Yes and no. Many of the techniques (including the steps for building the overall structure and individual features) can be duplicated in other types of clay such as oil-based. However, Philippe prefers water-based clays primarily for their ranges of consistency during the sculpting process. Moist clay straight from the bag can easily be manipulated during the rapid build up of volumes. As the work progresses and the clay becomes harder, finer details are easier to achieve all the way to the texture when the clay is almost dry. Furthermore, the piece can be sanded to achieve a very slick appearance (a dust mask must be worn when working with dry clay).