Monster Clay 33rd Anniversary "Snarly" Medium is the special anniversary edition of the professional clay that has become the industry reference in special effects and sculpture. Formulated with non-toxic Food Safe ingredients, sulfur-free and in an exclusive green colour, it is compatible with platinum silicones and can be reused indefinitely. If you are looking for a medium-hardness professional clay to work at the level of film and television professionals, this is your choice.
Technical specifications
| Feature |
Value |
| Edition |
33rd Anniversary "Snarly" (limited edition) |
| Hardness |
Medium |
| Colour |
Green |
| Weight per unit |
2.05 kg (4.5 lb) |
| Base |
Oil-water |
| Sulfur-free |
Yes |
| Toxicity |
Non-toxic, Food Safe ingredients |
| Reusable |
Yes, indefinitely |
| Compatible with platinum silicone |
Yes |
| Heating method |
Microwave or oven |
| State at room temperature |
Firm, captures fine details |
| State when warm |
Pourable fluid, high plasticity |
What it is used for
Monster Clay 33rd Anniversary "Snarly" Medium is the go-to choice of professional sculptors, special effects artists and prosthetics makers. Its medium hardness offers the perfect balance between workability and the ability to retain fine details. Being sulfur-free, you can apply platinum silicone directly onto the sculpture with no risk of cure inhibition.
- Character and creature sculpture for film and television
- Prosthetics and make-up special effects modelling
- Creating masters and patterns for silicone moulds
- Life-Cast: correction and detailing of facial or body moulds
- Sculpting large pieces (heads, busts) thanks to its high plasticity when warm
- Industrial prototyping and product design
- Professional sculpture training and workshops
How to use it
- Prepare the required amount: remove the block of Monster Clay from the container. For small sculptures a portion will be enough; for large pieces such as a full head, use the entire block or combine several units.
- Heat the material: place the portion in the microwave in short intervals of 10–15 seconds, or use an oven at low temperature (do not exceed 93 °C). Only heat what you are going to use at that moment.
- Check the consistency: the clay should be mouldable and ductile, but not liquid. Wait a few seconds if it is too hot before handling it.
- Model by hand or with tools: work the main shape with your hands and refine the detail with sculpting tools and loop tools. At room temperature it progressively regains firmness, allowing you to refine detail.
- Refine cold: once the sculpture has cooled down, the medium hardness of this Monster Clay allows you to work the finest details with spatulas and loops without distorting what has already been built.
- Prepare the mould: when the sculpture is finished, apply platinum silicone directly onto the piece. Being sulfur-free, there is no risk of inhibition.
- Recover and reuse: after demoulding, collect the leftover Monster Clay, reheat it and blend it back with the rest of the material. It does not degrade with use.
Usage tips
Temperature control for optimal working
The key to Monster Clay is controlling the working temperature. In summer or in warm studios, the material may soften more than desired: work in small blocks and keep the rest at room temperature. In winter or in cold studios, heat slightly more than usual and work quickly during the volumetric phase. For fine detailing, always work cold.
Mixing hardnesses
You can combine Monster Clay Medium with the hard version to obtain a custom intermediate stiffness suited to your project. Heat both materials separately and blend them together while warm until homogeneous. This technique is common in character sculpture where some areas (nose, ears) require more firmness than others (cheeks, forehead).
Cleaning tools and surfaces
Monster Clay residue on metal tools can be removed by briefly heating and wiping with a cloth. For work surfaces, isopropyl myristate acts as an effective solvent: check out Isopropyl Myristate from Feroca. Avoid harsh solvents that could contaminate the leftover material you intend to reuse.
Frequently asked questions
What hardness of professional clay is best for beginners?
Medium hardness is the most versatile and recommended for the majority of projects. Monster Clay 33rd Anniversary "Snarly" Medium offers an ideal balance: firm enough to capture fine details at room temperature, and easily workable when warm for building up volumes quickly. If you work very large pieces and do not need much detail, the soft version is more comfortable; if you prioritise extreme detail on small pieces, consider the hard version.
Is this clay compatible with platinum silicones?
Yes. Monster Clay 33rd Anniversary "Snarly" Medium is formulated without sulfur, which is the main inhibitor of addition-cure (platinum) silicones. You can pour or apply platinum silicone directly onto the sculpture without any prior treatment. This is one of its main advantages over conventional sulfur-containing clays.
What materials inhibit platinum silicones?
Platinum silicones can have their cure inhibited by contact with: sulfur-containing clays, latex, petroleum jelly, uncured epoxy, urethane rubbers, freshly casting polyester and certain metals or unsealed surfaces. Monster Clay is sulfur-free, so it does not present this problem. If you have doubts about another material in your sculpture, always carry out a cure test on a small area before moulding the entire piece.
Can the clay be reused once it has been used?
Yes, Monster Clay is reusable indefinitely. Simply collect the leftovers after demoulding, remove any visible impurities, heat the material and blend it back into the main block. It does not lose its properties with use or repeated heating, provided you do not overheat it for prolonged periods.
How much material do I need to sculpt a full head?
For a full life-size head plus part of the neck, the usual amount is between 4 and 6 kg of clay, depending on wall thickness and whether it is built over an Armature or core. A 2.05 kg unit of Monster Clay 33rd Anniversary "Snarly" Medium may be sufficient for smaller pieces or to complement a foam or polystyrene core in larger pieces.
How do you correctly heat a professional clay of this type?
The most controlled method is the microwave in short intervals of 10–15 seconds, stirring between each interval to distribute the heat evenly. You can also use a conventional oven at low temperature (maximum 93 °C). Avoid exceeding these temperatures: the material could release oils or lose its properties. Never heat it directly over an open flame.
Is it safe to use in workshops with children or in spaces without ventilation?
Monster Clay 33rd Anniversary "Snarly" Medium is formulated with non-toxic Food Safe ingredients and does not emit harmful vapours under normal conditions of use. However, when heating it in a microwave or oven, it is advisable to maintain basic ventilation in the work space. For professional use in studios, it is always recommended to follow good occupational hygiene practices.
What is the difference between this Monster Clay and other professional clays in the catalogue?
The main difference compared to other clays such as Chavant Medium lies in the formulation: Monster Clay has an oil-water base and is sulfur-free, making it directly compatible with platinum silicones without any prior sealer. Chavant is also sulfur-free and an industry reference, but with a different formulation that can yield different results depending on the technique and the type of surface finish you are looking for. Both are reusable and of professional quality.
