How to Carve a Foam Sculpture
Synthetically composed foam comes in many varieties, all of which are used for different purposes. Some foams -- such as “Styrofoam” which is produced by the Dow Chemical Corporation -- are excellent for insulation. Insulation “Styrofoam” is distinguished from lighter, expanded polystyrene foam by a pink or blue color. Polystyrene foam is white in color, less dense and used often to create foam props and sculptures. With polystyrene foam or bead board and the right tools, a little imagination is all you need when it comes to carving a foam sculpture.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Polystyrene foam sheet(s) or bead board
- Hot wire tool
- Wire rasp or brush
- 220-grit sandpaper
- Shop vacuum
Instructions
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Draw the outline of the shape you want to carve onto the surface of a polystyrene sheet or bead board.
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Use a hot wire tool to cut out the shape along the pencil outline you created. Use the tool first to remove large chunks of polystyrene or bead board, then to remove smaller, more detailed areas, adding form and dimension to your sculpture.
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Use a wire rasp or brush to shape the edges of the sculpture, along the lines you already cut out with your hot wire tool. Round edges and add curves to your sculpture with a wire brush.
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4
Use a piece of 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the rough edges of your sculpture and to refine the final shape of your sculpture.
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5
Remove sand ash, bead board beads and stray bits of polystyrene foam with a shop vacuum. Attach pieces of your sculpture together with a thick epoxy putty. Hold the pieces in place with rubber bands or string while the glue cures. Paint and seal the finished sculpture.
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Tips & Warnings
Carve your polystyrene foam sculpture in a well-ventilated area as hot wire tools release fumes that can be noxious as well as toxic. Wear a ventilation mask or work outdoors when carving. Wear gloves and be careful when using hot wire tools as they can easily burn skin.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
