Instead of using earliners with the bases, I've decided to use the Eppley earliners without the butts on them.
I will be sculpting the ear butts on the form prior to mounting, and I'm considering using mache, but sounds like some of you have had problems with it?
I have potters clay on hand, as well as critter clay and mache. I use the mache from McKenzie for skull caps, and it seems to set up like a rock within 30 minutes or so, and is nice to work with for me personally.
Obviously drumming will not be an issue on the ear bases, but I'm wondering what ear base material works best for you experienced guys/gals?
Thanks - Justin
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I use this type of clay on ear butts and it works well. Ive also used apoxie sculpt for competition. Do you always sculpt butts on form first or is this something new your trying to do to achieve a different angle on ear rotation? Also, I understand that the location of the ears will be set prior to mounting with the mache method, good thing since it sets up fairly quick. I like to get the ears set on the first day but often make adjusments after I take off mounting stand and hang on wall. From a different view point Im not always perfectly satisfied with the way the ears look, and when using clay I now have more time to make those adjustments. Measure how much you will need by looking at a liner with butt, after liner is glued in you can push clay into butt area making sure you get a smooth transition from butt to liner. I pin ears up while sewing. Im sure others will have their ways but this is what has been working in my shop for years. good luck!
Yes, this is something new I'm trying. I'm not happy with the earliners with the bases, and wanted to try this in order to get a better looking earbutt, and also have more options for positioning the ear in any direction rather than having just the standard forward or back liners with pre installed bases.
I use WASCO brand water based clay for my ear butt work, it's cheap, stronger and shrinks less than potters clay.
Never tried it but I will! Thanks
Sallie Dahmes ear base from WASCO, its cheap and comes in powder form. Its lighter than clay and the good thing about it is you can sculpt it for about 3 days before it gets rock hard. After day 1 it stays very firm so you can add the detail to the base. The best thing to do on day 1 is get the basic shape of the base formed and then let it set until the next day and then start applying the detail there after.
Does it mix with water, Is it about same price as clay? Thats one thing that holds up turn around time is waiting for clay in butts to set up enough to release to customer. Another great tip, Thanks
it does mix with water and the price is $9.85 for 5lbs., $15 for 10lbs, and $32 for 25lbs. When you mix it you keep the rest in a bowl I use a butter bowl to store mine and when I need to mix more I throw in some powder in the bowl that has some already mixed and make more. You also put 2 capfuls of Lysol or bactracide and it keeps the bug or what ever out. What I like about it is you can shape and put the details in it 3 days down the road, and when it gets hard its like concrete but very light weight. When you mix it you will feel how light it is. Hope this works for you.
and it does not shrink and it will not drum.
Thanks for the responses all. I checked the shelf, and I found a bag of Sallie Dahmes ear base - never used it, but it's been sitting there since I started a few years ago. I believe I watched one of her videos, and ordered it after that, but never opened the bag.
I'm anxious to try it out and see the results I get.
Again, thanks for taking the time to respond! - Justin