Before you begin to read this post there are couple of factors i need to mention & high light first. Well two immediately spring to mind.
1: Now whilst i do not have the 'strength test' results in yet for my experimental plaster pulp mixes I can give you the final three plaster pulp mixes that have come the closest to my personal goals of several ongoing experiments i have so far carried out. You have to remember that whilst this is an ongoing set of experiments initially these pulps are being designed for my own future uses. I want to work more with plaster but combine it with paper mache so i stay within the realms of paper mache at the same time as i have previously mentioned in earlier posts.
2: Whilst i am currently sharing both these experiments, the early mixes/recipes i am/have created during the process so others can experiment with these pulps for their own uses. I will be continuing to experiment with plaster pulps 'myself' to improve the mixes/recipes. Once i find the ultimate mix/recipe (if i do that is) i might choose to keep 'any future' mix/recipe to myself or sell it commercially later. With this in mind the following post reads more like an official copyrighted document than a standard post. The following listed mixes/recipes are free for public use & experimentation at this time. You can use them as you wish, alter the mixes/recipes to suite your own requirements. You can even pass them around if you wish. Though i would ask that you attach the correct listed names & original copyrights as defined below when doing so.
So enough techno babble, lets get to those experimental plaster pulps i have whittled my experiments down to so far:
EXPERIMENT: TO CREATE A VIABLE PLASTER + PULP MEDIUM
EXPERIMENTS BEGAN: 19/11/2010 & REMAIN ONGOING
ORIGINAL EXPERIMENTS CARRIED OUT BY: J JONES
ORIGINAL COPYRIGHTS TO MIXES USED: ©J JONES 19/11/ 2010
ALL COPYRIGHTS RESERVED
GOAL: To create a working medium consisting of a plaster + pulp mixture. Which can be used for & within the existing & excepted boundaries of the art of paper mache & be classified there in as a paper mache construct medium in its own right.
EXPERIMENTAL BATCHES PRESENTED: 3 In conjunction with 3 control batches
EXPERIMENTS LISTED FOR INFORMATION FOR FREE PUBLIC USE: 3
DESCRIPTIVE DEFINITIONS USED (i.e. NAMES) & ACTUAL TITLE
©™PLASTER PULP, ©™WHITE MATTER, ©™GREY MATTER, ©™BROWN MATTER
©J Jones 19/11/2010
WHITE MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL BATCH
12 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 1: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
12 oz white sculpting plaster
4 oz Pre-made (commercial) Clay Crete Pulp Mix (dry out the bag)
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Initially not perfectly smooth as hoped but can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10/15 minutes depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 5/10
WHITE MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL BATCH
14 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 2: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
14 oz white sculpting plaster
4 oz Pre-made (commercial) Clay Crete Pulp Mix (dry out the bag)
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10 minutes a slightly shorter working time period also again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 8/10
GREY MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL
6 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 1: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
6 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz Glossy (Matt) magazine paper (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10/15 minutes a slightly shorter working time period also again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 6/10
GREY MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL BATCH
8 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 2: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
8 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz Glossy (Matt) magazine paper (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10 minutes a slightly shorter working time period also again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 8/10
BROWN MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL
6 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 1: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
6 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz brown toilet roll inner card stock (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 5/8 minutes a much shorter working time period probably due to the brown card stock toilet roll inners used for this pulp being more absorbent than the glossy magazine papers used in the white matter mix but again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 6/10
BROWN MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL
8 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 2: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
8 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz brown toilet roll inner card stock (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 5 minutes again a much shorter working time period probably due to the brown card stock toilet roll inners used for this pulp being more absorbent than the glossy magazine papers used in the white matter mix but again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 7/10
PREPARATION OF THE LISTED PLASTER PULPS MIXES
1: As in accordance with each respective mix measure out the ingredients separately. Keep the plaster dry at all times until mixing of the water applies. Depending on the grade & age of the plaster you are using it WILL begin go off (harden) the instant it becomes wet & WILL reduce your mixing & user time accordingly.
2: Place the ‘pulp’ in a suitably sized container ‘before’ the plaster powder. It is much easier to mix the plaster powder ‘down into’ the pulp & achieve a much more even mix.
