Adding Plaster to Sculpture
Gypsum plaster, more commonly known as Plaster of Paris, is a form of sculpting material that is mixed with water to form a paste suitable for coating a preshaped mold. It is a popular medium for sculpture, because unlike other forms of building material, it remains relatively soft and malleable after it dries and sets, allowing it to be sanded or delicately carved to make fine details in the surface. Adding plaster to your sculpture's mold should be done immediately before painting it, so that the plaster absorbs the pigment while it is setting, preventing it from fading over time.
- Plaster powder
- Bucket
- Large stirring paddle
- Water
- Paintbrushes
- Wax mold
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Instructions
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1
Mix your Plaster of Paris powder with water in your bucket in a ratio of 2 parts powder to 1 part water. Stir the mixture thoroughly with your paddle until it becomes a smooth, viscous paste, taking care to eliminate any air bubbles that form on the surface.
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2
Remove the paddle and allow the mixture to set for approximately one minute.
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3
Dip your paintbrush into the plaster mixture and apply it in light, even strokes across the entire surface of your sculpture's wax mold.
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4
Apply more coats of the mixture as needed to form a thick, even coat of plaster over your entire mold. You do not need to wait for your original coats to harden.