To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 05:34:19 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] Make your own detail loop tols.


Hi all.
I just finished my first completely satisfying set of puppets 3D sketches for the movie project.
They look great.
Pics coming soon.

I just have to share this trick I tried today.
Yesterday during my online searches, I went to a site that advertised handmade precision sculpting tools for clays and similar modeling compounds.
I saw quite a few tools, but two really jumped at me. A mini loop tool, and a detail bent needle.
A loop tool is ideal to use to cut grooves and holes into clay, without displacing the material.
A wooden shaping tool pushes the material aside, which is another kind of necessary action.
I could sculpt my entire life with only a loop tool, a shaping tool, and an X-ACto knife.
A loop toool is also great to remove extra matter, and to smooth the final work before finishing with something like a rag.


They mentionned that they made their loop tools from memory wire.
So today, at the craft store, I noticed they had the memory wire in the jewerly making section (for necklaces).
I got some, and back home, I bent a short piece in half and over itself, until I had the size of loop I needed (very small), put it in a vise, and used pliers to twist the ends around themselves, closing the loop and creating a stem.
I pierced a hardwood dowel on one end, and inserted the wire in it. The hole was so tight I did not need to glue it.
 I will anyway, but for now I did not feel like using epoxy at night with all the windows closed.
It's cold these days!.
Weather's all screwed up.

What is not screwed up is the loop tool. Absolutely mind boggingly useful!

On the other end of the handle I made, I added a piece of memory wire with the end bent at a 45 degree angle.
Great to do scratching effects, or to draw burr-free lines (dragging backwards), or detailing some depths even more, or cutting away some sharp edges.

Mathieu René Créaturiste
Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
www.creaturiste.com
creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
(514) 274-8027
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