Ha-Clay-Luiah! U.K. Stop-Motion Artists Get A New Plasticine Option With Chroma Clay

Animation Supplies has launched Chroma Clay, a new UK-made plasticine developed specifically for stop-motion animation following the closure of Newplast’s factory, a loss that left many animators searching for alternatives.

For years, Newplast had been a staple material for stop-motion productions, including providing its goods to the legendary Bristol studio, Aardman Animations. Concerns about the factory shutdown gained wider attention after a report in The Telegraph suggested that studios could face shortages of suitable modeling clay, although Aardman was quick to deny that its work would be affected.

Animation Supplies founder Andy Simmons said the company decided to create its own product after testing other materials on the market and finding they did not reach industry standards set by Newplast’s goods:

Having supplied the animation industry with Newplast for as long as I can remember, we were shocked and saddened by the closure of their factory. Having tested all the other options available and finding that none were suitable for the demands of stop motion, we set about developing our own product. It’s been a labor of love for the last couple of years, but the effort has paid off, and we are extremely pleased with the result.

According to the company, Chroma Clay was developed with input from professional animators and studios and is intended to balance sculptability with durability during longer shoots. The material is soft enough for fine detail work while remaining firm enough to hold its shape under studio conditions.

Unlike Newplast, Chroma Clay uses a wax-based formula, allowing it to be melted for color mixing and mold work.