3: Dry mix the pulp & the plaster for at least 1 minute or until they both visibly become evenly mixed. Then & ONLY THEN add your water in one go.
4: Mix as vigorously & as thoroughly for at least1 minute with a small wooden stick, spoon or spatula implement as you can or until the mix appears to be as evenly mixed as possible. Try not to leave any ingredients ‘unmixed’ they can & will cause hard unworkable lumps in the plaster pulp mix later & could potentially cause a structural weakness later even when fully dry.
5: Use as quickly as you can within the estimated/allotted ‘use’ time period stated according to each experimental mix above. Remember that above listed & ‘other’ circumstances ‘may’ apply in accordance to you & our location as well as materials used.
6: Be creative, have fun & make some fantastic art.
ADDITIONAL NOTES, THOUGHTS & GENERAL INFORMATION:
The above listed plaster pulp experimental mixes were created for use in my ‘own’ future projects. As such were therefore created with my future projects ‘specific construction methods & techniques’ in mind & at this time will work for ‘me’ as intended. The experimental mixes I have listed above will how ever I think suit many artists newbie or professional basic needs as presented also without any ‘alterations’ being required. However it is a known undeniable fact that every ones needs, methods & various techniques DO vary depending on several factors: climate, variations in sourced materials composition (paper thickness, types of woods & treatments used in the paper/card stock construction etc), mixing times/methods, pulping methods, room temperatures, drying locations & times. Basically the list is endless & is open to debate accordingly but I won’t be addressing these factors here.
With these factors in mind however it MUST be assumed that ‘some’ basic exceptions to my listed experiments & the listed results MUST be given ‘some’ adjustments by other artists when using these mixes. By that I mean you ‘may’ need to make some slight alterations in actual final mix ‘you’ choose to use i.e. more water, less water etc. Whilst the ‘current’ listed experiments & listed results are perfect for ‘my’ needs if you wish to experiment further with these mixes you may wish to try adding an additional ‘bonding agent’ such as gesso or PVA based glues, varnishes etc. If so you MUST keep in mind water based products WILL add to the current mixes water content. As to amounts & their resulting effects I am afraid that is down to your own experimentation & discovery.
Adding ANY oil based products to any of my listed mixes WILL alter the plaster & papers natural bonding abilities to some degree, how much & in which direction I cannot say I can speculated from personal experience that at best oil based additions will retard (slow down) the drying process & at worst weaken the final natural dry bonding effect of the plaster & pulps. Of course it is also fair to say that many, many unexpected results HAVE been found in both unexpected ways & means. The prejudices to adding oil based products is ‘mine alone’ & only based on speculation & personal theories so cannot be totally ruled out in the end. This is down to the experimenter(s).
Adding colour to the mix. This IS entirely possible but would be best carried out at the dry mixing stage just prior to adding water. I would definitely recommend you use water based paints (Tempura) or dry powdered paints. Once again however you WILL have to be aware that water based paints whilst only in a minute way WILL add to & alter the listed/recommended water within each respective mix, dry paint (powders) WILL most definitely have a more dramatic effect on each mix respectively. More attention will be required if & when adding dry pant powders of course but the additional water required would be minimal. Whilst experimenting it is best to remember these small details especially if you achieve working results that you wish to repeat time & time again. Once again oil based products in this case oil based paints WILL have an unknown effect either way good/bad I cannot say.
Whilst the term ‘experiments’ is used through out this document & I wish to encourage this term & practice I have found because of the paper content & it’s pulped nature which is spread out within a plaster base ‘warping’ IS an inevitable factor in the drying process if you try to dry the final pulps created too fast you WILL promote warping from a mild level to a serious level that could ruin your projects final design. I recommend you allow the plaster pulps mixes altered by you or not to dry 'naturally' (air dry) at room temperature that is of a slow if any changing degree throughout the complete drying process. Also you MUST do so on a FULLY SUPPORTED FLAT STABLE surface. If you must promote drying then do so no closer than 1 meter from any heat source especially a fluctuating heat source. NEVER attempt to dry any project using these plaster pulps directly next to or on ANY heat source that WOULD be disastrous to the drying process & potentially your project.
