need some help

[HPZ]

i have a question, how does one go about sculpting fire

[pairadocs]

I ran into this issue when trying to make some fire markers for some 3D heroclix playing... what ended up working really well was hot glue.

 

What I did was use a glue gun set to a low setting, and slowly pulling globs of glue from a base upwards, essentially making tentrils of flame. You can vary the size and shape too. It does get messy and stringy though. I suppose you could do that for a base, then use sculpey or epoxy putty modelled over it.

 

Another method, and less messy, would be just to use a similar method with epoxy putty....

 

Since I'm on the subject, another neat method I learned for making ice: take ice cube trays (or whatever plastic mold you want your ice in), and coat the inside very thinly with vegtable oil or similar lubrication. Then fill the mold with two-part epoxy (clear - you can add color tint via food color or paint if you wish). When it dries, pop it out - voila!

 

Good luck!

[HPZ]

hmm, how well would that work though for say someones face

[pairadocs]

Not sure... never tried that, but I'm sure it would work if you made a mold in sculpey (and hardened). I just tried it with the ice method, since I wasn't too concerned with fine detail and wanted a slightly rough, crackled look.

 

There is a molding compund that works well for casting that you can get at art stores (don't remember the name of it) that you pour around an item, and you get a rubbery, flex mold that can then be used and re-used for castings. THat stuff may work better as it does a good job at retaining detail, but I don't see why the epoxy method wouldn't as well. Especially if you want to make a clear casting of a body, to make an Iceman perhaps....