The lost mold plaster technique

To make a plaster sculpture I first model my creation in clay. Once the clay is finished, I subdivide the different sections for the molding to be made with thin aluminum plates. A casting is normally in two or more parts depending on the complexity of the shape of the sculpture. A thin layer of colored plaster is applied first and with quick gestures to allow the second layer to be applied before this one dries. This second layer will be thicker to solidify each part of the mold.

After a drying time, the mold is opened to extract the clay and clean the parts. Once finished, liquid soap is applied as a separating agent.

Here begins the plaster cast.

A first layer of rather liquid plaster is spread on it with the help of a brush in order to capture well all the details, then a second layer armed with oakum to solidify before adding reinforcements in the limbs of the body. Once all the borders have been properly cleaned, the mold is closed in order to pour plaster into it along the joining planes.

The next day with a hammer and a chisel we begin to release the sculpture from its mold. The thin colored layer lets you know when you get to the original and you have to be careful to avoid damaging it.

All that remains to do is the retouching work of the joint plans and any other imperfections for it to disappear.