Mixing Moulds & Casting Sculptures
- Megan Wortley
- Dec 6, 2017
- 3 min read
Clay Mould!
STEP 1:
find odd bits and bobs and create a pattern/ texture!
I used screws-nails-pallet knife- the end of a paint brush and loads of other things!
I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so I just began to build a pattern up hoping it would look cool!
so having squished clay into the bottom of a plastic tub I literally screwed the screws into the clay.
STEP 2:
Plaster!
I mixed 2 parts plaster with 1 part water.
TOP TIP FROM MEG: wear disposable gloves when mixing the plaster.
It can be very messy, and this helps make it a little less so!
when the mix begins to get warm and smooth you know its ready.
simply pour the mix into the clay mould and leave to set!
STEP 3:
Wait for it to dry!
Then pry the plaster off of the clay.
TOP TIP FROM MEG:
It can stick in places, so be sure to go around the edges with a pallet knife and to take your time when pulling off the mould.
It reminded me of like a ruined city or underwater coral...
So I painted with watercolours, trying to get some oranges and greens to take this theme a step further.
Its not amazing but I do find it interesting and this style of mould making is very effective and I would definitely use it again!
MY FAVOURITE TEXTURE
Are the screws! / The middle section!!
Alginate is something I have never used before, but I was up for giving it a go!
to create a mould with it you have to mix the 1 part powered with two parts water.
This type turns pink as you mix it but goes white as it drys.
TOP TIP FROM MEG:
You need to act fast with this so have everything prepared before hand, also having a partner in this is definitely needed, as you need to have covered one of your hands in Vaseline.
As soon as the powered has dissolved and the mix is smooth, put your Vaselined hand into the position you want and hold it completely still in the mixture.
At first the mix is freezing but it is the weirdest feeling when it starts to harden and go warm.
once it has gone a solid/ jelly like texture, move your hand around a bit and slowly remove it from the tub.
I decided to do my mould into a fist however this can be dangerous as it can trap air in between your palm and fingers, this would make it tricky to get out, however thankfully I was able to not have this issue.
Having made the mould of my hand, I remixed some plaster and poured it into the newly made mould.
Again leave it to set.
I left both moulds for 3-4 days before trying to get them out.
How do you remove the sculpture from the Alginate?
Firstly you need to remove the mould from the tub it has been sitting in.
then you simply cut away the Alginate jelly with a scalpel and you are left with your plaster hand.
Again I painted it with watercolours.
my aim was to create a galaxy marble effect, which I think I got!
I really like how this turned out.
This way of making moulds can be very effective and detailed, so I would definitely consider using for future pieces.
I do prefer to make sculptures by hand rather than moulds however this exercise was very interesting and i think is a good skill to have.
THINGS TO REMEMBER...
-Do not breath in the plaster, you can wear a mask to help with this.
-Do not touch the plaster as it dries, it gets hotter as it does, so keeping your hands clean of plaster is very important!
-DO NOT PUT PLASTER DOWN THE SINK!
this will block the drains!!
-Remember to put Vaseline on the skin that goes into the Alginate!
-Be careful with any other tools and have fun!
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