which plastacine should i use?

You should use Lewis Newplast

Oil based clay is the best clay for animation. The best brand is called Van Aken. Van Aken clays come in many colors, is very inexpensive, is animation proven and non toxic. Making new colors out of existing colors from this brand is extremely simple to do. All you will need is a double boiler, a large piece of plastic wrap, and a spatula.

First, boil some water in the double boiler, and place the base color clay you want to change the color of, in the top pot. Once it is fully melted, place different colors of small pieces of clay into the pot to modify the base color. Keep mixing until the clay is completely fluid, and adjust the colors accordingly. Next, place a long piece of plastic wrap on a level table top.

When you have the color clay you want, pour the still melted clay on the plastic wrap slowly, until it is all out of the pot. Any clay left in the pot should be quickly rubbed out with a paper towel so the next time you mix clay in your pot, the new colors wont mix with the old colors. One word of advice when doing this, is to make sure you have plenty of fresh air in your house because the oil can evaporate into the air and make you sick. Also, melted clay can stick to you if it is spilled on your skin, and will burn. Trust me, I have done it a few times and it hurts quite nicely. So use common sense, or ask an adult for help.

thanks guys!

Arghhhhhhh you don't have to mix it by hand? Good to know...

No, thats why I prefer it to NP. For a number of other reasons too. I think NP's colour range is very muted and dare I say...dull? But thats my opinion, I know most/if not all of you use Newplast

Nofby do you think that Van Aken gets softer more quickly than Newplast? I have heard that, but I've only used the first type and am wondering if NP would be firmer.

NP? As in the honourable? Cool I'll check this Van Aken out!

Lol no, just the NP that the ANP uses. Although I did read somewhere they use Aardmix, a secret amended NP.

Yes the Aardman Mix...I know what it is..........Newplast, Beeswax and Dental Wax in my quiz in stop motion magic i mixed it up but that is the Aardman mix

You mixed up the answer or the NP and wax? How does the wax change the consistency? I mean, how does it feel different from just plasticine once it's all mixed together? ...and I guess it's not so secret then

They use Van Aken too apparentally.

mixed up the answer on my quiz on the other site stopmotionmagic but i thnk it makes it easier to animate...i am not sure and i didn't know they used van ken it is more coulourful than newplast

You guys are full of...information, thank you!
Nofby your new film is sounding great, it sounds like you're taking a good approach.

Thanks jills

So I used Nofby's advice on mixing Van Aken yesterday and... brilliant! Thanks for the tip, it was super-easy, just as you said, and I didn't even burn myself, unlike every time I bake something I had to make a large amount of toned-down red so it was really useful.

You live in America? I have to ship some from overseas. Since the characters in my new film only have clay head and hands and real clothes/fabrication for the bodys. I just buy pounds and pounds of beige/flesh tone color.

Hey nofby you know when you do fabrication do you cover the armature in foam or do you just use the fabric. I want to know as i might try that method as i find i am running out of plasticine

Yep, I sure do. Must be expensive to ship that overseas NP doesn't have a good flesh colour, or do you just need it to be easily mixable?

i think newplast flesh colour is ok i use it with my models

I don't use newplast, I said I used Van Aken. I ship flesh colour Van Aken overseas.

How much is it Nofby. And how long does it take to come?

Just getting a Bath be back soon!

I was asking if the reason you get Van Aken flesh colour is the same reason as for the other colours i.e. they're muted or because you want to mix the flesh tones by cooking. I just would have thought NP did a decent basic colour like that, but they must not if it's worth shipping.

i mix my own flesh colour at the moment from purple and white as well as a touch of blue.

I just use the basic Pink colour from newplast, But I might get some Van Aken to give that a go as I like the California Rasiens and they look really smooth so I might test it. Anyone know any online shops for it?

no but you can get a good skin tone mixing red, white, brown and yellow

Ahh, you mis-understand. I could well get Newplast flesh colour, but I don't like the brand generally, so thats why I order Van Aken. Mostly because it has better, more specific colours, it can melted, and...I don't know, I just prefer it. Its really important that it can be melted so I can pour it into molds.

For the film I'm working on now, the characters have replacement mouths. So, it involves molding them in silicone, then casting them - by melting flesh tone plasticine and pouring it in the mold. Then tapping it to realease air bubbles and after that, freezing it for about 8 hours and popping it out. So, is a more technicalway of working with clay, so I need the best material.

Harry, I'm going buy pounds of it this time because I run out alot. Its $16.59 for 7 blocks, but for shipping... well its SO ridiculous, I'll email me friend and ask him why. Heres some extra info people...


Van Aken Plastalina (modeling clay) is a pigmented oil base-modeling compound renowned throughout the world for its smooth consistency and brilliant color range.

The range includes eight spectral hues, seven neutral tones, five earth tones, and four pastels. Twenty-four colors in all. Colors are readily intermixable with ivory and white to obtain tints, with black for shades, and with each other to achieve intermediate hues.

Van Aken Plastalina can be easily modeled by hand, with Van Aken double-ended tools for fine detail, and in certain production applications requiring multiple reproductions, the product may be melted (150° F/65.5°C) and poured into a mold.

Preferred by sculptors, model makers, clay animators and artists of all ages, Van Aken Plastalina is self adhering, non-toxic, never hardens, remains pliable and plastic, can be used time and time again. In fact, like a fine wine or cheese, its consistency improves with age.

ah i see. Well i might try van aken. It looks good from what you have said

woow this thred has been repaeated and repeated lol I use Newplast PLastcine Aardman usit

aardman have tons of newplast ive never seen so much but they use hundreds of other materials too

Ah, thanks Nofby.

i saw it on a creature comforts dvd i think the store room and boxes upon boxes of newplast and there was the bubble gum machine used to mix the materials to make "aardmix"

Hay, nofby? How do you make aardmix? Do aardman always mix their clay? I thought they just used newplast.