Lesson video

Hello everyone.

How are you doing today? I hope you're feeling really, really well.

My name's Ms. Afzal and I will be your art teacher for today, which I'm so happy about because we're gonna be getting so super practical today.

We are gonna be creating some plaster casts.

Our lesson is called "Exploring 3D art materials with casting: paper and plaster." Yes, there are two kinds of casting we'll be doing today, paper and plaster casting.

Our lesson comes from the unit of work "Being curious about 3D design." I hope you're curious about what we're going to get up to today.

I'm curious, I'm wondering if you've ever done any casting before, paper casting, plaster casting, any other kind of casting, perhaps even around the home? Well, we'll be exploring all of that in our lesson and getting right into the practicals.

I hope you're feeling ready, got some enthusiasm, got some focus, some casting materials to hand, let's begin.

T The outcome for today's lesson is I can explore casting techniques through hands-on experimentation to create casts using plaster and paper.

If that doesn't sound exciting, I'm not sure what does.

We have some keywords in our lesson today.

Casting, mould, and undercut.

Casting is a sculpture-making technique where a malleable material is formed in mould.

What is a mould? Well, that's a hollow container used to shape the malleable material.

Undercut, this is a part of the mould that curves around a subject or cast in a way that makes it hard to remove the object from the mould.

It can trap the cast inside the mould if not designed carefully.

It's gonna be something for us to watch out for.

So here are our keywords, casting, mould, and undercut.

Our lesson is called "Exploring 3D art materials with casting: paper and plaster." It has two learning cycles.

The first is "Creating partial moulds using clay," and the next is "Testing plaster and paper casting techniques." Let's begin "Creating partial moulds using clay." These students are thinking about how this bronze sculpture was made.

Pause the video and share with someone, how do you think this bronze sculpture was made? Thanks for sharing your ideas, let's hear from these students.

"I don't think you can carve metal like wood." Interesting point.

"I can't see any areas that have been joined or assembled." Hmm, interesting again.

And, "I wonder if it's been modelled then turned into metal?" So many ideas.

Can you think of any other ways to make a sculpture? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing your ideas, I wonder what you came up with.

Let's take a look at the four main methods for creating a sculpture.

So we have carving.

You can carve a sculpture, all kinds of different materials.

You can model using clay or some other modelling material.

You can construct using all kinds of different materials to construct a sculpture.

And finally, you can cast.

This is the one we are gonna be looking at today, casting, one of our keywords.

It's a sculpture-making technique where a malleable material is formed in a mould.

Casting is a sculpting process that allows artists to create replicas or translate their modelled sculpture into a more durable material.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of the following best describes a group of traditional sculpture techniques? Is it A, carving, casting, modelling, and constructing; B, casting, painting, sketching, and building; C, carving, etching, modelling, and casting; or D, drawing, modelling, constructing, and casting? Pause the video while you decide which of these best describes a group of traditional sculpture techniques.

Well done if you selected A, carving, casting, modelling, and constructing.

Casting can be used to create replicas of a form using a mould.

Mould is a hollow container used to shape the malleable material.

And there we have the cast that has been formed from the mould.

Can you think of any moulds you might have at home? Pause the video and share with someone.

There's a clue maybe in your kitchen.

What did you come up with? Perhaps you have some moulds that you use for baking, maybe for cakes, perhaps chocolate.

Have you ever made chocolate in a mould or even jelly? All the good stuff is made in moulds.

Artists who have used casting as part of their sculpture creation include Donatello is known for creating a number of bronze sculptures which use a casting method known as the lost wax technique.

Teresa Margolles' Fourth Plinth commission "Mil Veces un Instante, A Thousand Times in an Instant" in 2024 saw her cast 726 faces.

I was very lucky to get to meet her once and see actually some of these faces that she'd cast before they actually went up on the Fourth Plinth, very exciting.

Merissa Hylton has cast hands in works like "BLM x ASL," 2020, and "Acceptance," 2020.

Marc Quinn has cast his own head a number of times over his career to create his ongoing self-portrait project, "Self." Artists can use casting to replicate everyday objects.

