Rikard's Body Building, Part 1: Have Putty

Submitted by Rikard

Thought I'd get the ball rolling with some basics on putties as there is a lot of hearsay about different types of putties and many people constantly argue over "the best" putty.

I have used quite a few different types of putties overall at least 7 or more and it can be easily summed up like this:

THERE IS NO NUMBER ONE PUTTY.

It simply all boils down to personal preference some people simply prefer different putties and find that they get on better than others might as different things such as room temperature, curing time, tools and even the temperature and sweatiness of your hands will affect the overall experience.

Green stuff

You're very basic sculpting material and the most commonly used one too. I first started on this putty way back in the day and is still by far my most preferred and used putty. When it comes to organic shapes whether its flesh, scales, teeth, fur, claws, bones, or fine detail this putty is the winner. It has good memory and responds better to certain techniques and tools depending on the drying time it has been allowed. Many people complain about the severe stickiness of green stuff but I don't have that trouble as my hands are very cold due to poor circulation (mainly because of very low blood pressure) and so can begin working with green stuff as soon as I have mixed it.

If you're just starting off with Green stuff then I will say this, as with all putties don't make the same mistake I did when I first started by trying to make a complete mini, it only ends horribly and gets you exceptionally disheartened. You need to start of slowly with small detail (even filling in gaps in a glued joint is a good way to start)

Procreate

I brought some to this not long ago and to be honest I don't see what all the fuss is about. While it has all the properties of green stuff its not as sticky while many of you may consider this a bonus I don't. There are many looks and techniques that can only (or more easily) be achieved with the stickiness of green stuff.

Milliput

Comes in several different variations and I have used both grey (avoid!) and white which is much better. I use white for making base structures for weapons shields and armour too. It dries rock hard but can be carved and engraved (very handy for battle damage on a sword, armour or shield) However its greatest use IMO is that it can be filed when dry which again makes it very useful for weapon bases. It can also be mixed with other putties too and is handy when mixed with green stuff as you can make good scales and add slash marks to them afterwards similar to the damage on a shield.

Brown stuff

I brought some of this years ago too it’s a bit like green stuff which has been left to dry for an hour or so. Its good for armour and some people use it for weapons too although I personally prefer white milliput.

Apoxysculpt

Quite a good material for stone work as its very sturdy and brittle when dry. It responds to water in a similar fashion as clay but is very difficult for small detail work unlike green stuff. I use it for base armatures for large minis (like Nakai) as it is strong enough that it will not warp when you have extreme poses on a mini (such as an arm holding an massive axe at an angle).

Magisculpt

I brought some to this too recently after seeing some good use in making a large set of wings on Warseer for a scratch build nurgle dragon. However After using some of it I have decided that I much prefer Apoxysculpt.

Overall as I said there is no one or ultimate putty different people simple have different preferences depending on what you find most easy to work with. I prefer and stick with just Green stuff, white milliput and apoxysculpt though I still do have the other putties kicking around.