Tips on getting styrofoam ready for painting?

Question

I want a smoother surface and the paper mache doesnt stick too well. Are there other things I could use to cover it?
Or, do you have any other suggestions on a different material to carve on? I want something easy to use. This is my first attempt at carving/sculpting.

Answer 1

Do you want to actually "carve" or do you just want to "sculpt" or model? If you want to use "styrofoam" which is actually polystyrene foam, you can get a much smoother result with the type that's sold as various kinds of insulation at home improvement stores... it comes in sheets, but can be glued into stacks which are then carved (with knives of various types or or with "hot tools" of various types.

There's a bunch more info on the types of polystyrene foam, where to buy them, etc., on this page at my site:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/covering.htm
(... click especially on the category under "Plastics" called TYPES OF POLYSTYRENE FOAMS and also CUTTING, SHAPING, GLUING....)

If you want to use a clay that you can then paint, you can get lots of info on doing that at other pages on my site:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/sculpture.htm
http://glassattic.com/polymer/sculpting_body_and_tools.htm
(and also look in the alphabetical navigation bar for the pages called "Heads" and "Kids" > Sculpting and maybe "Armatures-Permanent")

(You can also build the color right into the clay, rather than painting on top of it, but if you want to paint on top of polymer clay, check out this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/paints.htm
then click on "Preparing the Clay")

Or you can use some of the same info to shape air-dry clays like Creative Paperclay, Makins, etc.


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

I always give it a coat of Modge Podge to seal it. If you want a perfectly smooth surface, sand it with another piece of the Styrofoam or a piece of sandpaper, then apply the Modge Podge.

Answer 3

Years ago I took an art class (learning to work with preschoolers) we mixed a little comet or ajax in with tempra paints and it stuck to stryofoam. I don't know if it will work with other paints. Dish soap may also work.