Posted by julian 46 weeks ago ( 02-Jan-2008 07:15:44 )

The bubbly one looks really cool and ancient
Also, what is a companion cube?

Posted by jesse 46 weeks ago ( 02-Jan-2008 18:19:31 )

A companion cube is a friendly cube from the video game "Portal" many people have formed lasting relationships with it because of its use as a life saving device in the game. And its cute because its as close as you can get to having a bond with an inanimate object.

Posted by tsmaster 42 weeks ago ( 28-Jan-2008 11:21:58 )

Wow, it's as though you threw it into a fire.

I'm so happy for you, that rocks!

Posted by nycontralto 41 weeks ago ( 05-Feb-2008 06:46:13 )

First off, I just want to say that I *love* you for posting this. This seemed like a great idea for a few guys of mine who love the game to make as valentine's gifts...

... however, I am unsuccessful in my attempts to create a cube of my own. It seems silly but I can't seem to get past that first general shaping. I'm curious as to what you used to create the round impressions on each side of the cube? How did you accomplish shaping it like that without the sculptey smooshing under your fingers? That's been my problem... I can't define the edges even slightly without the whole thing smooshing on me. I tried letting it sit and dry out for a while, and I've tried adding the edges on after shaping just the initial cube, but it seems like no matter which approach I take, it smooshes. =/

Any more details that you could provide about your process would be greatly appreciated!

Posted by jesse 41 weeks ago ( 05-Feb-2008 23:43:49 )

Ooch! This is less of a hint question and more of a discipline question. Sculpting is art... actually it is AN art. Therefore many attempt sculpting only to realize that they never practiced and therefore don't know how.
However, I will answer your questions. Please if you get anything out of this section it is that sculpting can be more difficult than 2Dimensional art and when you see great sculpting (not as simple as companion cubes) appreciate it!

General shaping was done with the end of a dowel (ONLY TO SHOW WHERE TO MAKE THE IMPRESSED PARTS) and a fresh pencil eraser.

Step#1 CUBE IT. You must get a pretty perfect cube shape. I did this with my fingers and repeatedly pressing the cube against the table top. It may be close to perfect when you can no longer tell which way was just the top when you roll it to the side (gently).
Then use the dowel (of an appropriate size) to lightly impress on each side (with a gentle rolling wobble) the circular shape. A rolling wobble is pressing just the edge of the cylinder into the clay then circling the pressure around the surface leaving behind a circle shaped indentation.

The secret to sculpting clay is understanding that for every push on the surface, that pressure has to be supported by something. If it is by a misplaced finger in the back, you will ruin previous work. So when you are sculpting the front make sure that you are maintaining the detail in the back as well. If you ONLY support the cube by holding the MIDDLE of each side the center circles will gradually depress as you work. Also applying small pressure points for detail is less likely to need a lot of support. So using a smaller tool and still supporting the piece well will give you a lot of control of the final shape. Think "I am sculpting the front and the back at the same time with pressure from both sides" Even while doing this your cube will become distorted. So after you depress one side slightly with the eraser readjust the cube to perfect cube shape before moving on, remembering to only place pressure where it will benefit the final form.
The Big general shapes need to be done first because it is hard to maintain small details when you need to be mushing bigger volumes around. Towards the end I only was carefully cradling the cube and sculpting the edge shapes by cutting away material with a razor blade (pretty light pressure) and finally poking nooks and crannys into the clay with a very small flat head screwdriver (almost no pressure) It is VERY tedious to maintain the cube, and the details in the end game. Think strategically about your future pressure zoes and make sure you have a safe way to hold it as to not loose progress. Each side is sculpted and touched up maybe 15 times. The general shape is a slow process of repeatedly rotating the cube making a little progress at a time until it looks like I have it. Another way one could possibly do this is to use an armature. Make a cube out of foil crumpled around a wire and place the clay outside of this nice and thick. That way the pressure of your sculpting is absorbed by the inside and transfered out of the clay in the wire. When you are satisfied with the shape (if this works) cut off the wire flush with the surface OR bake the sculpey (which does not get much harder by sitting out but only by being colder than it was) ON the wire and cut it off after it is cool.

Good luck!
J

Posted by nycontralto 41 weeks ago ( 06-Feb-2008 01:02:26 )

If I were to go the foil route, would I have to adjust my bake time because of the foil inside? I can't help but worry that the foil would cause issues with temperature and my mom has already warned me that if I blow up her oven making these cubes, I'm in a lot of trouble. >.<

Posted by jesse 41 weeks ago ( 06-Feb-2008 01:23:00 )

HAHA! Actually it is suggested that one keeps the sculpey about a half inch thick. SO by placing the foil inside you are actually going to end up with a pretty sturdy cube still. Mine is most likely NOT baked inside because of its thickness. The hole that the foil cubes support wire goes in through would let any hot air escape (no explody) and sculpey at the appropriate temp will just brown, never explode. When your cube has been in the oven until its beginning to turn browned on the edges, it is time to take it out. The floi may affect the cube in a negative way IF YOU DO IT IN THE MICROWAVE (NOT ADVISED EVER) but in the oven it will be totally fine (ive done it that way in other sculptures)

Posted by jeffneal 40 weeks ago ( 12-Feb-2008 18:19:51 )

I'm hoping to make a couple of cubes that I played with in a lucid dream I had. What kind of paint do you use?

This comment was edited at 2008-02-13 01:43:13

Posted by jeffneal 40 weeks ago ( 13-Feb-2008 13:58:14 ), comment hidden (show)