Fine Casting Plaster Applications

Use in theatrical and movie sets

One of the skills used in movie and theatrical sets is that of “plasterer”, and fine casting plaster is often used to simulate the appearance of surfaces of wood, stone, or metal. It can be carved, painted and varnished.

Use in architecture

Fine Casting Plaster may also be used to create complex detailing for use in room interiors. These may be geometric (simulating wood or stone) or naturalistic (simulating leaves, vines, and flowers). These are also often used to simulate wood or stone detailing found in more substantial buildings.

Use in sculptural arts

Plaster casting directly into a damp clay mould is preferred by some artists. In creating this mould the sculptor will be working directly “in the negative”. This method requires substantial skill and experience but is quite fast and is suitable for producing shallow relief decorations. Impression Moulding Alginate can also be used to create a negative from an existing sculpture. A fine reproduction is then possible using plaster or polyurethane resin.

Modelling Plaster is also often used as an intermediate stage in the production of large cast sculptures (typically of cast bronze) or in the creation of carved stone, particularly for building decoration. The original work is usually first modelled in wet clay over a supporting structure called an armature. From this either piece moulds (moulds designed for making multiple copies) or waste moulds (for single use) would be made of plaster.

This “negative” image, if properly designed, may be used to produce clay productions, which when fired in a kiln become terracotta building decorations, or these may be used to create cast concrete sculptures. If a plaster positive was desired this would be constructed or cast to form a durable image artwork. As a model for stonecutters this would be sufficient. If intended for producing a bronze casting the plaster positive could be further worked to produce smooth surfaces. An advantage of this plaster image is that it is relatively cheap; should a patron approve of the durable image and be willing to bear further expense, subsequent moulds could be made for the creation of a wax image to be used in lost wax casting, a far more expensive process. In lieu of producing a bronze image suitable for outdoor use the plaster image may be painted to resemble a metal image; such sculptures are suitable only for presentation in a weather-protected environment.