Gypsum is a material widely used in creativity and construction since time immemorial. It is known that it was used in antiquity for the manufacture of sculptures. Today gypsum is used in its work by professional architects and sculptors. Each of us can purchase this material in a hardware store for personal needs. Plaster sculptures are easy to make at home, not being a professional. Detailed instructions and tips for work - especially for you.
The main characteristics of gypsum
In any hardware store you will find gypsum powder or gypsum plasters. The material is made of sedimentary rock - gypsum stone. Such a diverse and widespread use in construction work, gypsum owes its availability in combination with low cost. Working with this material is quite simple. It is necessary to dilute it with water, after which you can proceed to pouring molds or modeling. Attention: gypsum very quickly hardens in air and at the same time slightly increases in volume (no more than 1%). Prepare the solution at once, just before you start working with it. The material is able to convey the smallest details. If desired, gypsum sculptures can be decorated with paints and other finishing compositions, and create a high-quality imitation of a noble stone or metal.
Methods for making gypsum sculptures
If you are not a professional sculptor, it makes sense to start working with plaster with the manufacture of sculptures by molding. This technology involves obtaining finished products by pouring gypsum mortar into molds. Molding is a very simple way to create sculptures, which is suitable even for children's art. With children under 12 years of age, an adult should conduct creative classes. An alternative way to make a sculpture of gypsum is to simulate the desired figure from divorced gypsum on the frame. In work it is convenient to use a variety of spatulas and other tools. What sculptures can be made of gypsum with your own hands? The hardened material is quite porous and brittle. But despite this, it can be used to make street sculptures. Plaster is ideal for creating interior elements and decorative figures. If you are just starting to work with this material, try for the first time to make something small and simple in shape. Gradually improving your skills, you will learn how to create real masterpieces from plaster.
Ready-made or self made?
For the manufacture of gypsum sculptures, ready-made forms can be used. They are sold in creative stores. An interesting idea is to use culinary forms, for example, for ice, muffins or sweets. In collaboration with children, creativity can be used for casting from plaster molds for sand. If you couldn’t find anything interesting, try to make a mold with your own hands. Simple sculptures (for example, interior columns or large mushrooms to decorate the garden) can be made using household appliances. For example, a mushroom hat can be cast in a basin or bowl of a suitable size, and a leg in a cropped plastic bottle. Molds for casting can be removed from any existing figures and figurines. Cover the selected item with cling film. Then cling to it with clay or plasticine. Wait for the material to solidify, then carefully cut the mold and remove the figure hidden inside it. Your home-made mold is ready, now you can make plaster sculptures.
Form preparation and casting
The form needs special processing before starting work. Thoroughly coat the inner walls with petroleum jelly, vegetable oil or paraffin. Pay particular attention to the small elements of the casting. Professional sculptors often prepare special grease for mold processing. Take 2 parts of soap grated on a coarse grater, add 1 part of vegetable oil and 7 parts of water. Stir components until smooth. Lubrication is ready - you can start processing the inner surface of the form. In no case do not skip this step, otherwise you will not be able to pull out the finished product after it hardens. How to make a gypsum sculpture with your own hands, how to dilute a dry mixture? It is enough to mix the powder with water until the consistency of sour cream. Be sure to leave the plaster for a few minutes, and then, having thoroughly mixed, proceed to filling the form. A small amount of PVA glue can be added to water for preparing a gypsum mortar - not more than 25% of the total liquid volume.
Product protective treatment
The optimum temperature for drying gypsum products is 16-25 degrees. Sculptures made by molding should be removed from the molds after full hardening. At this stage, roughness can be sanded with a brush or wet sponge. If you are completely satisfied with the shape of the gypsum sculptures, leave them for a while to dry completely. The next step is to prepare the figures for painting. Apply a special primer in several layers on the entire surface of the product. You can replace it with PVA glue diluted with water. If you made a sculpture that will stand on the street, you can process it with linseed oil or shellac for additional protection.
Sculpture Decor
After drying the primer, you can proceed to the most creative part of the process - the design of the sculpture. Garden sculptures made of plaster must be painted with the most persistent paints. Small figures and children's crafts can be painted with gouache. To paint the sculpture, which will be in the room, you can use any paints and techniques for applying them. After painting, you can additionally cover the product with a layer of transparent varnish to fix the decor. If appropriate, further decorate the gypsum sculptures with decorative elements. It can be individual beads and rhinestones, bows, textile details or special plastic figures.
Useful Tips
Follow all the rules for working with gypsum and the sequence of technological steps. Very often, problems in working with this simple material arise in violation of the technology for making sculptures. Be sure to thoroughly dry the products after removal from the form and only after that proceed to their further design. Try using various shapes to make sculptures. As samples for their manufacture, any small figures, children's toys and household items are suitable. In the described technique at home, you can make casts of hands. Making gypsum sculptures is an interesting and accessible type of creativity for everyone!