How to Make Foam Sculptures
Foam sculptures can be used in a variety of ways, such as props in school plays to creative advertising purposes. There are unlimited creative possibilities when following the basic steps of how to make foam sculptures.
Things You'll Need
- Expanded polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam
- Foam carving hotwire tools
- Face mask
- Protective eye gear
- Black marker
- Overhead projector
- Paper
- Printer
- Water-based acrylic paints
- Paintbrushes
- Water
- Towels or paper towels
- Interior/exterior foam coat sealant
- Foam glue
- Toothpicks
- Foam finishing coating (epoxy or gypsum)
- 80 to 180 grit sandpaper
Instructions
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1
Transfer your sculpture pattern to the foam with a black marker by drawing freehand or using an overhead projector to project an image to trace. For smaller projects, print a pattern out on a printer, pin the pattern to the foam, and trace over the lines in the pattern leaving an indention. If you are carving a three-dimensional sculpture, remember to trace all sides.
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2
Use a foam carving tool, such as a sculpting tool, freehand router or hot knife, to create the shape of the sculpture following your pattern. Use small movements to shave away foam, creating the initial shape
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3
Use sandpaper to lightly smooth the surface of the foam sculpture.
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4
Use a foam engraving tool to create detail in the sculpture. Hold the engraving tool as if you were drawing with a pencil. Generally, only the tip of the tool heats up.
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5
Use foam glue to glue any separate pieces of foam to the main sculpture. For example, you may wish to glue a small, foam nose to a larger foam face. Insert toothpicks through the small foam pieces to hold in place until the foam glue dries.
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6
Apply a sealant to create a hard surface. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours.
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7
Apply a base color (such as white or yellow) of water-based acrylic paint to the entire sculpture. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.
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8
Paint the sculpture with water-based acrylic paints. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.
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9
Apply a foam finishing coat by painting or spraying to achieve the finished product. Allow the finishing coat to dry for 24 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Use protective eye gear and face masks when working with expanded polystyrene foam, paints, sealants and finishing coat.
