[slivers&dust]

Thanks Mark that is a great idea for building up the sub section for a clay model.

Here at the monument company we receive 18” to 4’ statues packed with that stuff. Each statue is placed in a box then the foam is sprayed in plastic bags that conform to the statue shape and box. Of course there are several sections to make it easier to open. I imagine you could do the same for shipping carvings if they weren’t too delicate.

Insulating foam…who would have thunk it was so versatile.

[mark yundt]

I ve seen the packing stuff you talked about, fits the piece exactly.I've done quite abit with it,,the foam itself.There is also a foam available through sign making supplies that is great . up to 4x8 sheets , different densities and thicknesses . Go to them for scraps,glue up into blocks or use as relief, easy for newcarvers as well as old to work out designs, make story sticks, etc.Carves any which way and is waterproof, paints great,, looks like a wood sign but no splits,cracks etc. I've also included the pics from the clay company,, even if you have no interest in using clay , many of these co's have brochures with incredible pieces in them for inspiration,,That is Leonardo's horse,done locally by the way,,look at the scaffolding and the size of the guys working on it,For the western buffs, look at the horses and wagon,,,you should order the brochure from the mold making company,,green men, casts, sculptures wood spirits etc. Why not cast one of your green men, and make stepping stones leading to your shop? Hang the orig. in the shop.How about a series of celtic knot stepping stones? Do one in terra-cotta and hang it on the deck??

Sorry , for some reason they're giving me trouble

[mark yundt]

Had to photocopy them , rescan,resize +upload,,sorry,,HEY, it worked,,This is the clay company,,Chavant,,they'll send you a 15 pc.sample set of their clay,,just the brochure is neat,,the other company is Polytek,,theirs has a bunch of neat stuff,faces,figures,greenmen,spiirts,architectural ...check 'em out

[doris]

hi mark, i am interested how you make the copy of clay in wood to be so similar. do you just eyeball the sizes, and carve accordingly, or do you have a system to measure in clay and put that on wood ? if so, how do you do that ? (i make a plastilin model for my next carving, and i would like copy it as good as i can...)

[mark yundt]

Hello Doris,I came up with a trick (didn't know how I was going to do it either!) I first tried using a lamp, casting a shadow, just as it's done making a silouette cut-out.Almost worked, but the line wasn't clear enough and there was distortion.So I needed some sort of index, to follow the clay and transfer it to the wood. I ended up using a square.Slide the ruler part all the way out till it's flush with the base, or handle part. Now hold the base of the square against the wood block, and let the 1 ft ruler part follow the outline of the clay. If done correctly, and the base is always held flat against the wood, a pencil,held against the base will allow you to scribe a line on the wood at the same position the ruler is following the clay model.I did the base square for the clay,letting me position the wood against that square edge fo the side profile.turn the clay , put the wood in front of it and "trace" it again,,now you have both front and side profiles to cut out on a band saw. This gives you a basic cut out. To rough it in,some eyeballing is required, but you still have the clay to take measurements from,and see just where you have to remove more wood. It's easier and faster than just winging it in the wood alone. I know it may sound complicated,,,give me a little time,, tune back in and I'll get you some photo's that'll clear it up in no time!

[doris]

hi mark, thanks for that. no photos needed, i understand what you describe. i try that and we see how works for me... i have no bandsaw, but getting the profiles on wood is first essential step. then i will have good guides to carve. thanks again, and maybe i pop up with another question when i got stuck with my copying the clay in wood ...

[mark yundt]

Too late! LOL..went out to the studio,and took them,,might as well post them,,maybe someone didn't get my explaination,,Oh well.

If you don't have a band saw,,check with some friends,, or how about a local wood worker,that's what I used to do before I got one?

[Kenny_S]

Can't say about the "great stuff" that Mark uses, but some people are allergic or have a reaction to some of ther spray insulatiom foam. Read the label carefully.
I believe Marks has researched the stuff he uses or he wouldn't be using it.

Thank you Mark for the tip on the foam.

[mark yundt]

Yes Kenny , good point.I have a tendency to forge ahead and ignore warnings,,now I know why I've lost so many brain cells.All the fumes, solvents, finishes,,,wait,, what was I talking about??Oh yeah,,read the labels and take precautions!

[doris]

mark, tanks a lot for your efforts :-) its better to see in fotos, so i see i did understand right. i am very eager to do this today, after finish the rough model.