The green stuff, please help me!

[Simontetreault]

I have been painting for 10 years on and off, I never really made huge conversions and just decided to give the famous GW \"green stuff\" a try. So I bought some and tried to use it for a few basic conversions and was really surprised at how hard to use it is.

It seems to be like chewing gum, everytime I seem to sclupt something right, as soon as I take away my tool, the whole thing is ruined. I did mix 50 50 until it turned green and all but it\'s just so hard to use.

Do you guys have any tips, articles or suggestions? Im just trying to get better with the gree nstuff in order to actually make good conversions. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

Simon

 

[bayrodney]

This May Help:

http://www.morgankeithstudios.com/tips_putty.html

 

[Patrick]

Thanks bayrodney!

I got most of my info here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1listsculpting/

P.S., when you join, be sure to read the sculpting FAQ in the files section.

 

[Ogrebane]

My tip is practice. I actually use to practice with blue tack first before I try a new technique. I also started using milliput which I find easier to use but you cant do as fine a detail. Good luck post wips when you can.

 

[green stuff]

1. Stop getting your GS at GW : it\'s a ripoff ;
2. The blue part is the hardener. If you want it to be softer, put more yellow (don\'t exceed a 60/40 ratio either way);
3. Work in layers on an armature. You can cure the GS faster in between layers by setting it next to a lamp;
4. If you get your GS in the form of a strip, cut the part between the yellow and the blus before using it (it\'s already cured);
5. Use latex gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I\'ll add a few pointers:

Keep your sculpting tools clean & wet. This will stop them sticking to the Green stuff.

Roll it out into thin sections on a tile or similar surface, It makes it much easier to deal with

I found that it is easier to use if you rub a minute amount of Petrolum jelly onto your hands, and then any surplus onto the surface you are using to roll it out on.

Cut small sections and work carefully.

If you want to sculpt hair use an X-Acto knife (Brand new) make\'s the finest lines for hair.

 

[Usideann]

Furthering the fight

Ok, I have learned to make the simpelest things (Purity Symbols) some robes and cloaks, but the tools I have tried for making harder detail (other than my Trusty toothpick, my favorote toothpick, wich I use to make the skulls in my purity seals.) I do not like, they are ment more for pottery than sculting minis. What sugestions are out there for am excellent set of Sculpting tools.

Also, is there a way to keep green stuff soft when I have to get up and go to the store for the milk i forgot on the way home?

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by Usideann
Ok, I have learned to make the simpelest things (Purity Symbols) some robes and cloaks, but the tools I have tried for making harder detail (other than my Trusty toothpick, my favorote toothpick, wich I use to make the skulls in my purity seals.) I do not like, they are ment more for pottery than sculting minis. What sugestions are out there for am excellent set of Sculpting tools.

Also, is there a way to keep green stuff soft when I have to get up and go to the store for the milk i forgot on the way home?

pop to an art shop and see what they have. use whatever you feel you need. i use the gw one quite a bit and also the wax no. 5. i also have a couple of my own creation (i ground down knitting needles into the shapes i needed). keep the g/s in the fridge or freezer when not using it. it slows down the time taken to cure (if mixed) and keeps it fresher for longer (if not mixed). i usually cut my blocks in half and then freeze half to kepe it fresh.

try mixing milliput and gs. have a try with different mixes. start with about 50/50 mix and work around that. milliput gives it a harder edge but make it more brittle while the gs keeps the shape memory.

main thing - practice. cant emphasise that enough. used to be really shite at some things but have been practicing and it feels like i am coming on in leaps and bounds

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Simontetreault
Do you guys have any tips, articles or suggestions?

Hi Simon, practice! GS/Duro/Kneadatite can be very difficult to work with but you get used to it. You might also try mixing it roughly 2:1 or 3:1 yellow to blue, that can make it easier to handle for some people.

You might like to also consider Aves Apoxie Sculpt or MagicSculp as well, these are a very different type of epoxy sculpting compound, a little clay-like and much easier to use in some ways.

Originally posted by Usideann
What sugestions are out there for am excellent set of Sculpting tools.

Check this thread if you\'ve missed it:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=11375

Originally posted by Usideann
Also, is there a way to keep green stuff soft when I have to get up and go to the store for the milk i forgot on the way home?

Freezer.

The best habit to get into though might be to harden what you\'ve done by placing near a lamp and then to mix fresh GS when you get home.

Einion

 

[sniffles]

Originally posted by Usideann
Ok, I have learned to make the simpelest things (Purity Symbols) some robes and cloaks, but the tools I have tried for making harder detail (other than my Trusty toothpick, my favorote toothpick, wich I use to make the skulls in my purity seals.) I do not like, they are ment more for pottery than sculting minis. What sugestions are out there for am excellent set of Sculpting tools.

Also, is there a way to keep green stuff soft when I have to get up and go to the store for the milk i forgot on the way home?

For sculpting: dental tools. I found some at a military surplus store, of all places! Nice little pointy ends, with corners so you can fit them into small areas.

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

placeing a work in progress or mixed putty into the freezer with stop the cure rate.. well almost stop if if you leave it a week it will probably have fully cured. But for a lunch break or emergency, pop it into the freezer and pull it out a few hours later once it warms up it will be as soft as when you put it in there.