So this is fast becoming a book or mini TV series script in its own rights so I had better close here I think. Before I do pleases remember I AM aware that this type of pulp mix is nothing new & has been experimented over many years by many people. However the particular listed experimental batches/mixes here ARE copyrighted to ME & are the results of personal experimentation & were NOT sourced from anywhere but from my own mind. ANY comparison to existing listed, none listed or current private experiments ANYONE is, has carried out is ‘purely’ circumstantial. I therefore hold to my claim to copyrights to the above ‘listed’ mixes.
I DO however share the ‘knowledge’ of these experiments at this current stage in the creative process to be used by anyone who wishes to use them as they are listed or further experiment with them as they see fit. I WILL be continuing to experiment & improve these plaster pulp mixes myself any results once again that happen to correspond with anyone else’s results is purely circumstantial & not intentional. Any advancements I personally achieve on these current plaster pulp mixes I may keep private in future but this will not reflect on the general publics ongoing use or experimentation of the current mixes listed
On using or further experimenting with these listed plaster pulp mixes you are acknowledging that any un-repairable damage caused to a project you were constructing as a gift, memento, to sell commercially or to show publicly/commercially etc & therefore any loss financial for the project or its intended end use(s) due to damage caused by the ‘listed’ plaster pulps is/was therefore caused by your own hand & by your own intentional usage be it as described here in or otherwise. At no time can I or shall I be expected to or accept ANY responsibility for failure of these plaster pulp mixes causing any potential damage to your property. At no time will i make any compensation reimbursements either.
J Jones
©™ 23/11/210
The results or the strength tests (including pictures) will be posted soon.
1: Now whilst i do not have the 'strength test' results in yet for my experimental plaster pulp mixes I can give you the final three plaster pulp mixes that have come the closest to my personal goals of several ongoing experiments i have so far carried out. You have to remember that whilst this is an ongoing set of experiments initially these pulps are being designed for my own future uses. I want to work more with plaster but combine it with paper mache so i stay within the realms of paper mache at the same time as i have previously mentioned in earlier posts.
2: Whilst i am currently sharing both these experiments, the early mixes/recipes i am/have created during the process so others can experiment with these pulps for their own uses. I will be continuing to experiment with plaster pulps 'myself' to improve the mixes/recipes. Once i find the ultimate mix/recipe (if i do that is) i might choose to keep 'any future' mix/recipe to myself or sell it commercially later. With this in mind the following post reads more like an official copyrighted document than a standard post. The following listed mixes/recipes are free for public use & experimentation at this time. You can use them as you wish, alter the mixes/recipes to suite your own requirements. You can even pass them around if you wish. Though i would ask that you attach the correct listed names & original copyrights as defined below when doing so.
So enough techno babble, lets get to those experimental plaster pulps i have whittled my experiments down to so far:
EXPERIMENT: TO CREATE A VIABLE PLASTER + PULP MEDIUM
EXPERIMENTS BEGAN: 19/11/2010 & REMAIN ONGOING
ORIGINAL EXPERIMENTS CARRIED OUT BY: J JONES
ORIGINAL COPYRIGHTS TO MIXES USED: ©J JONES 19/11/ 2010
ALL COPYRIGHTS RESERVED
GOAL: To create a working medium consisting of a plaster + pulp mixture. Which can be used for & within the existing & excepted boundaries of the art of paper mache & be classified there in as a paper mache construct medium in its own right.
