When you made your plaster mold you carved into clay making a positive form. When you cast it in plaster, it turned it into a negative form. Now when you cast the mold, you will be turning it back into a positive form.
The first thing you need to do is go back to our papermaking and get a good batch of fine pulp ready. This is a good project for outside in the summer as it can get messy and the sun will aid in the drying of the pulp.
Some people like to prime the mold with oil or vaseline to make removing the material easier. If you do use oil, make sure not to let it pool as this will distort your mold. If you use vaseline, it is important to apply the coating thin and even.
Using your pulp, fill the mold, gently urging the pulp into all of the cracks and crevices. Give the entire mold a thick coating of the pulp. As it dries, the pulp will compress and be much thinner. Pour off excess water so it does not pool into low spaces. When you are satisfied with the density, place mold in a nice sunny spot to dry. You can leave it out overnight if you don’t live in a damp climate. If the climate or critters are a problems just bring it in for the night. It will still continue to dry.
You can check for dryness by touch initially. Any dampness on the surface means more dampness underneath. It is important to let it dry completely. If you try to remove it from the mold before it is completely dry it will come apart in pieces.
When you are certain the paper is thoroughly dry, gently begin lifting it at the corners and work your way around the edges. The deeper your more was the gentler you will need to be.
You now have your first casting. Now What?
There are limitless projects you can do with these. As 6” x 6” tiles, you can create a series of them and use them as a frieze around the wall of a room. You can paint, stain or varnish them. The element that makes these truly remarkable is the weight. They are extremely lightweight. This allows for very large sculptures to be made and installed without added support needing to be given to a wall.
Try making some in different sizes. Make four and attach them to make a three dimensional lampshade sculpture, Create a six foot by six foot wall sculpture. Use this to create a textural ceiling tile or the surfaces to a special treasure box. The options are only limited by your imagination.
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