Chameleon Clay Book
“An experienced teacher, Tory’s videos and courses at ArtRanch, and past articles in Ornament, are as much a lesson in life as in making art. Both philosophy and techniques are clear and well-blended in this volume, offering a vicarious taste of this talented author’s teaching style”
Robert Liu, Ornament Magazine, 2007: “Publication Reviews”
Polymer, The Chameleon Clay:
ArtRanch Techniques for
Recreating the look of Ivory, Jade,
Turquoise and other Natural Materials
Victoria Hughes Krause, 2002
144 pages,
$23.95 >web special $20.00
email me for a paypal invoice, or use the large button at the bottom of this page.
victoria@toryhughes.com
Abundant color photographs
B/W diagrams and illustrations
Overview of the material and processes
Specifics of imitative techniques
Fifteen projects
Gallery section of various artists’ work
Templates and resources
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Before You Begin
- A word about Making Things
- A Word about Color
- A Word about Variation
Chapter 2: Imitative Techniques with Polymer Clay
- A Perceptual Exercise
- Color
- Translucency
- Surface
- Patina
Chapter 3: Materials and Tools
- Materials
- Tools
Chapter 4: Foundation Processes
Prebaked Processes
- Clay Body as Stock
- General Guidelines for working with Polymer Clay Products
- Condtioning the Clay
- Making Clay Bodies
- Understanding Opacity and Translucency
- Mixing Opacities and Translucencies
- Storing Mixed Clay Bodies
- Using a Food Processor
- Flattening Polymer with a Glass
- Flattening Polymer with a Pasta Machine
- Feathering to Blend Colors and Attach Clays
- Metallic Powders and Paints
- Working with Wire, Decoratively and Functionally
- Embossing
- Using a Release Agent or Mold Release
- Making and Using Molds
- Baking and Rebaking
- Prebaked Inlays
- Prebaked Checkerboard Canes for Inlays
Postbaked Processes
- Hand Sanding
- Texturing, Scribing, Scratching, Marking and Cutting
- Carving
- Drilling
- Paints for Antiquing, Coloring, and Metallicizing the Surface
- Buffing or Polishing
- Gluing Polymer and Mixed Media
- Lacquering Polymer Clay
- Having Fun
Chapter 5: Introductory Projects
- Imitating Turquoise
Turquoise Beads - Imitating Lapis
Lapis Lazuli Bird Earrings - Imitating Jade
Three-color Jade Bowl - Imitating Coral
Coral Bead Necklace - Imitating Amber
Amber Beads - Imitating Ivory
Ivory Heart Brooch - Imitating Agate
Banded Agate Dish - Imitating Metals
Silver Spirals Picture Frame - Imitating Faience
Footed Faience Bowl
Chapter 6: Intermediate Projects
- Lapis and Ivory Accordian Book
- Inlaid Turquoise Clock
- Inlaid Ivory Tusk Pendant with Coral and Lapis
- Jade Ginko Leaf Necklace
- Inlaid SIlver Frame
- Agate and Gold Earrings
Please contact me if you have any questions! Thanks for your order- Tory