Make castle models with castle block molds.
Building castles is a hobby that both adults and children can enjoy. You can make castles as simple or as complex as you want, it just takes a little creative thinking, some filo clay and liquid latex. To start you will want to make molds for your castle blocks. You can make one mold but probably want 3 to 5 block molds, so you can make more plaster blocks at a time. Once you build your castle you can make molds of other castle accessories to add to your model.
Instructions
1. Make 3 to 5 1 ½-inch by 1-inch castle blocks from filo clay. Roll short fat coils of clay out and shape the rounded side into square edges with your fingers, use your clay tools to help. Some artists shape the block wall solely with their fingers, while others use a clay knife and the straight edge of a ruler to cut the roundness off and shape the straight edges. Once your block is formed, make indentations and scratches in the block using a stick pin or small wooden clay tool to make the castle block look more realistic.
2. Place your castle blocks on a flat wood or cardboard work surface and spray mold release agent on them, so they can be removed easily from the latex mold you make. Brush on a coat of liquid latex mold on the three exposed sides and two ends of each castle block leaving the side against the work surface free of latex mold. Brush the liquid latex approximately 1/4 inch out from each block side and end onto your wood or cardboard work surface. This will give your mold a slight lip which will allow you to handle the mold without damaging the plaster when it is setting. Follow the package mixing instructions for the liquid latex as these will vary depending on the manufacturer. Wait for the liquid latex to dry for about an hour and brush another coat of liquid latex on the block. Wait for this coat to dry before adding another coat. Allow the castle block mold to dry overnight and remove the filo block from the mold.
3. Place sand in a plastic storage container. Make small holes where the molds can sit without being misshapen. place the molds in the sand holes with all the closed ends sitting down in the sand hole. The mold lips should sit on top of the sand with the block opening clear so the plaster can be poured in. The purpose of the sand is to support the mold and keep it from losing its shape when you pour the plaster in.
4. Mix Plaster of Paris according to the package instructions. Spray mold release agent in the molds and pour the plaster into each mold until it reaches the top of the mold. Allow the Plaster of Paris to set for 30 minutes. Pull the mold from the sand and remove the plaster block. Continue making plaster blocks until you have approximately 25 to 50 blocks.
5. Stack the blocks in the castle shape you want, as if they were Lego blocks. Glue each block in place using wood glue when you have the castle shape you want.
6. Paint the castle with acrylic paints. Brush on undiluted gray, brown, or tan acrylic color. Allow the paint to dry for a couple of hours and add another coat of paint. Add a third coat of paint if the castle needs it.
Related posts
Make a custom non-toxic plaster mold to use in your clay, soap making or wax crafts. You can use nearly any solid object or a dry clay sculpture to form your mold using plaster of Paris, which is...
Face molds are made in many cultures, for many reasons.The making of face molds, or "life masks," for ceremonial use, religious rituals and art has been a common practice in many culture...
Plaster of Paris is used in a wide range of art projects.Plaster of Paris, or gypsum plaster, is a powder used in construction and in arts and crafts. When plaster of Paris is combined with water,...
Mold putty forms silicone, the same material used in many cooking utensils.Most molding materials take hours, even a day or two, to properly cure. However, if you are short on time, there is a qui...
Make Plaster of Paris Hand MoldsYou only need a few ingredients and tools to make plaster of Paris hand molds. These molds will be great keepsakes. They are also excellent gifts for grandparents a...
