Plasticine is the legally registered brand name of a patented product that can be molded in a manner similar to modeling clay. Plasticine, however, remains pliant so that the artist does not have to be concerned about it becoming too hard or dry to manipulate. Created by an Englishman named William Harbutt in 1897, oil-based Plasticine shaped models can always be re-formed or changed which makes this substance the perfect material for a great number of art and crafting projects. Plasticine is composed of the following ingredients:
While the original composition of Plasticine resulted in a grey-colored product, it was first marketed to the public in four different hues. Once it gained popularity and began being used as a material in art classrooms and as a child's crafting product, the Plasticine line was extended to include an exciting number of brighter tints.
Plasticine has the following qualities which make it superior to some of the other types of modeling clays on the market:
It is important to recognize, however, that Plasticine does combust at high temperatures and does have a melting point.
Plasticine has found its way into every type of artistic endeavor, including typography, claymation, illustration, and web and installation designing. It can be found in the following venues:
Plasticine is particularly popular in some of the advertisements found in Germany, Brazil, Germany, and India. In addition, Plasticine is used to create miniature versions of babies that look so life-like that they have become collectible objects of art.
The Disney Company has probably advanced the reputation of Plasticine the most by using this material in some of its high profile claymation movies, such as Toystory 3 which became the highest grossing animated movie. Because it is an excellent toy for children who love to use it repeatedly, Plasticine is marketed in several kinds of activity kits specifically targeted for those younger than ten. These include some sets which have associations with popular book and cartoon characters that children find attractive. Art activity kits containing Plasticine have been created with Paddington Bear, Noddy, and Thomas and Friends. Some of the Plasticine art kits even come with tools that are appropriate for cutting, scraping, carving, and shaping this special clay.
A company called Flair Leisure now holds the trademark for Plasticine and is marketing it worldwide. Plasticine has even been used to create a display which was entered into the Chelsea Flower Show. This amazing array of sculptured Plasticine plants and flowers were molded by over two thousand volunteers and used over two tons of this modeling substance. Although it did not win because it was a fake garden in competition with live plants, it did receive an honorary award for its use of the twenty-four colors of Plasticine in such a unique way.
