Suggestion for modeling material?
I make small models (generally around 4 inches tall). My models are very intricate and I would like to maintain this level of minute detail. The problem is that at the moment I work with plasticine with a wire-frame skeleton. While this allows for easy manipulation and wide colour variety without painting, it also means the finished products are very venerable.
What could I use instead?
I have tried fimo, but it is ridiculously expensive and relatively tough to manipulate. Not having a kiln, the only alternate I see is non-firing clay. Are there any other alternatives?
your best options are polymer clays like fimo or sculpey. If you find fimo tough try sculpey, I think I heard that it is softer. Airdry clays aren’t very stable.
Or you can try playing with paper mache (glue based). Cheap, but less detail. But if you use paper which disintegrates easily (toilet paper is made to disintegrate easily) it might be not too bad.
clay skeleton
