plasticinen

Plasticine is a soft, malleable modeling material used for sculpture, education, and stop-motion animation. It is designed to remain pliable and reusable, unlike traditional clays that dry or harden. Plasticine typically does not air-dry or bake into a permanent form; instead, it is kept pliable by blending waxes and oils with pigments. The exact recipe varies by brand, but the key property is its ability to be reshaped indefinitely.

Historically, Plasticine was developed as an educational tool and was created in 1897 by William Harbutt in Bath, England. The product name became a generic term for oil-based modeling clay in many languages. It gained widespread use in schools, art studios, and the film industry for quick modeling and stop-motion work. In consumer formulations, Plasticine is usually non-toxic, though it is not edible and should be washed from hands after use.

Uses and variations: Artists and educators rely on Plasticine for sculptural studies, character maquettes, and reusable demonstrations. In animation circles, it is valued for its reusability and the ability to capture subtle changes between frames. Color sets typically include a wide range of hues, and some brands offer scented or textured variants.

See also: modeling clay; polymer clay; air-dry clay; stop-motion.