Self-hardening plastics. Review and characteristics.
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Difficult choice?
How to choose plastic for making dolls?
In fact, now the choice of different masses for creating dolls is large. It is difficult for someone who begins to master the art of puppetry.
So which plastic to choose when creating your first doll? Of course, it all depends on the preferences and ideas of the author. Let's try to figure it out.
All masses for modeling are divided into several types:
- Self-hardening plastics
- Baked plastics
- Two-component
- Injection molding
I have been creating designer dolls since 2006 and have tried various materials. I sculpted from self-hardening clay, from baked plastic, there were papier-mâché dolls, now I use porcelain to create dolls.
In this article I will share the experience of my work and work with students in my master classes with self-hardening plastics.
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Artist, doll author Tatiana Simukova.
What is the attraction of the 'self-stick'.
Self-curing plastics are plastics that cure in air. They do not need heat treatment (baking). The curing time is about a day, but depends on the thickness of the plastic layer, on the humidity in the room and other factors.
Usually this plastic is white and then it is painted and tinted. Such plastic is completely painted. I like this plastic for its decorative effect, wide tinting possibilities.
You can mold from such plastic for a long time. Even if the workpiece dries up, you can always either cut something off with a knife, or vice versa, add a new layer, new volumes. This plastic is well sanded, sanded before painting. After painting, dolls made of this material must be covered with matte varnish, which will fix the painting and prevent damage to the doll when water gets on it.
Review of self-curing plastics.
1.Paperglue.
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Paperclay
The most famous and popular material among puppeteers. Very pleasant at work. The plastic sticks well, practically does not stick to your hands. It adheres well. After drying, it becomes light, and this is a big plus of this material. Paperclay is well cut, skinned, sanded and painted. Some craftsmen are confused by its paper grain. But this is a matter of taste. Fragile enough. It is not toxic.
2. LaDoll.
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La Doll
Another popular plastic. Made in Japan.
This plastic consists of highly refined pumice stone, talc and a small amount of paper pulp. It is less fibrous than paperclay. Its structure is finer, since all components are crushed into fine dust. Because of this, the plastic smoothes well and it is easy to achieve a smooth surface. It is a little more difficult for me to apply it than paperglue. After drying, the plastic is strong enough. It can be polished, sanded, drilled or cut with a knife, and, if necessary, added and applied to the already dried material, having previously moistened the surface with water.
3. Premier.
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Premier
Polymer clay from the La Doll series (LaDoll) from the Japanese company Padico. It is the lightest, most flexible and white plastic. While superficially similar in size to the pack with LaDoll (500g), this plastic weighs only 300g.
Premier does not stick to your hands when working. Soft, elastic, fine fiber. In my opinion, it is more difficult to adhere, but smoothes very well. Premier does not crack during the drying process. Once dry, like other hardening plastics, it can be cut and sanded. Dolls made of this self-hardening plastic are quite durable and lightweight. You can paint them with acrylics, oil paints, tempera.
4. Premix.
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La Doll Premix
One of my favorite plastics.
LaDoll Premix was created at the request of doll artists who mixed LaDoll and LaDoll Premier, combining the strength of LaDoll and the lightness of the Premiere. The premix is more durable, it adheres and smoothes very well. Does not crack when dry. Perfectly skins. It is easy and pleasant to work with him. Drying plastic practically does not stick to hands. This plastic is considered to be more durable than regular LaDoll and is therefore often used for ball jointed dolls. At the same time, it is light enough. This plastic can be painted with almost all paints.
5. Artist's form.
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Artista Formo White
Artista Formo is another of my favourite self-curing laminates. It's the one I take to my workshops and recommend to beginners. It is similar to LaDoll, but consists of a coarser grind. It's good for modelling, and you can work out small details. It stains your hands a little and gets sticky when modelling. Artista Formo smoothes and sticks well to the wet without creating a seam. It is possible to make a slip. Dries in one day without cracking. It is good for sanding and polishing. The Artista Formo doll can be painted with acrylic, oil, watercolour or pastel colours.
Excellent combination of price and quality!
In conclusion.
There are other self-hardening masses. For example, Fimo Air Basic (Efaplast), Das, Jovi, Keraplast. These heads are not positioned as puppet heads. Sculpting from them is not easy. Often they stick to your hands like clay. When dry, they shrink and small cracks. But there are many famous craftsmen who create wonderful works from these plastics.
In conclusion, I want to say that only experience will help you choose your favorite plastic. To say that some plastic is better and some worse would be wrong. Each master chooses the material with which it is more pleasant for him to work, as well as the one that meets the intended image of the doll.
I wish you creative success and inspiration!
Tatiana Simukova
instagram @tatiana_simukova
The most useful information. I found, among the presented ones, my favorite materials. I learned something new about them. Thanks to Tatyana!