EXPERIMENTAL BATCHES PRESENTED: 3 In conjunction with 3 control batches
EXPERIMENTS LISTED FOR INFORMATION FOR FREE PUBLIC USE: 3
DESCRIPTIVE DEFINITIONS USED (i.e. NAMES) & ACTUAL TITLE
©™PLASTER PULP, ©™WHITE MATTER, ©™GREY MATTER, ©™BROWN MATTER
©J Jones 19/11/2010
WHITE MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL BATCH
12 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 1: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
12 oz white sculpting plaster
4 oz Pre-made (commercial) Clay Crete Pulp Mix (dry out the bag)
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Initially not perfectly smooth as hoped but can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10/15 minutes depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 5/10
WHITE MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL BATCH
14 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 2: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
14 oz white sculpting plaster
4 oz Pre-made (commercial) Clay Crete Pulp Mix (dry out the bag)
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10 minutes a slightly shorter working time period also again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 8/10
GREY MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL
6 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 1: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
6 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz Glossy (Matt) magazine paper (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10/15 minutes a slightly shorter working time period also again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 6/10
GREY MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL BATCH
8 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 2: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
8 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz Glossy (Matt) magazine paper (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 10 minutes a slightly shorter working time period also again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 8/10
BROWN MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL
6 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 1: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
6 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz brown toilet roll inner card stock (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 5/8 minutes a much shorter working time period probably due to the brown card stock toilet roll inners used for this pulp being more absorbent than the glossy magazine papers used in the white matter mix but again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 6/10
BROWN MATTER©™
BATCH 0: THE CONTROL
8 oz white sculpting plaster
10 fl oz Tepid tap water
BATCH 2: COMPONENTS: THE ACTUAL PLASTER PULP MIX
8 oz white sculpting plaster
2 oz brown toilet roll inner card stock (dry lint stage) home made
20 fl oz Tepid tap water
WEIGHT STRENGTH TEST RESULTS:
TEST 1: To be concluded & added
TEST 2: To be concluded & added
SUMMARY:
Mixes well to a good consistency. A relatively easy to work with mix. Again not perfectly smooth as hoped but a slightly better, more consistent mix can be worked to a satisfactory smooth finish as with batch 1 whilst still wet with appropriate tools. Can potentially be worked for up to 5 minutes again a much shorter working time period probably due to the brown card stock toilet roll inners used for this pulp being more absorbent than the glossy magazine papers used in the white matter mix but again depending on room temperature. i.e. A cooler room temperature allows for a slower drying time & therefore a longer working time frame. The final dried mix can be managed as with plaster or pulp mediums respectively in terms of sanding cutting, carving, painting, sealing etc. Best worked with moulds but be keenly worked into chosen mould before setting to one side to allow to dry. Can be easily stand alone sculpted (by itself) or used in conjunction with an armature. Workable armature materials it may bond to are yet to be fully established.
OVERALL RATING: 7/10
PREPARATION OF THE LISTED PLASTER PULPS MIXES
1: As in accordance with each respective mix measure out the ingredients separately. Keep the plaster dry at all times until mixing of the water applies. Depending on the grade & age of the plaster you are using it WILL begin go off (harden) the instant it becomes wet & WILL reduce your mixing & user time accordingly.
2: Place the ‘pulp’ in a suitably sized container ‘before’ the plaster powder. It is much easier to mix the plaster powder ‘down into’ the pulp & achieve a much more even mix.
3: Dry mix the pulp & the plaster for at least 1 minute or until they both visibly become evenly mixed. Then & ONLY THEN add your water in one go.
4: Mix as vigorously & as thoroughly for at least1 minute with a small wooden stick, spoon or spatula implement as you can or until the mix appears to be as evenly mixed as possible. Try not to leave any ingredients ‘unmixed’ they can & will cause hard unworkable lumps in the plaster pulp mix later & could potentially cause a structural weakness later even when fully dry.
5: Use as quickly as you can within the estimated/allotted ‘use’ time period stated according to each experimental mix above. Remember that above listed & ‘other’ circumstances ‘may’ apply in accordance to you & our location as well as materials used.
6: Be creative, have fun & make some fantastic art.
ADDITIONAL NOTES, THOUGHTS & GENERAL INFORMATION:
The above listed plaster pulp experimental mixes were created for use in my ‘own’ future projects. As such were therefore created with my future projects ‘specific construction methods & techniques’ in mind & at this time will work for ‘me’ as intended. The experimental mixes I have listed above will how ever I think suit many artists newbie or professional basic needs as presented also without any ‘alterations’ being required. However it is a known undeniable fact that every ones needs, methods & various techniques DO vary depending on several factors: climate, variations in sourced materials composition (paper thickness, types of woods & treatments used in the paper/card stock construction etc), mixing times/methods, pulping methods, room temperatures, drying locations & times. Basically the list is endless & is open to debate accordingly but I won’t be addressing these factors here.
