01:25
Faizan
Plaster gauze is commonly used in the medical field. The most popular usage is in making an orthopedic cast - the plaster will hold the broken bone in place and allow it to heal without the risk of further movement. Plaster gauze is nothing but regular gauze cloth that contains plaster powder. It is soaked in water to activate the plaster before applying on the body part where the bone has broken. Successive strips are applied until the entire area is covered with multiple layers. The plaster in the gauze dries quickly and hardens to form a stiff cast that immobilizes the limb and also holds the broken bones in place.
This same technique can be used in arts, particularly for making molds and casts. Plaster bandages are available in art stores that mimic the medical usage.
• They can be used in sculptures, jewelry, dress molds, scenery, craft projects and more.
• They prove especially useful for making shell or mother molds, i.e., a rigid shell over a flexible rubber mold that holds the rubber in place without any scope for distortion.
• You can also use plaster bandages to capture molds directly from the human body. They are the ideal choice for making less detailed molds such as in belly casting (popular during pregnancy).
• Experienced artists even make masks by applying plaster bandages directly on the model's face! It should be noted that a plaster bandage will only capture the shape and form and not finer features or textures.
How to use?
Plaster bandages are available as thin gauze rolls that are embedded with Plaster of Paris powder. All you have to do is roll out a sufficient length and cut thin strips with a scissors. Keep a bowl of warm water handy and dip each strip before squeezing out the excess water. The dry bandage will feel like normal gauze (more powdery), but the water activates the plaster and now it is ready for use. Apply it on the object, rubber mold, belly or face before smoothing it out with the fingers.
Points to note - Ensure that you apply petroleum jelly on the face or stomach for easy demolding. Always start from the outside and work your way towards the centre. Carefully leave the eyes and nostrils area open when making a face mask. Some plaster is bound to drip from the bandages and it is better to cover the floor/clothes with an old cloth.
Continue applying successive plaster strips ensuring adequate overlap between the bandages. Apply at least two layers to ensure a firm and thick plaster mold. The plaster in the bandage will air dry soon enough, say 20 minutes or so. You can even place it in the microwave for quicker setting (obviously not applicable for body molds).
This same technique can be used in arts, particularly for making molds and casts. Plaster bandages are available in art stores that mimic the medical usage.
• They can be used in sculptures, jewelry, dress molds, scenery, craft projects and more.
• They prove especially useful for making shell or mother molds, i.e., a rigid shell over a flexible rubber mold that holds the rubber in place without any scope for distortion.
• You can also use plaster bandages to capture molds directly from the human body. They are the ideal choice for making less detailed molds such as in belly casting (popular during pregnancy).
• Experienced artists even make masks by applying plaster bandages directly on the model's face! It should be noted that a plaster bandage will only capture the shape and form and not finer features or textures.
How to use?
Plaster bandages are available as thin gauze rolls that are embedded with Plaster of Paris powder. All you have to do is roll out a sufficient length and cut thin strips with a scissors. Keep a bowl of warm water handy and dip each strip before squeezing out the excess water. The dry bandage will feel like normal gauze (more powdery), but the water activates the plaster and now it is ready for use. Apply it on the object, rubber mold, belly or face before smoothing it out with the fingers.
Points to note - Ensure that you apply petroleum jelly on the face or stomach for easy demolding. Always start from the outside and work your way towards the centre. Carefully leave the eyes and nostrils area open when making a face mask. Some plaster is bound to drip from the bandages and it is better to cover the floor/clothes with an old cloth.
Continue applying successive plaster strips ensuring adequate overlap between the bandages. Apply at least two layers to ensure a firm and thick plaster mold. The plaster in the bandage will air dry soon enough, say 20 minutes or so. You can even place it in the microwave for quicker setting (obviously not applicable for body molds).
Posted in: arts
