EXPERIMENT, PROTOTYPE, PRESENT .
Monday 14th
FIRST PROTOTYPE
I began experimenting with the materials I had on hand: wire, air-dry clay, tinfoil, and pompoms. I attempted to create a light tinfoil base to wrap the clay around, but the clay wouldn’t adhere to the foil, leading to some frustration. Then I thought about making shaped pompoms that could resemble birds or serve as decorations, inspired by Sophie’s first workshop. However, I quickly realised that the cutting involved would be too challenging and fiddly for many participants, as it requires a fair amount of hand strength to keep everything intact.
SECOND PROTOTYPE
I gathered a better selection of materials from home, class, and The Works: polymer clay from home, leaves from my garden, sculpting tools, gloves, wire, craft feathers, air-dry clay, and PVA glue. I started with the air-dry clay, which oddly reminded me of squished marshmallows and old stress toys. While it was fun to handle, the feathers wouldn’t stay attached because the clay was too light and brittle, and I found the same issue with the higher-quality clay. This experience made me realize I need to explore the properties of different clays further to improve my techniques.
THIRD PROTOTYPE
I was excited to use polymer clay for the first time because its wax based, meaning you can endlessly sculpt with it without it drying even a bit and without using any water. The plasticine texture also holds details so well. Its a mess free alternative and a sculpting dream, but I did not expect it to feel so dense at first. The heavy-ness of it made it feel like a real bird in my palm which was cool but to save cost I'd make a wire skeleton to wrap the clay around, making it much lighter.
I began by rolling a ball of clay, shaping it into an eggplant and carving in the details. Using a spoon I hacked a way to create realistic feathers by pressing in a diagonal motion and you could just keep adding detail. For the workshop if some of the participants wanted to simply make an undecorated bird from pure clay then they can, and spend their time carving. the only problem is that polymer stays soft unless put in an oven, so its more breakable - or rather squish-able.
For the beak I trimmed a bit of stick and I love how this clay seamlessly merges into the materials, in contrast to the airdry clay where I'd have trouble. The most satisfying part was layering leaves onto the model which turned out so well, for some areas I needed PVA glue to hold the leaves together. I was intentional with the colour and size of the leaves when placing them, creating an ombré autumn gradient. Had I brought more leaves I would've completed the pattern but instead I tried incorporating complimentary red craft feathers. You'd thing it were easy but theyre hell to work with! I made such a mess trying to resize the feathers and glueing them and it sticking to everything else but the clay. I definately have to provide presized feathers for the participants and ill give a brief demonstration of how to do that themselves. To finish off - green buttion eyes.
Tuesday 15th
INSIGHT INTO CLAY PROPERTIES
Air-Dry Clay
Workability: Remains soft and moldable for a limited time, making it easy to shape and add details. Best for beginners and casual sculptors.
Drying Time: Air dries within a few hours to a few days, depending on thickness. Care is needed to prevent cracking.
Detailing: Good for adding textures and details, but fine details may not hold well after drying.
Finishing: Can be painted or sealed after drying, but may require a protective coating to enhance durability.
Best Uses: Small sculptures, models, and decorative pieces, especially for educational or hobby projects.
Polymer Clay
Workability: Highly malleable and can be easily blended with other colors. Excellent for intricate detailing and fine work.
Baking Time: Cures in an oven, usually within 15-30 minutes, depending on thickness. No risk of drying out while working.
Detailing: Holds fine details exceptionally well and can be smoothed easily. Great for features like facial expressions.
Finishing: Can be painted, sanded, or glazed after baking. Offers a wide range of finishes.
Best Uses: Detailed sculptures, figurines, jewellery, and mixed media art.
Natural Clay
Workability: Very plastic when wet, allowing for large and complex forms. Suitable for traditional sculpting techniques.
Firing Time: Requires firing in a kiln, which can take several hours to days, depending on the piece's size and thickness.
Detailing: Excellent for both broad and fine details. Can be smoothed and carved easily while wet.