With these factors in mind however it MUST be assumed that ‘some’ basic exceptions to my listed experiments & the listed results MUST be given ‘some’ adjustments by other artists when using these mixes. By that I mean you ‘may’ need to make some slight alterations in actual final mix ‘you’ choose to use i.e. more water, less water etc. Whilst the ‘current’ listed experiments & listed results are perfect for ‘my’ needs if you wish to experiment further with these mixes you may wish to try adding an additional ‘bonding agent’ such as gesso or PVA based glues, varnishes etc. If so you MUST keep in mind water based products WILL add to the current mixes water content. As to amounts & their resulting effects I am afraid that is down to your own experimentation & discovery.
Adding ANY oil based products to any of my listed mixes WILL alter the plaster & papers natural bonding abilities to some degree, how much & in which direction I cannot say I can speculated from personal experience that at best oil based additions will retard (slow down) the drying process & at worst weaken the final natural dry bonding effect of the plaster & pulps. Of course it is also fair to say that many, many unexpected results HAVE been found in both unexpected ways & means. The prejudices to adding oil based products is ‘mine alone’ & only based on speculation & personal theories so cannot be totally ruled out in the end. This is down to the experimenter(s).
Adding colour to the mix. This IS entirely possible but would be best carried out at the dry mixing stage just prior to adding water. I would definitely recommend you use water based paints (Tempura) or dry powdered paints. Once again however you WILL have to be aware that water based paints whilst only in a minute way WILL add to & alter the listed/recommended water within each respective mix, dry paint (powders) WILL most definitely have a more dramatic effect on each mix respectively. More attention will be required if & when adding dry pant powders of course but the additional water required would be minimal. Whilst experimenting it is best to remember these small details especially if you achieve working results that you wish to repeat time & time again. Once again oil based products in this case oil based paints WILL have an unknown effect either way good/bad I cannot say.
Whilst the term ‘experiments’ is used through out this document & I wish to encourage this term & practice I have found because of the paper content & it’s pulped nature which is spread out within a plaster base ‘warping’ IS an inevitable factor in the drying process if you try to dry the final pulps created too fast you WILL promote warping from a mild level to a serious level that could ruin your projects final design. I recommend you allow the plaster pulps mixes altered by you or not to dry 'naturally' (air dry) at room temperature that is of a slow if any changing degree throughout the complete drying process. Also you MUST do so on a FULLY SUPPORTED FLAT STABLE surface. If you must promote drying then do so no closer than 1 meter from any heat source especially a fluctuating heat source. NEVER attempt to dry any project using these plaster pulps directly next to or on ANY heat source that WOULD be disastrous to the drying process & potentially your project.
So this is fast becoming a book or mini TV series script in its own rights so I had better close here I think. Before I do pleases remember I AM aware that this type of pulp mix is nothing new & has been experimented over many years by many people. However the particular listed experimental batches/mixes here ARE copyrighted to ME & are the results of personal experimentation & were NOT sourced from anywhere but from my own mind. ANY comparison to existing listed, none listed or current private experiments ANYONE is, has carried out is ‘purely’ circumstantial. I therefore hold to my claim to copyrights to the above ‘listed’ mixes.
I DO however share the ‘knowledge’ of these experiments at this current stage in the creative process to be used by anyone who wishes to use them as they are listed or further experiment with them as they see fit. I WILL be continuing to experiment & improve these plaster pulp mixes myself any results once again that happen to correspond with anyone else’s results is purely circumstantial & not intentional. Any advancements I personally achieve on these current plaster pulp mixes I may keep private in future but this will not reflect on the general publics ongoing use or experimentation of the current mixes listed
On using or further experimenting with these listed plaster pulp mixes you are acknowledging that any un-repairable damage caused to a project you were constructing as a gift, memento, to sell commercially or to show publicly/commercially etc & therefore any loss financial for the project or its intended end use(s) due to damage caused by the ‘listed’ plaster pulps is/was therefore caused by your own hand & by your own intentional usage be it as described here in or otherwise. At no time can I or shall I be expected to or accept ANY responsibility for failure of these plaster pulp mixes causing any potential damage to your property. At no time will i make any compensation reimbursements either.
J Jones
©™ 23/11/210
The results or the strength tests (including pictures) will be posted soon.
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