I am starting to have a go at sculpting a figure, and wondered if anyone can help with a bit of info regarding materials? In the Mark Bannerman book, Modelling Panzer Crewmen of the Heer, there is a chapter with photos of a figure being sculpted by Taesung Harmms, (I did notice Taesung is sometimes a contributor to this forum) in which A&B putty is used.

I'm thinking this is a US brand, does anyone know if this is essentially the same as Miliput? I've noticed that when carving Miliput occasionally a small chunk more than intended can come away, although it is fairly controllable.

I noticed however that for carving hands and feet, blocks of resin are used. Is this of the type normally used for casting figures? Do you need to make your own blocks, or can chunks like this be bought?

Sorry, I know little about resin casting, I'm not even sure what material it actually normally is, is it a styrene monomer, like "Plastic Padding" or is it just like the stuff used on fibreglass construction?

My carving skills are kind of OK (I think) so I'm hoping I can produce something worthwhile, I just want to try to get the most helpful materials.

Thanks.

Matthew,

A+B is available in the UK direct from Sylmasta http://www.sylmasta.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Epoxy_Putties_15.html I can also recommend their "magic sculpt". Their tech support is very helpful, if you give them a call and explain what it is you need it for, they will tell you the pro's and cons of each product.

Also try here http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/index.php? and do a search in the sculpting forums, there are some great step by step threads.

Last but not least, take a look here http://home.planet.nl/~klink244/mcr.htm for some great sculpting.

Oh, and by the way, you have just added another level of frustration to your hobby

Andy

Try here: http://hfmodeling.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewforum&forum_id=87&page=1

Hi Mathew.
Cant speak for A&B putty, as I have never used it, but there is a night and day difference between magic sculpt and milliput. I like both putties for different things, and the milliput would be useful for building up the main shape and bulk. Id use the magic sculpt for the finer details and touches.
Id also recommend the Bill Chilstrom book on converting figures, as there is a load of tips that you´ll find very useful. It has a lot more useful info than the Bannerman book. Good luck.

Just to say thanks very much for the help (and encouragement). I have so far sculpted a fairly accurate 1/35 scale left boot . . .

Now just need to find some more time.

Matthew just a suggestion to ease the way so to speak. Use hornet heads and caste the hands using resin, make the moulds from any figures you have that you feel the hands meet your needs. Small pieces like that will ease you into resin casting without tasting you too much.