Celluclay in Australia?

Celluclay, I've been told, is just a fancy name for papier mache anyway and you pay for the "correct brand name". I use the cheap'n'cheerful stuff and it's well-behaved: just use a face mask when you're messing with this fine-shredded material. It's workable, light and responds well to having rocks, grass and whatnot being pressed into it, and painting is not a problem. Best of all, it's light. Using buckets of plaster weighs a ton and screws up shelving. To keep dios light, also use blocks of styro glued to the base to form rough outlines of of the groundwork and tissues soaked in a mix of woodwork glue/water to cover the gaps between the blocks, then the papier mache over the top. A note on water - if you want something that you can see through, try Atelier's Impasto Gel. It cures ("goes solid") slowly out of the jar and, unlike casting resin is more forgiving. To add colour, use Tamiya's Clear Colour paints (small amount only) to tint the water.

Chris,

Das Pronto is a self hardening clay (does not need to be cured in an over to harden) that you can get at Hobbyco, Lincraft and Eckersley (all in the city). It doesn't need mixing or anything and is a thicker, heavier consistency than celluclay. It's actually good for laying down contours to your landscape before laying culluclay on top.

It comes in white and terracotta colour and is always good to have some in your cupboard.

Adam.

Thanks all

I've found some celluclay at a store in Kingswood (a long drive from Sydney I hope it's worth it). I have also seen many different types of instant paper mache products in my travels. I paid almost $20.00 AUD for the 1lb pack but I wanted to try it so I paid.

Has anyone tried these other cheaper brands? Are they the same or not worth the bother?

Another store (Mr Craft at East wood) can get celluclay in and orders it all the time for customers. Once again it is expensive. Around $80.00 AUD for the 5 lb pack.

I found this web site http://www.shoalhaven.net.au/~bunyanfilms/Casting/Casting.html and it looks as if they could be cheaper for Australian customers. I wrote to them and am awaiting a reply on freight costs. They have lots of other goodies for the modeller as well (worth a look).

Oxford Art Supplies is another store who could get it in for me, Eckersley's on York St(with whom I am a member) were of less help to me than others. Hey Adam (you Westie he he) maybe if both of us pestered them they might get it in for us. Thanks for the tip on the One Go. I haven't used it on any light surfaces yet so I have not seen the discolouration but I will get the Long Life next time.

Thom thanks for the web sites if things don't work out I may have to import myself.

Adam and Bazza I am experimenting at the moment with Wall tile adhesive at the moment. Yes I've visited the "Selley's" area at "Bunnings" and am at the moment playing with "Fuller Easy Tile" once again a cheap product. It's white so it will be easy to colour. It has come out in a very grouty/cement like texture. I thought it would be more rubery/plasticy but not to be. Been to "Hobby Co" in the city but have not seen "Das Pronto", what is it?

Once again thanks guys and I look forward to telling you the results of my playing with the fillers/mache and the like.

Chris

Oi Chris!
Had the same issues mate. Like you I'm from Sydney. The same stuff can be found in the "Shelley's" products section of any hardware store. Ya know, in the plastic yellow tubes. Same stuff you use to fill chips or holes in a wall before sanding back and painting. Get back to ya asap with name. Also, try Das Pronto - can get that easy from Hobby Co in the city. Grout cement also works very well.

Hope that helps

Chris,

Yeah I am NSW based and Eckersleys was one of the places I tried (the one in York St). I was told there that they could get it in for me - don't know how true that would have ended up being if I pushed for it.

I live in Blacktown (not a word!) and I got mine from a small art store here called Printz Of Art. It was the last pack they had but they said they should be getting some more in.

I've got some Pledge One Go as well but it may be just me but I've found that it dries sometimes with a yellowish tint. This Long Life I've got, came from the supermarket as well, right next to One Go on the shelf actually, and I found it dries alot clearer - you might want to give it a go.

I look forward to hearing how the water putty goes. I'm also curious to try some Tile Grout for a ground base. I collect the Verlinden Military Diorama books and that seems to be a product they use quite alot .

Adam.

Hello

I do not know if this will help but here are some internet sites that sell the product, not sure what the shipping costs would be to send it down under to you folks.

http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/clay/celluclay.htm

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/celinpapmacb.html

http://www.in2art.com/product/255

Hope these help

Cheers
Thom

Chris,
the novice down inder huh? won't comment on that!

I have found celluclay also at art supply places here in Vic (Bendigo) but it seems to be the option of the shop manager as to whether they stock that or something else.
Given the Aussie dollar vs the US dollar situation it may be just too expansive for some to hold since most of their sales may be to poor starving artists residing in the nearest garret!

Yeah I have to agree being here can be a challenge at times especially when tracking down the local matches for Future and so on.

Good to see you here,
Keep posting.
Cheers, Pete.

Thanks Adam

Well at lest I know I can get it if I try harder

I too have a substitute for the much talked about "Future" floor polish but mines "Pledge One Go". I bought it at the supermarket and it cost next to nothing.

As for the Celluclay I will have to look around some more. I went to Eckersleys Art and Craft in Sydney (big Art supplier for Aust) and they couldn't help me. I'll just have to let my fingers do the walking. Adam are you NSW based? I would like to know the store you used.

I'll let you know about the water putty after I play with it a bit. This was also cheap from Bunnings.

Once again thanks for your help and I look forward to reading how others are banging their heads and looking at the great armour and dio photo's. Hey maybe after a while I'll be the one giving the advise.

Chris (the novice down under).

Hi Chris,

Can suck for us here in Australia can't it - trying to find all these products they talk about in the US - don't know how long it took me to find a substitute for the much talked about "Future" polish (It's called Long Life here by the way).

Anyway, I was actually able to find Celluclay in my local Art Store. It cost me about $20-$25 for a block about half the size of a brick, but that should last you anywhere between 3-6 once you mix the water and white glue depending on how big you will make them.

If your local Art Store don't have it, they should know about it and order it in for you - I was told at a couple of art stores that they could do that.

I've found the Art Store quite a good supply of dio supplies - for clays, plasters, acrylic mediums etc....... try it out.

Any other help you need with finding stuff in Oz, just ask.... I think I would have already done all the leg work searching far and wide for suppliers.

Adam.