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How to Paint Plaster Molds

The painted plaster mold, which is a negative plaster copy of another object or sculpted design, is a fairly simple craft project with many uses. Plaster molds may be used for children's crafts, such as handprints or masks, or for ornamental home decor, such as wall moldings and ceiling details. Since plaster is a porous material, the painting process is slightly different from painting other objects. The blank molds needed for this project can be made at home using simple plaster of Paris, or they can be purchased from art suppliers and home decorating companies.

Things You'll Need

  • Plaster mold
  • PVA glue
  • Bucket
  • Sandpaper
  • Paintbrushes
  • Acrylic paints
  • Acrylic paint thinner
  • Clear acrylic sealer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mix a solution of PVA glue and water, with a ratio of 50 percent glue to 50 percent water. Make sure the glue is fully mixed into the water.

    • 2

      Coat the plaster mold with the glue solution, using a large paintbrush. Let it dry completely.

    • 3

      Sand a light layer off the entire mold, using a fine grain sandpaper so you have a smooth surface to work with. Clear the dust off the mold.

    • 4

      Lay down your first layer of acrylic paint on the plaster mold. Let this layer dry before adding subsequent paint layers. Proceed as though you are painting any other project, laying down the base colors and then adding shadows and highlights.

    • 5

      Let the paint dry completely. Coat the entire mold with a clear acrylic sealer to protect the paint, and let the sealer dry.

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Sculpture

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