your questions answered
Posted: April 3, 2009
Filed under: Info
Tagged: questions + answers
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Israel C. Evans asked some great questions last week which I’ve been looking forward to answering (sorry for the delay Israel! I’ve been on deadline)
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I always paint faces with oil paints and usually paint bodies and clothing with acrylic.
Do you thin your paints much, and if so, with what?
Yes, I thin the oil paint with Gamsol mineral spirits and do use quite a lot of it. I like how forgiving oils are- if I make a mistake I can wipe it right off!
Even though most of the pieces are painted with oil, the speed with which they dry is never an issue because I am only photographing them. If it’s a private commission or a cake topper then I make sure I’ve allowed the necessary drying time before handing over the sculpture.
Yes! But I don’t follow the directions on the box. Ovens vary so much that it’s trial and error to find the right temperature and time to bake Sculpey. I set my oven to 250F and the time will depend on the thickness of the piece. I usually will bake it in stages… it’s easier to bake it some more if it’s not fully cured, but once you’ve burned it you can’t go back!
I used to keep them around until they started to take over (they were everywhere!) When I moved from my old apartment I wanted to start fresh with no sculptures around so I put them in storage. After about a year or so of that I took them out and got rid of most of them. I don’t feel a need to hang onto them so if they are not purchased right after they are made then they sit around for a while. Maybe twice a year I’ll go through them and decide what to give away and what to smash with a hammer.
Thanks so much for your questions! I hope these answers will help you.