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Preparation of Plaster of Paris & Glue Used in Sculpting

Plaster of Paris is a soft cement-like material (calcium sulfate hemihydrate) that is popular for sculpting and crafting applications. Although plaster of Paris is not appropriate for outdoor installations, its versatility and ease of use has made it a standard fine art material. Plaster of Paris powder can be purchased at any art supply store, and mixed with water. However, you can also use white glue to make your own plaster of Paris preparation at home.

Things You'll Need

  • White glue
  • Warm water
  • Bucket or bowl
  • Newspaper
  • Spatula
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay newspaper over your work surface to protect it from any incidental drips or spills.

    • 2

      Pour two parts of white glue into a large bucket or bowl. Beat with a spatula to aerate the glue.

    • 3

      Add one part of warm water to the glue. Stir the mixture until it develops a paste-like consistency and is free of lumps.

    • 4

      Check the consistency of the mixture. The plaster of Paris preparation should be fairly watery, about the same as a thin soup. If the mixture is too thick, add more water and continue stirring until lump-free.

    • 5

      Use your plaster of Paris preparation immediately for best results. Soak strips of paper in the mixture for making papier-mâché crafts, or use your plaster of Paris preparation in mold-making applications.

Sculpture

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