Finishing: Can be glazed for added color and waterproofing after firing. Offers a variety of finishes based on glazing techniques.
Best Uses: Large sculptures, functional art (like pottery), and traditional ceramics.
Summary
Air-Dry Clay: Great for casual projects and quick sculptures but less durable.
Polymer Clay: Perfect for detailed work and quick projects; very versatile.
Natural Clay: Ideal for traditional sculpting and large projects that require firing for durability.
PAPER MACHE PROPERTIES
Papier-mâché is a crafting technique that involves creating objects using paper and adhesive, typically glue or starch. The process usually involves tearing or cutting paper into strips, dipping them in a mixture of glue and water, and then layering them over a mold or frame. Once dry, the hardened paper can be painted or decorated. It’s commonly used for making sculptures, masks, and other decorative items due to its versatility and lightweight nature.
Lightweight: Once dried, it is relatively light, making it easy to handle and transport.
Drying Time: Takes ages to dry unless you use a dryer or humidifyer.
Strength: When properly layered and dried, it can be quite strong and durable.
Malleability: The wet paper can be shaped and molded into various forms, allowing for creative expression.
Flexibility: It can bend slightly without breaking, depending on the number of layers used.
Surface Texture: The final surface can be smooth or textured, depending on the type of paper used and the application technique.
Eco-friendly: It can be made from recycled materials, making it a sustainable crafting option.
Paintable: Once dried, it can be easily painted or decorated, allowing for a wide range of artistic finishes.
Porosity: It can absorb moisture, so it may need to be sealed if used outdoors or in humid environments.
Reflection - lightweight and sustainable, takes too long for the workshop. would be suitable for making the pre-made bases for the participants.
For making a detailed model bird, I find think polymer clay is the best choice. It’s really versatile and holds fine details well, plus I can keep sculpting without it drying out until I bake it. This allows me to add intricate features without worrying about the clay hardening too soon.
Air-dry clay is also a good option, especially since it doesn’t require baking, but it can end up being a bit brittle once dry. Natural clay, like earthenware, is viable too, but it typically requires kiln firing, which isn’t always accessible. Although as a sustainable alternative it works well as a pre made base, It just need to be kept moist.
I think paper mache can work for larger projects, but it doesn’t provide the same level of detail or durability for small models. Overall, if I want ease of use and the ability to create fine details, polymer clay is the go-to choice.
CONCLUSION - Polymer clay for workshop modelling/ paper mache and natural clay for pr-made models.
Wednesday 16th
FEEDBACK BASED ON MY PITCH AND OTHERS
Practice presentation: it was fine but needs improvement.
Combine all relevant content in a similar place.
Remove unnecessary slides/information.
We're presenting to the MAC, not the teachers, so tailor your presentation accordingly. Remember to connect with the audience instead of treating it like a graded assessment.
Keep it under 5 minutes.
Focus on key points.
FIRST PRESENTATION DRAFT:
link//https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YFEToNz4z9LdC7ncueCRhwADza2XccVvChGWe9rNeMY/edit?usp=sharing
FRIDAY 18th
IMPROVED PRESENTATION MADE ON CANVA: BirdMaking Pitch 2.pptx
SATURDAY 19th
DIGITAL MODELLING WITH NOMAD AND VECTOR-WORKS
CREATING THE TREE WITH NOMAD
This is an initial concept which is inspired, in part, by grandmother Willow from Pocahontas, the tree sprite from fantasia, and my grandma's face.
PROCESS
FINISH
I might ask Zoe from third year about using recycled plastic in 3D printing in case I do create this, bearing in mind it would be 3 - 6 feet tall as represented in my vector works site plan.
SITE PLAN OF THE ENGLISH ROOM.
WITH VECTORWORKS
SUNDAY 20TH
4TH PROTOTYPE
I wanted to make a fresh prototype for the clients, but this time with more leaves and experience.
For some reason it developed a perm overnight.
