Where Do I Begin?

Question:

Where Do I Begin?

I would love to begin sculpting but I need some experienced advice. I can't go to school right now so I'd like to buy some materials & dabble in it to see if I like it & if it comes to me easily. Are there "starter" kits? Where do I go for the stuff?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'd visit your local Michael's or Hobby Lobby and pick up a basic set of sculpting tools (I recently bought a set for about $4) and any kind of clay you want. Sculpey is easy to use since you bake it once you're done with it, but there are also other clays. Self-hardening clay dries overnight, so you have to make sure that whatever you're doing with it is quick and not as detailed. There are also oil-based clays (I really like those) that react to the heat in your hands. The more you knead the clay, the softer it gets and it's easier to use. The only thing about oil-based is you have to paint glue onto it if you want the shape to be kept. There's also what I think is a water-based clay that you use with slip (watered-down clay) and scoring that is eventually fired in a kiln. If you want to dabble in it to see if you like it, I also suggest a book about ceramics or sculpting, from your library if you would rather not buy one. I did a lot of sculpting in high school art and I loved it, so I wish you good luck with it. It gets to be very therapeutic.