What’s more restorative than sculpting a model by hand. Sculpting is one of the oldest techniques known to mankind and while we work with clay, we also connect ourselves to the ancient past.
You may have a different outlook on sculpting and the techniques of sculpting. Whichever, be your notion, it is no new thing that sculpting as such is a happy process and everyone enjoys having some clay to trail with. A child or a beginner adult, there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t like clay.
In this article, we bring to you a fair view of the best clay you can choose. The pros, cons, similarities, and differences between Chavant NSP and Monster clay.
Table of Contents
Different Types of Clays
When it comes to the types of clay and clay that people enjoy pottery with, it is divided broadly into two segments. Natural clays are the ones that are naturally occurring. They are all clays that can air-dry. These clays which are water-based dry naturally.
This method is easy to use and good for sculpting, in case, you don’t have an oven to bake your sculpture. This type of clay is often reusable. The only thing is that you may always have to keep it moist, else it will dry out.
The next type of clay is synthetic clay. These are oil-based clays and they include plastic-type clay, epoxy, and polymer-based clay. These clays are typically different from natural clay and you don’t have to worry about it getting dried out.
You can take your time to make your sculpture. You can work today and leave it for a few weeks and go back to complete it. Stay assured, your sculpture will stay unaffected.
Wax-Based Clay
If making temporary sculptures are your niche, then wax-based clays may work the best for you. The wax-based clay is a combination of clay flour, oil, and wax and doesn’t dry out so easily.
It is also used in Claymation in movies and is a great choice. It is also reusable. Non-Sulphur Plasteline or NSP can be melted. You can also add color to it.
It is expensive and you will also notice it is not so elastic when it is out of the packet. However, when you microwave it, you will find it is amazingly elastic. You can also harden it by keeping it in a freezer.
Monster Clay or Chavant NSP – Which is the best?
Monster clay is a standard professional clay used for modeling. If you are looking at creating things with a lot of detail, then Monster clay must be your first go-to.
It is also the favorite item for any Sci-fi or horror movie lover. They are people who always intend to create something of great fun and this monster clay is just perfect for that.
It may not be so flexible when you first open a packet of Monster clay. If you experience it, then do not panic. All you have to do is place it in a microwave. This will soften the clay. If you don’t have a microwave, then do not panic. You just need a bulb and its heat to get the job done.
You will notice that the elasticity of the clay increases as it is exposed to heat. Since it is an oil-based clay, it may be a little hard to work with. You may have to put in a lot of extra effort to do the work. However, the hard work you put in speaks in the form of results and an amazing finish.
Pros of Monster Clay
- Adorable quality
- A famous choice among Sci-fi and horror lovers
- Recyclable.
Cons of Monster Clay
- May leave a hole in your pocket
- Less elastic compared to other products.
Chavant NSP – The Famous Wax-Based Clay
A famous clay, a non-Sulphur variant, and a wax-based clay, Chavant NSP is known for its unique properties. It is known better for its non-drying properties. It is also seen that Chavant NSP doesn’t shrink, unlike its counterparts.
If sculpting models with thin and refined edges are your expertise, then you know Chavant NSP is the best clay to opt for. You can design edges as thin as feathers and they look just amazing. It is also available in hard, soft, and medium forms.
The adhesive properties of the clay are commendable. However, it is sticky and this may leave you wanting to wash your hands more often. With Chavant NSP you can show your sculpturing skill to finer detail. It is sure to impress anyone who sees your work.
Pros of Chavant NSP
- Chavant NSP has top-notch adhesive properties
- Good at holding finer details
- Recyclable
Cons of Chavant NSP
- Chavant NSP is super expensive
- It is sticky and may leave you a little irritated.
A Comparison of Monster and Chavant Clay
Whether Chavant or Monster, both are oil-based clay. Hence, you may find both of them don’t dry out so easily.
A sculptor can take his time to work on the model or even chose to resume the work after a gap of few weeks. The sculpture is going to remain unaffected during this period.
The next comparison says, while you may choose your clay based on the nature of your sculpture, you will find both of them are equally expensive. Yes, there’s no compromise on the price, whichever you may opt for. The third point of comparison is that both clays are reusable.
This makes it worth the money. The one major difference you may find between Chavant and Monster clay is that Chavant is stickier compared to Monster. Some of the artists may prefer Chavant as it helps them make the sculpture quickly. Monster clay, on the other hand, is firm to touch and may not stick to your hands.
While Chavant is good, if the artist is looking at creating finer edges, Monster is a good choice for artists who give a lot of attention to detail. While both clays may have their pros and cons, it is no new fact that both are great to work with!
Both clays are worth the money and the beauty of the work will speak for it. Good luck with clay fabrications!
