how can you sculpt plaster of paris ?

Question

i have to make a mask/model of julius caesar for a project and im not sure how you can mold it using plaster of paris ): please help

Answer 1

Look on line for mask making. You may not really have to use plaster of paris unless it is a formal consideration for an art class project. Look at Roman Art sites to look at the masks to see whats needed. Look for instructions for life masks too. Lots of technique and skills available on line

Answer 2

There are two ways to sculpt plaster of paris.
First, you could mix it, pour it into a large container, then when it has cured and set, you take it out of the container and carve it with hammer and chisel.

For what you are doing (something more delicate) I would suggest casting instead of carving. Make your mask out of clay, then use wood or a box to make a well around it. Pour liquid plaster over the mask, and let it set. Turn it over and remove the clay. You will now have a negative image of your mask. Coat the inside with a release agent, either soap, vaseline, or a special release agent you can buy at the store. Then pour more plaster into it. When it has set, the release agent means you can just pull out a positive image of your mask, exactly the same as the one you made from clay.

That's actually a pretty rough description, its a little more complicated than that, I would suggest looking up a step-by-step for casting plaster on google.

Answer 3

Only enhancing the other answers, there are several forms of plaster of paris beyond the one sold in craft and hardware stores which are sold by ceramics (pottery) supply places. Some are easier to work than others. Common plaster of paris is pretty soft when first set and gets harder and harder over the next day or two.

Answer 4

no problems but better do the mask simple go to the chemist ask for plaster of paris gause find a plastic mask or even a friend as it can be great fun ok here we go place the gause into a bowl of water leave it to soak put on the mask or face all over vasiline if you use areal face give him i straw to breath through now apply the gause in cut strips about 20 cm pushing around the eyes and nose mouth leabe to dry make holes for eyes paint it good luck with your project

Answer 5

USING CLAY AS THE form, the thing you will apply plaster to.
make a head mask of the subject, apply a cling film skin, put the plaster over the outside of the face to give you a reverse mold ,let dry remove cling film, apply a different coloured plaster mix to the inside, let dry remove outer skin of plaster ,because of the colour change you can visually check how much to remove. thats one way .
the other way is to press into the plaster outer a thin mix of clay slip let dry and repeat the steps to conclusion. regards lf