How to Build a Plaster Sculpture

Building a sculpture out of plaster is one way for beginners to learn to sculpt. The process is not complicated and the materials needed to build a plaster sculpture are readily available.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Small bucket
• Plastic container
• Polystrene cups
• Knife
• Spoon
• Sandpaper
• Rasp
• File
• Screen wire

1. Make a rough sketch of the sculpture you want to build. For a clear idea of how your sculpture will look, be sure to sketch the view of it from all angles. If you don't have a clear idea of what to sculpt, you can improvise as you carve.
2. Fill one-third of a small bucket with cold water. If you add too much water, the mixture will take a long time to set and the block will be too soft. If you add too much plaster, the mixture will be too thick and it will harden very quickly. The hardened block will be very difficult to carve.
3. Use your hands to slowly sift the plaster of paris into the bucket. Keep sifting until the plaster is high enough to appear over the water.
4. Mix the plaster and water together with your hand. Mix it thoroughly, yet gently, until it is creamy and without any lumps.
5. Pour the mixture into polystrene cups. Tap the sides and bottoms of the cups to remove any bubbles that might have formed.
6. Wait for the plaster to harden. This should take about a few minutes. When the plaster has hardened, peel the cup off. The block will feel warm to the touch due to the chemical reaction caused by the addition of water.
7. Begin to build your sculpture by transferring your sketches to the block of plaster. Use a knife and a spoon to carve your sculpture. The plaster block will remain soft for several hours.
8. Prepare to finish sculpting when the block begins to feel cold. At this point, the plaster is almost dry. If you continue to carve, your work will start to crumble or even break.
9. Wait for the plaster to dry before you start to smoothen the surface. For this process you will need rasps, sandpaper, screen wire and files.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a milk carton instead of a polystrene cup if you want a bigger sculpture.
• Don't use a metal container to mix plaster. When the plaster hardens you will not be able to remove it from the container.

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