Moulding Part 2.

Moulding Part 2…

Now it is time to mould the detail that we have sculpted. So first we have to prep the clay of our sculpt this is done by applying vaseline to all the white you see on your piece. Then to brush over the clay with talc powder. Then we go on to create a clay wall around the edge of our sculpted piece so that when we pour the plaster over our sculpt it can stay in the areas we want it to. This is done by applying strips of clay approx 10cm hight ti the edges of the sculpt. See pictures below for this information.

To make sure that this wall is as secure and sturdy as we need it to be we have to apply a plaster jacket to the wall. This is done by cutting plaster stripes into the same 10cm width as the wall dipping them into water to activate. Once activated place onto the wall and rub. Apply all around and leave to set for 10 minutes.

Now the next steps are to pour the plaster on to your sculpt. The measurements are 1 cup water  2 and a half cups of plaster powder. 
The first layer is your splash layer so rally work the plaster in to grab the detail of you sculpt. Then the next layer is the one to thicken. To help thicken add hessian strips (one layer)  to the whole of the face going down to the base and cover with plaster. Then leave to harden and set.

Once set, its time to take the wall away and get our mould out start with the plaster and get to the clay you may need a wooden spatular to remove and warm clay. Pictures below show me doing this.

Now it is time to separate the two pieces for this get a hard tool and try easing them away from each other until they come apart. 

Now its time to clean up and from there we are ready to move onto the next stage.