John Carter Medallion - DIY

Welcome to my first project. I will show how I sculptured the Thern Medallion from the Disney movie John Carter. I want to start with, I love this movie. I first searched the internet for the medallion replica, but nothing. So I was forced to make it. It was the hardest and technical thing I have ever made. I have been sculpting for 20years.

Materials:

• Sculpey Clay
• Razor blades
• EasyCast resin
• Iridescent plastic
• Black spray paint
• Devcon 5min epoxy

• Spaz Stix mirror chrome (the best) spray paint

Step 1: Planning and Start Cutting

This was one of the worse parts. I first planned out the scale and size, from pictures online and watching the film. I then made 3 different size triangle-shaped stamps from clay (baked of course). I rolled out and flattened a 4inch x 4inch of clay as my base. I used the triangle stamps and marked up the flattened base. Then baked it (275degs - 10mins).

Then I had to take a razor blade and cut out each tiny triangle. It took FOREVER...

Step 2: Adding and Baking...over and Over

After the base was completed, it was time for the organic and fancy shapes. I use Sculpey clay but I can bake and bake and bake as I add more parts and it stays unchanged. I would sculpt out a part or section then bake it.

Remember this medallion has 2 sides. So I had to repeat these parts for the front and back.

Step 3: The Jewel

In the center of the medallion is an iridescent jewel. I took an extra piece of clay and pressed into it with a rounded plastic cap from my wife's makeup bottles. I did not bake the clay. I then cut up little flakes of the iridescent plastic wrap. I mixed the EasyCast resin and poured it into the clay mold and added the flakes.

After the medallion was painted I Devcon epoxied the resin jewel in place.

Step 4: Painting

The last steps were painting and sealing. First I painted the medallion black. using basic black spray paint. This helps when you are trying to get a chrome look. Next, I used Spaz Stix Mirror Chrome spray paint.

To seal it and protect this piece, I covered in clear delta glaze.

Last I epoxied the resin jewel, added a metal chain.

Step 5: Finished

2 months of work and it was finally finished and displayed.

Thank you.

Comments

[LeslieGeee]

Hi Dustin, The medallion came out beautifully. I work with polymer clay a lot and am wondering what kind or the name of the black spray paint used. Usually there is something in spray paints that will eat away at the polyclay or not dry or just react with the polymers in the clay. I loved the movie although it didn't get good reviews and thank you for transforming the "transporter" so well and sharing your process with us.

[creativedustin5]

Thank you, Lesliegee! To answer your question, I am not sure exactly. I watched a youtube video on created chrome likes, and most videos mentioned that a glossy black base was needed before the chrome spray paint was added on top. I believe it was Rustoleum, but maybe Krylon. It was from lowes. I'm sorry I don't have an exact answer. But I don't do recommend the Spatz Stix mirror chrome spray paint. I have had sculptures ruined my other metallic spray paints that never dried, this one is THE BEST.

[LeslieGeee]

Yes, when I first started working with polyclay I ruined things I made by not using the right types of coloring / paint. Learned by doing then I got smart and looked things up lol. I never used Rustoleum on polyclay because I was not sure what it would do to the clay. I DO appreciate the info on the Spaz Stix and I think If I make the medallion I will get a can in black too. There is too much work in that piece to take chances. I might make a practice square of clay and paint it first with regular acrylic paint first and then use the chrome paint to see how that works. I also just remembered that either Krylon or Rustoleum has the 2x paint specially made for plastics which polyclay is. I also just read that if you need to clean a brush with a solvent it will ruin the clay. Also what I read is that regular Rustoleum / Krylon will break down polyclay and eventually become sticky. I think it will be best to experiment first before using the Chrome paint. OH I also read that the specialty metallics will be ok to use on the clay. Thank you again for your tutorial. I always like learning new things :) Be well, stay safe.

[ThetaCreative]

Really good job on the detail work. I give you a vote.

[creativedustin5]

Thank you!! I appreciate the support

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That's impressive :)

[creativedustin5]

Thank you!