CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Plaster of Paris & Plaster Gauze

NECKLACE OF A LOST CIVILIZATION

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Collage element and cast objects adhered to a lace-covered panel and coated with plaster of Paris; a tinted wash of acrylic finished the look.

Ooh la la—I feel so French when I work with plaster of Paris! Swirl it, trowel it, cast it, sing French songs! Or pretend you are a doctor as you make casts with the plaster-coated gauze. Wrap it, cut it, shape it! This product has been in use for centuries for both functional and creative purposes. It is fast-drying and sturdy when sealed. You can paint directly on the plaster, although you will find it very absorbent. Or you can coat it with a polymer matte medium before painting (this is a big help if you are planning to paint or stain the plaster).

Several of these techniques also work with joint compound and Venetian plaster.

MATERIALS USED IN THIS CHAPTER:

• board, canvas or wood
• bubble wrap
• ceramic or plasticine clay
• cooking spray
• doilies and lace
• frames
• gessoed board
• glue
• mark-making tools
• objects to cover or dip
• paint or gold leaf
• plaster gauze
• plaster of Paris
• plastic sheet
• rolling pin or brayer
• sandpaper
• silicone mold
• stamps
• stiff brush

Plaster Tips

• Wear a face mask as a health precaution when working with plaster and powdered pigments.
• There are so many ways to cast with plaster. See the chapters on casting, molding and armatures for more ideas.
• The flexibility of plaster gauze gives you a variety of options to play with. Add paint, cut up, collage, sew or combine with other techniques in this book.