ARTools - Ceramic and sculpting tools.

CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE

Sculpture is a three-dimensional art. It deals with the arrangement of solid mass and space. The choice of material affects the design in sculpture. If a sculptor works in a hard brittle material such as stone, the sculpture must have a compact design on a firm base. Because this material tends to chip, the design must be simple, without great detail.

Wood permits more complex carving. Wood can also be shaped and bent, if it is given the right type of treatment first. With planing, the carver can make grain an effective part of the design and add to the surface beauty of the work.

Clay is soft and lends itself to more delicate designs. Metal can be melted and cast in molds to reproduce sculptures designed in clay. Metal can also be worked directly with cutting tools and welding torch. In this new type of sculpture, formed of bars and rods, open space is as important an element as solids in the total design.

From Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia © 1999 The Learning Company, Inc.

WOOD CARVING

A complete set of high quality tools for every woodworking requirement: 3-D carving, deep relief carving, whittling, shaping, leveling. Wooden chest with fitted trays is filled with No. 5 knife with No. 24 blade, 5 assorted blades, 5 gouges and 4 routers.

XACTO

A brandname that has become the identifying word for project knifes. The traditional xacto has a small triangular blade (replaceable) that sits in to a pen style handle. They are used for projects such as, carving, etching, cutting masks or frisket, and trimming.

CHISELS

Professional chisels with forged, high-carbon steel, taper-ground and polished blades. For wood and stone.

STONE CARVING - Chisels, bush hammer and pick, rasps, rifflers, wet-dry paper, powdered pumice, tin oxide.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

CERAMIC TOOLS

Includes: potter's rib, steel scraper, wood modeling tool, needle tool, ribbon tool, loop tool, sponge and wire clay cutter.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

CLAY CUTTERS

These tools are used for fine sculpting, detailing and trimming when working with clay, greenware, plaster, wax, bread dough or any other modeling medium.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

POTTERS WHEEL

ELECTRIC - Portable two-speed table model shown here on the wheel stand. Heavy, non-corrosive aluminum worktable cast in one piece with high splash rim and rounded, easy-to-clean corners. Drippings flow into removable aluminum water reservoir. 2-speed 1/3+ HP motor, 110-120V AC, and transmission fit underneath the worktable and are bolted to the steel base. Off-Low-High switch changes speeds of throwing head from 65 to 95 rpm.

KICK WHEELS - Flywheel base that is turned by kicking. Generally for professionals only.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

ARMATURES

Armatures are sometimes needed to support a clay sculpture, or within the form of a casted sculpture. Metal is best as it will withstand high temperatures during firing or casting. Economical, pliable, non-staining aluminum wire is light weight and easily adjusts to almost any position.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

Wire Form

Rust-proof Wire Form is a pliable modeling material that bends and stretches into any shape and holds 3-dimensional forms. It works exceptionally well as a base for clay, plaster and paper mache. 16" x 20" includes 3 sheets, 20" x 5-ft and 20" x 10-ft are single rolls.

(A) Contour Mesh
Extra fine 1/16" pattern for sculpting fine details.

(B) Sparkle Mesh
Fine 1/8" pattern for molding over solid objects and for creating art with a delicate finish.

(C) Diamond Mesh
Medium 1/4" pattern, more pliable than Sparkle Mesh, can be layered with other mesh to create texture.

(D) Gallery Mesh
1/2" pattern ideal for baskets, vases and working with rigid structural modeling wire.

(E) Impression Mesh
Fine 1/8" pattern in beautiful, glowing copper. Molds 3-dimensional pieces with tight contours and detailed shapes.

(F) Designer’s Mesh
18 mesh brass wire, woven to be highly expandable and pliable. Best for shaping, draping and mixed media assemblage.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

HEAT RESISTANT GLOVES

Used for handling previously fired ceramics from the kiln. Wool lined and extra roomy to dissipate heat. Maximum heat is 1000¡ F. Welders gloves are a good alternative.

Images and verbiage supplied by Dick Blick Art Materials - www.dickblick.com

POLY BASED CLAYS

Brands such as Fimo and Sculpey.

Fimo is an easy-to-handle modeling material which has brilliant color intensity, is fade-proof and odorless. After modeling, place in a pre-heated kitchen oven set at 265 degrees F. Baked Fimo can be added to and baked again, providing it hasn't been varnished. Hardened Fimo can be carved, sawed, filed, cut and painted, is watertight and washable. Unhardened Fimo, even soft-kneaded Fimo, can be used again and again if well packed and stored at normal room temperature. Colors may be changed by kneading together. Add white to lighten, or add transparent Fimo for a translucent quality. Larger models, or models with delicate projecting parts, should be supported from the inside with an armature.

Sculpey is the modern modeling compound that stays permanently pliable at room temperature. It's non-toxic, smooth, non-sticky, non-staining, and won't shrink. When placed in an ordinary home oven at 275 degrees for 15 minutes per 1/4" thickness, it becomes permanently hard. It won't crack, chip or crumble. After baking, Sculpey can be sanded, mended, carved, rebaked and painted with acrylic paint or other water-based colors. May also be glazed with Sculpey Glaze.