We start with the basics, cutting the material is really
easy, you just 'score' it with a box cutter or a utility knife and just snap
it at the cut. Remember that you can always cut more off, or sculpt it off,
but you cannot add material back on. Sort of like a hair cut. The simple
facts of sculpting Styrofoam is that there is not right or wrong. It is all
what you make of it. The second (2nd) thing to be aware of is that when you
are sculpting the foam, be very careful that you do not remove too much that
your building(s) will not fit on the space you allowed for. You risk loosing
real estate while carving if you are not careful. Again, you can remove more
but you cannot add. Finally, it is all in the wrist. The more you move your
hand and wrist, up down, in, out, front wise, back wise, the more elaborate
your 'snowbanks' will be.
As the group watches intently, they cannot wait to get their hands on the toys that Kirk brought to give it all a try for themselves. Unlike a lot of seminars, this was a hands-on event in that the group got to try these techniques for them selves while Kirk was still there to answer questions and to assist in the movements.
One of the many tools in the toy box is a drywall knife,
found at your local hardware store. It is really great for cutting into
large depths of foam and for opening up big sections that you will not be
showing to your viewers. Please note, it is REALLY messy to use, but VERY
effective.
As Kirk demonstrates the tools of the trade, so to speak, he continually reminds the participants that there is NO RIGHT OR WRONG. It is all what you like and how you like it at the end of the day. As Kirk uses the Hot Wire cutter, he shows us how to let the wire do the work. Do not force it, let the heat do the hard stuff. Again, remember that you can always take off more, you cannot add.
Kirk then illustrates how he cuts through multiple levels or pieces of Styrofoam at the same time. Sometimes you can use bamboo skewers to hold the 'levels' together, or use low temperature hot glue. You do need to be a little cautious that the opening on your Hot Wire is big enough to go through all of the levels that you have stacked together. Kirk then showed us how you can manipulate the Hot Wire into a loop configuration to 'blend' different levels of foam together too.
Finally after Kirk got done having his fun, the Wacky Willagers got a whack at it. Trying all of the things that they observed. Playing with it right away helps the memory...
As the group has their fun, Kirk offers a little support to the timid, as will as a lot of encouragement from the group. Part of what we do for each other.
Sculpting Styrofoam is all in the wrist. As we all played with the toys and making a mess of Suzie's Hallmark with the little scraps of foam, we had a lot of fun and learned a little something along the way.
All in the wrist, take a little at a time, you can remove more, you cannot put back. Practice, practice, practice. Glad Fred and Suzie were there to clean-up.
Keep trying, you CAN get the hang of it.
Kirk also showed his home-made mambo-hot wire cutter, but that is yet another story.