Sculpting a chain?

[No Such Agency]

Does anyone know a good method for sculpting free-hanging chains from putty? I've found this excellent tutorial on sculpting chain lying on/hanging against a surface, but it produces a one-sided product. I'm thinking more like the chain on a flail or hanging from a banner pole. It looks like you could modify the method for putty layered over a thin wire, but it'd be really hard

 

[Chrome]

Well, it's not sculpting, but how about this?

 

[Einion]

It looks like you could modify the method for putty layered over a thin wire, but it'd be really hard

Unfortunately I think that is the way to do it in 3D. I might do the same myself. Alternatively I'd try: sculpt flat, wait for the GS to nearly set then lift it from the working surface, shape it and then let it fully cure before working further; not sure if it would have enough strength to hold its form for further putty application but it's worth a shot.

Einion

P.S. If it's for a really chunky chain you might consider carving it from cured MS or a similar hard epoxy clay, but that's got its own set of challenges.

 

[mattsterbenz]

I remember seeing greens on the Reaper site that had chain on them just like in Chrome's picture. They would fill in the links with green stuff to make them stable and possible to cast. Or you can use the super glue method to make the chain free flowing and stable.

Some of the GW figures have chain links that are much more squared off on the corners rather than rounded. That would probably be a lot easier to sculpt in 3D, though I myself am not a fan of that style of chain.

-Matt

 

[cyberakuma]

real chain is the way to go pretty much any hobby shop that does model ships will have some in varying sizes for anchors and such

 

[cassar]

solder wire comes in various sizes and it is easy to bend, stick a couple of pins in a piece of wood then bend the wire around or if you want square links four pins close together and repeat the pins give you consistent size for the links then just join em together

 

[Dead Painter]

Use your tutorial and let the chain you make cure then flip it over and sculpt the other side.

 

[NemesisNow]

you ever see those gum ball looking machines with eggs inside? some have costume jewellery, i snapped some of these up at 20p a pop, the chain was small and thin and made from soft metal, i used super glue to harden the joints... i think this is the best method though its been a while since ive seen any.

just thaught of e bay, something like this for 99p?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JET-HERNATITE...tches_CostumeJewellery_CA&hash=item27b6d251ee

 

[khavor]

Good tutorial NSA, thanks for the link. I've sculpted a bit of chain before using essentially that same technique... it ain't easy. I'd agree with everyone else that real chain is the way to go for 3d chain. Much faster and less hair pulling. I've always had good luck going to Wal-mart and buying some cheap costume jewelry to cut up. You can usually find a good selection of different types and sizes that way.