FORMING BRONZclay™
Using simple tools and your own talented fingers, roll, press, form and
sculpt BRONZclay™ into any desired shape. Clay elements can be added, removed
and refined as you go, making this
a spontaneous and highly creative
process.
SUGGESTED HAND TOOLS
One of the best things about BRONZclay™? You can find tools to work the clay just about anywhere—around the house, in the studio or shop, the kitchen, the office, the toy box and the great outdoors. In fact, you'll find yourself always on the look-out for everyday objects that can become the next great tool for enhancing your designs.
Basic ToolsSheets of plastic or glass make terrific and portable work surfaces. Use
mylar sheets, page dividers or plastic signs. Most artists start with the tools
below; many are available at riogrande.com. |
Specialty ToolsAs your interest grows, you'll find yourself adding tools to your collection.
In addition to your own discoveries, you might find these useful (many are
available at riogrande.com): | |||
• water dish with sponge • paintbrush • plastic rolling tube • drinking straws • rubber-tipped shaping tool |
• playing cards (spacers)
|
• magnifiers • stiff flat brush • rubber stamps • texture plates • plastic design templates • patina solution |
• small chisels • files • tweezers • tissue blade • emery boards • potter's wheel |
BASIC FORMING TECHNIQUES
BASIC FORMING TECHNIQUES-
- Rub a few drops of olive oil on your palms and tools before starting to keep them from sticking to the clay and to keep the clay moist.
- To make sheets, use a roller and stir sticks or two equal stacks of playing cards on each side of the lump to make a uniform thickness (thicknesses of 3-6 cards are typical for jewelry items).
- A knife, X-Acto® blade or playing card edge can be used to lift the pieces off the sheet.
- To join parts, set them close together and apply a drop of water and slip with a pointed brush. Let the water penetrate for a few seconds, then firmly press the parts together and hold them in place for several seconds.
- To achieve textures, press the BRONZclay™ against a rough surface or roll the surface over a sheet of BRONZclay. Even simple objects such as bottle caps create interesting trails, and leaves, bark and wood offer many possibilities.
- One way to make a pendant bail is to roll out a slender rod and form it into a loop. Cut off the ends to make a solid attachment, moisten with water and press it into position.
- To make rings, wrap enough wide tape around a dowel to create a form of the correct size (remember to allow roughly 20% for shrinkage). Cover the form with plastic wrap and create your ring. When it is finished (and preferably before the clay dries), slide the ring off.
Note: If the BRONZclay™ becomes dry as you work, spray or brush on a little water (not too much!) and cover it with plastic wrap for a few minutes to allow it to rehydrate. If you add too much water, just set the clay aside, loosely wrapped, and allow it to dry out.