I use foil for bulking out armatures (which saves on clay that can’t be reused), protecting parts of a sculpture from heat while I’m spot-baking with the heat gun, and for building out large shapes over a clay base. The ribs in my recent Saint Claymore sculpture were long rolls of aluminum foil placed over the clay shell and then covered in another layer of clay to blend.

3. HEAT GUN – I’m in a love affair with my heat gun. It’s not only a terrific tool for spot-baking polymer clay, but it’s also a great way to harden details in water-based clays and soften and smooth areas in plastiline. There are other uses for heat guns that I’m hesitant to recommend here as they require a bit of experience with the tool to use and can be dangerous if performed improperly.

WARNING: Unplug your heat gun after every heating session. It’s not happened to me personally, but I’ve read reports of some tools having post-use meltdowns. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on any electrical tools you use.

4. ROTARY TOOL – It’s a drill, a sander, a cutter, a polisher, and more! There are just too many uses for this hand-held powerhouse. And with so many different attachments to choose from, you’ll find that having a rotary tool available will actually change the way you plan and execute your projects. Mine is cordless and provides a “go anywhere” solution to my development needs.

5. PROJECT WORKBOOK – If you’re like me, you’re stumbling across great tips and techniques every day – online and offline. I don’t keep a laptop close to my workbench to protect it from accidental damage, so bookmarking these discoveries isn’t enough. I have a three-ring binder – a sort of creative grimoire – that I fill with sculpting suggestions, inspirational images, instructional information, product details/warnings (especially for hazardous materials), and others. With the addition of plastic slipcovers, I’ve got a studio-ready resource that I can reference on-the-fly that’s protected from most everyday wear and tear.

There are just too many recommendations for resources to keep in your workspace that support and streamline the creative process. I’m certain there will be a Part 2 to this topic coming soon.

KingUnicorn is a guest blogger here at Grimvisions you can see more of his work at http://kingunicorn.blogspot.com/