Cut away the bentonite plaster with a craft knife.
Bentonite plaster is a soft workable plaster available for purchase in either carving blocks or powder form. The powdered bentonite plaster mixes with water and pours into the desired mold to create homemade carving blocks. The properties of the plaster make it an ideal carving medium for novice carvers. Simple tools such as a craft knife, scalpel, sharp pointed kitchen knife, ceramic carving tools, dental tools and needle files carve through the bentonite plaster with ease.
Instructions
1. Draw the desired shape of the sculpture on a piece of paper. Make any adjustments to the drawing before beginning the carving process. Begin with a simple design.
For example, carve the initial of your first name. Make the letter with clean sharp edges for easy carving. Trace around front outer edge of the plaster block once. Draw the letter B on the tracing of the front of the block. Draw a second B inside the first so there is at least 3/4-inch between the first and second line. Cut out the letter B including the sections inside the top and bottom loop.
2. Cover the work surface with newspaper. The newspaper allows for easy clean-up. The filings and cuttings are folded up in the paper and then the paper is thrown away.
3. Place the cut out letter B on the front of the plaster block. Line the long edge of the B up against the left hand side of the block. Trace around the paper cutout.
4. Turn the block over. Flip the B paper template over so it is backwards. Line the long edge of the B up against the right hand side of the block. Trace around the paper cutout.
5. Begin removing the unwanted portion of the plaster. File or cut the corners from the plaster and work in towards the drawn lines of the design. Use a flat needle file or a craft knife to cut the bentonite plaster away from the block.
For example, carve the letter B from the plaster by cutting away the top right hand corner of the plaster. Work around the corner to remove the excess plaster. Stop when the drawn line is reached.
6. Use double-edged ceramic carving tools to create designs in the plaster. Position the carving tool on the surface of the plaster. Tip the carving tool at a 25 to 45 degree angle to the surface. Apply minimal force and carve away the desired design in the plaster surface.
For example, carve the indentation between the top and bottom loop of the B using the ceramic carving tool that is shaped like an isosceles triangle. Position the point of the triangle in the indentation made from carving away the excess plaster from the top and bottom loop of the B. Pull the point of the triangle over the surface of the plaster to create an indentation. Repeat the process until the indention is complete.
7. Use a flat needle file to smooth the surface of the plaster. Use the triangle shape to carve grooves into the plaster. Use the round shaped needle file to drill holes through the plaster or create round edges.
For example, file the indentation between the top and bottom loop on the B with a triangle needle file. Place one edge of the triangle in the indentation from carving away the excess plaster. Pull the file back and forth to create a sharp crease between the top and bottom loop.
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