Corn on the cob?

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Casting from our moulds! To crack open our mould (image 1) we inserted the metal leaf tool into the seamline and twisted it. The mould should then split in half revealing the fruit. (image 2)

Pick the fruit out. We then painted "soft soap" mixed in water onto the mould, this will be the barrier between the mould and the plaster piece of fruit. Then put first layer of plaster into mould, added "plasterers scrim" (this is an open weave hessian) for reinforcement. (image 3) More plaster on top of this.

Finally, generously with hand, splash water over both sides of mould. Don't let it create a pool though, pour out. Then do the same with more plaster. Using the 4 keys as the guide quickly fix the two sides together. Plaster WILL go everywhere. Leave to set for about an hour.

With a malette and old chisel begin cracking away at the mould on one side at the white layer first. Underneath will be the dyed layer, continue to remove this too. Object will gradually be revealled. Repeat on other side. Careful not to chisel the object.

It was so satisfing to see the corn on the cob after the two days work. Eager to paint it.

Next stop Wood workshop today (in 3 hours!)

Mould making

Now onto workshop inductions...

Today I made a mould for a piece of corn on the cob. Instructions as follows:

1. Find horizon line on the object. (halfway)

2. Place fruit on a board and create a bed of clay around it 2inches thick, 90 degree angle.

3. Impress 4 keys (circles).

4. For the plaster-mix some pigment with water, gradually add plaster in hand fulls until the plaster sits on surface. Bang bowl on table so the plaster is absorbed. Then mix with hands and apply to mould with a flicking movement. Plaster should be of a double cream thickness, try to create as much texture as possible on mould. Blow on plaster to push into details and eliminate air bubbles. Scrap around the edge of the mould to keep clean.

5. Add another layer of plaster (mixed with water only, no dye).

6. Leave to set for 1 hour.

7. Turn mould over and remove clay.

8. Cut the edges off the mould (pictured)

9. Apply a release agent-slip (clay and water) with brush around fruit.

10. Repeat step 4.

11. When set cut grooves across seamlines.

12. Wrap mould in polythene to keep damp for casting.

Casting on thursday. Thoroughly enjoyed today.

Final Blitz Street Set model

The finished Blitz Set! ABout 50 of us have worked on this for past two weeks. It's been a great experience. I was particularlly impressed with the group working on the cars/bus. The shapes you can make with corrgated cardboard is suprising. Next stop, three weeks, three workshops, casting/moulding, metal work, wood work. We have to choose a piece of fruit/veg to cast. I thinking corn on the cob? asparagus? Update monday.

Blitz Model Set update

Great day with my group, we built the second version of our building on the street. pictures here. next we're going to spray paint the whole thing black, and we must finish the roof!

Group starter Project at Wimbledon. Model Set of the Blitz 1940.

First project of degree. Set design students have teamed up with tech arts students to create a model street of the Blitz in London 1940. We're only allowed to use cardboard. Above pictures show the rough model. We have groups of about 6 working on different parts of the street. Really enjoying the teamwork side of this. Set design not usually my thing but working with forced perspective and scales very interesting and challenging. We have one more week to create the final version which we shall film. Video will be here by friday.

Close up of my groups work. We are looking at a colapsing balcony, exposed staircase, newspaper shop, broken drain, exposed roof need to work on.