Delight™ - Lightweight Flexible Air Drying Modelling Compound

Very lightweight and easy to use white modelling compound which can be tinted for custom colors. Shrinks slightly when drying, and must be left for several days to dry completely. Takes fine details very easily (from stamps or texture blocks). When dry the finished items are slightly flexible with the texture of dense foam. Delight is useful where a light weight clay, or a tintable air drying modelling compound have advantages over paperclay. It does not dry to quite the hard durable surface of paper clay, but can be protected with finish coatings if necessary.

Delight™ is a lightweight, opaque, non toxic, air drying modelling compound produced by the manufacturer's of Creative Paperclay It can be worked with standard modelling tools or by hand, and is very pleasant to work with, as it appears to contain particles similar to talc or cornstarch, which keep it from sticking to your fingers while working. Delight comes out of the package white, but can easily be kneaded with acrylic or watercolor paints to create colors and color effects.

Delight is very lightweight, less than half the weight of paperclay, and dries to a somewhat flexible, slightly squishy velvety or foam finish. Like paperclay, it shrinks slightly as it dries, and layers more than 1/8 inch thick can take up to five days to dry completely (depending on air temperature and model thickness).

Particularly Useful For - The light weight, and velvety texture of the finished product lend it to miniatures where weight or finish are important. The lightweight makes this ideal for modelling miniature decorations for tiny Christmas trees where other compounds weigh down the branches too heavily or for textured surfaces (brick/stone) on lightweight card or paper structures. It is also useful for modelling larger items where weight is important or where it's texture implies a particular finish. Delight can have the appearance of fabric upholstery when used to model quarter scale furniture, it's slightly foamy finish can make thin layers with a soft drape.

Handling Properties Delight has slightly unusual handling properties, it is very similar to paperclay, but it can be stretched out and shaped with very soft curves. It does not stick to your hands at all, but may need to be moistened to stick to other layers of itself. As an air dry clay, it needs to be kept in a resealable container after opening. Thin layers of the material can be rehydrated by kneading in water. Care must be taken not to add too much water or the material becomes sticky and difficult to work. The surface can be shaped after drying using moist brushes or by applying water to the surface and working with silicone tipped modelling tools. Once dry, surfaces can be painted with acrylics, or finished with coatings. The material is not resistant to water unless coated after it dries, and when dry it must be kept away from open flames. Like polymer clays, it can be finished with pastels or chalks, and it can be cut open after it is dry, moistened, and given some texture to mimic miniature foods. It is especially good for dolls house scale breads and baked goods, where it's slight flexibility after drying gives it the correct 'feel' for bread loaves. When dry, the compound is not as hard as Paperclay, or cured polymer clay. It should not be used for miniatures where a lot of handling is involved, as its flexibility makes it prone to separating or breaking if it is bent repeatedly.

Price and Availability Available through most craft stores which sell paperclay. Price around $10 for 90 grams.