Would anybody out there be interested in a Course on how to make Clay master Figures? (9 Viewers)

T

The Major

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materails and Hobby Kit item Prices continue to climb ever higher with spiralling energy bills. Is it now time for our Hobby to return to its past materials and methods instead where these can be more affordable and yet give excellent results?
 
The Major said:
materails and Hobby Kit item Prices continue to climb ever higher with spiralling energy bills. Is it now time for our Hobby to return to its past materials and methods instead where these can be more affordable and yet give excellent results?
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One thing if you are artistic and have the required skills or the time, money & space to develop them, most people don't, but instead of looking to the past, why not go down the 3D printing route with plastics and resin.
 
Horus said:
One thing if you are artistic and have the required skills or the time, money & space to develop them, most people don't, but instead of looking to the past, why not go down the 3D printing route with plastics and resin.
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I don't disdain 3D printing, but I don't feel the need to invest in the equipment and materials and learn the processes, at this point in my life. Though I have dabbled a little with Sketchup. But I'm still working with 2-part epoxy putty to learn to sculpt.

Prost!
Brad
 
The Major said:
materails and Hobby Kit item Prices continue to climb ever higher with spiralling energy bills. Is it now time for our Hobby to return to its past materials and methods instead where these can be more affordable and yet give excellent results?
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I don't think it's solely the materials that drive the price of a finished figure up. The fact that the market is limited has an impact, and the fact that whether it's a figure made from a sculpted master, a mold made the old-school way, and cast in white metal, requires a specialized set of skills that command a higher price. Of course, 3D design and printing are also specialized skills that command higher prices.

Face it-collecting "collector's toys" is a hobby that does require a little more disposable income than many other hobbies.

I deal with the prices by painting my own, and that I focus on older castings and kits. And I look for bargains. I collect other things, like beer steins, for example, so I'm just used to, and experienced at, hunting for items for my collection, and waiting till I find something at a price I'm willing to pay, or at haggling with a seller to get a deal I like. I trained on flea markets and auctions. Similar skills apply for me in our hobby.

Prost!
Brad
 
theBaron said:
I don't disdain 3D printing, but I don't feel the need to invest in the equipment and materials and learn the processes, at this point in my life. Though I have dabbled a little with Sketchup. But I'm still working with 2-part epoxy putty to learn to sculpt.

Prost!
Brad
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Neither do I Brad, there are already people out there who do it and do it well and if it's something I like or want, and it's at a price I'm willing to pay the person to print it for me, why not, hat off to anyone with the skills to do it themselves.
 
I could count on One hand the number of guys I know that still cast metal toy soldiers, and they are my age or older. However I know a lot of guys that have 3D printers that make their own designs or copy others. Metal casting at home has gone the way of video rental stores.Times change, people move on to the next best thing. As a TS business owner you have to change and adapt to the new materials, trends etc or watch your sales slowly decline. And of course Online sales should be a Priority rather than a neglected extra.
 
The Major said:
materails and Hobby Kit item Prices continue to climb ever higher with spiralling energy bills. Is it now time for our Hobby to return to its past materials and methods instead where these can be more affordable and yet give excellent results?
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You move ahead, not backwards.
 
Hi all
I understand from the initial post that material costs of toy soldiers is very high. Toy soldiers are traditionally cast in metal expensive and cheaper toy soldiers can be bought in plastic and more recently in 3d printing going up in prices again. The costs is of course added on by painting.

To try to sculpt a figure is to make a single figure, as a master for mass prodn or as a single figure. This can be done in polymer clay or resins. Recently also can be done in 3d printing where ltd runs are feasible.
 
Hazebrouck said:
Hi Major,

Just curious about this thread's title. Are you offering a course in sculpting clay fgures?

Scott
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He's a producer, apparently, who now owns several legacy brands. I remembered his earlier posts from a couple of months ago, which contained thinly veiled accusations of piracy against some other contemporary makers. I think he's gretzing about the costs of production.

Prost!
Brad
 
theBaron said:
He's a producer, apparently, who now owns several legacy brands. I remembered his earlier posts from a couple of months ago, which contained thinly veiled accusations of piracy against some other contemporary makers. I think he's gretzing about the costs of production.

Prost!
Brad
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Not really.
 
theBaron said:
I don't disdain 3D printing, but I don't feel the need to invest in the equipment and materials and learn the processes, at this point in my life. Though I have dabbled a little with Sketchup. But I'm still working with 2-part epoxy putty to learn to sculpt.

Prost!
Brad
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WE aquired a 3 D printer AND IT IS true ONE must learn New skill AND acquire yet more gadgets etc. However seems TO me 3 D IS excuse TO push prices higher. Not justified.
 
OzDigger said:
I could count on One hand the number of guys I know that still cast metal toy soldiers, and they are my age or older. However I know a lot of guys that have 3D printers that make their own designs or copy others. Metal casting at home has gone the way of video rental stores.Times change, people move on to the next best thing. As a TS business owner you have to change and adapt to the new materials, trends etc or watch your sales slowly decline. And of course Online sales should be a Priority rather than a neglected extra.
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WE ARE beginning works on 3 D printer. However 3 D folk NOW make very high charge for comparatif LESS SKILL. Traditional méthods requière higher Artistique skills. I do not sée 3 D AND multiples contract for designs will continue many years
 
The Major said:
WE ARE beginning works on 3 D printer. However 3 D folk NOW make very high charge for comparatif LESS SKILL. Traditional méthods requière higher Artistique skills. I do not sée 3 D AND multiples contract for designs will continue many years
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The key word is 'skills', it doesn't matter if you favour the traditional artistic skills rather than more modern technical skills, they both cost money if you can't do it yourself. And it doesn't matter if You can't see how 3D will continue in the future, others Can and Will see the continued potential for adaptation and improvement in that industry.
 
Modern IT based printers are locked in TO specific software AND or designed TO expire. Traditional skills will Outlast ALL OF them . Money? I suppose Thérèse a few people I wouldnt take money from in THIS industry. Its very dirty AND I dont want it
 
A sculpture Can be altered. Improved. Éven re made. Printed works with flaws? Start ALL over again.chuck away ALL that works AND Time. Many figurine Can be made fairly rapidly using traditional skills. Which WE posess
 
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