Quick Model (Week 6)

For making the quick model, I choose to experiment with 2 materials:

1. Foam

2. Clay

Foam:

The method I chose was to build up a pyramid of foam pieces and then carve out the shape.

First I printed two different side views of the lamp in real scale 1:1. 

Then, I cut each foam in smaller circles and glued them in a stack. 

To make a model with foam it is best to use a high density foam. My first mistake was that the foam I bought had low density, so it was far from ideal to carve out shapes, especially organic and curved. My second mistake was using high solvent glue. (which was recommended to me at the supply shop). Not only  did the glue smell very strong, it also melted the foam. The pieces, didn't really glue together.

In summary, it was a real mess.

**See my next blog post , name: "Example of foam experimentation for model making" demonstrating a different, and more successful, way of using Foam, which was used in a previous project.

Clay:

After setting the melting pyramid of foam outside, I moved on to using clay. The type of clay 

I used is an oil clay, or in Thai language: ดินน้ำมัน (Din Naam Man). Which is actually a sulphur-free hard plasteline - a non-drying clay. The advantage of using the oil clay is that one can create very organic shapes while the form maintains itself. 

It requires a little bit of hit to softened it, so I uses a blowing hard-dryer, which made it easier to sculpture.  In cool temperature, even an air-conditioned room, it becomes harder and the shape is easily maintained.The clay doesn't smell, and easily washed off the hands with soap and water. Another advantage is that the clay is reusable. So once I am done with the model, I can use the material for another project. I just wrap it in plastic to keep it moist.