DIY Garden Sculptures

Garden sculptures can enhance your garden and add to the overall design. While there are many sculptures that you can purchase, you can make your own. Cement garden sculptures can be made as a do-it-yourself project using a mold. The sculpture can be left natural or painted based on the style of your garden or personal preference. There are many different statue and sculpture molds to choose from, so you will be able to find one to best suit your garden space.

Things You'll Need

• Cement sculpture mold
• Mold releasing spray
• Quick setting cement mix
• Mixing trough
• Trowel

Instructions

1. Spray the inside of the cement sculpture mold with mold releasing spray. This will lubricate the inside of the mold so that it will release with ease once your sculpture has been cast.

2. Pour the cement mix into a mixing trough and form it into an elongated mound.

3. Drag a trowel through the center length of the elongated mound to make a furrow.

4. Add water to the furrow you made in the cement mix in Step 3. Mix the cement mix with water using a trowel. Continue adding small amounts of water until you have a thic,k batterlike cement mixture.

5. Pour cement into the mold until it reaches the halfway point. Tap the bottom of a mold against a flat work surface to dissipate any bubbles that may have developed in the cement.

6. Fill the mold the rest of the way. Tap the bottom again to remove any bubbles from the additional cement that you added. Place the mold in a dry place for 24 hours.

7. Place the mold upside down on a work surface. Open the mold and peel it from the cement sculpture. Allow the the sculpture to dry for two to five days before placing it in the garden or painting it.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your molds after removing them to keep them in good condition.

• Wear eye, face and hand protection when working with cement.

References

• Garden Statues: How Hard is it to Pour a Concrete Mold?
• Backyards and Gardens: How to Build Your Own Garden Statue