Leonardo Drew's "Number 88" from 2002 sees him use paper casting to capture the shapes of everyday objects.

Anita Brendgens has cast both large and small-scale objects from parts of a car in "Installation Traffic - Topolino," 2017, to mugs in "Bistrotisch, Detailansicht," 2013.

Rachel Whiteread casts negative space found in hot water bottles, under chairs, or even a whole house.

Yes, really remarkable.

Similarly, "Genealogy of anything," 2017, by Damian Ortega captured incidental negative space with concrete.

So many uses for casting.

The process of creating a partial mould can be like this.

Wedge your clay to remove any air bubbles.

Roll out a slab of clay larger than your object.

And then gently but firmly press your object into the clay.

Avoid an undercut where clay is on top of the object, creating a small opening.

Gently remove your object to reveal the negative, the negative space it has created.

Use clay tools to neaten any unwanted ridges.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of the following best describes the correct order of steps when making a clay mould? A, add texture, press object, smooth edges, prepare clay.

Or B, press object, prepare clay, remove object, smooth edges.

C, prepare clay, press object, smooth edges, remove object.

Or pour plaster, press object, wedge clay, smooth edges.

Pause the video while you decide which of these best describes the correct order of steps when making a clay mould.

Well done if you selected the steps in C.

First of all, we've gotta prepare the clay.

Press down object, smooth the edges, and then remove the object.

Well done if you selected C.

Check for understanding, true or false? An undercut in a mould can make it difficult or impossible to move the cast without damaging it.

Pause the video and share if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected true, and now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause the video while you do this.

Maybe you said something like this.

Undercuts trap the object or cast inside the mould as the mould opening is smaller than the object, which can lead to breakage or distortion when trying to remove it.

Something for us to be aware of and watch out for.

The time has come for your first task.

Yes, we are going to be creating a partial mould of small found objects using clay.

First of all, I would like you to select your objects to create a mould from.

You should select objects with an interesting form and texture, particularly on one side.

Consider objects which would fit in the palm of your hand.

Avoid objects with hollow shapes inside which could cause an undercut.

We do not want an undercut, avoid at all costs.

So pause here while you have a go at this part of your task.

Okay, how did you get on with selecting your object? You may have selected objects like these.

Here's Izzy, "I want to use everyday objects like Leonardo Drew did in 'Number 80,' 2002, but I selected small items." Great idea, and I love that selection.

A bit of string, paper clip, beads.

What are those, buttons? A little animal and some keys, great selection of objects.

Next part of your task, I would like you to prepare the clay.

So wedge your clay to remove any air bubbles, very important first step.

And then roll out your slab of clay larger than your object.

Pause the video while you have a go at this part of your task.

Okay, good to be back with you.

Next we're gonna create moulds.

We're gonna in fact create two moulds of the same objects.

So avoid an undercut where clay is on top of your object, so gently press your object into the clay, and then gently remove your object to reveal the negative.

And use clay tools to neaten any unwanted ridges.

Pause the video while you have a go at this part of your task, creating two moulds of the same objects.

How did you get on? There are many possible outcomes but you might have created something like this.

Here's Jun, "These two moulds are very neat, Izzy! Nice work neatening ridges." Yeah, that's great when you can come in and smooth those ridges at the end to really give a nice, neat outcome.

And, "I can see some of the textures and details in the mould," says Laura.

And it's so true, you can really see the clear detail, the intricate design on those buttons.

And now we're onto our second learning cycle, "Testing plaster and paper casting techniques." Let's begin casting.

How might an artist use this mould to create a sculptural element? Pause the video and share with someone.

Aisha says, "We could pour something liquid in that would harden," fantastic.

And Jacob, "Maybe we could use papier-mache to capture the forms," great ideas.

The casting process is used in many areas with a variety of materials.

Fine artists cast sculptures in resin, metal, or plaster.

Ceramicists use slip moulds to form clay shapes.

Food industries use moulds for chocolate, jelly, and baking.

Perhaps you use some of those at home.

Dentists use alginate to make teeth impressions for retainers or mouth guards.

Manufacturers use moulds to shape plastic products.

And construction uses moulds to form concrete structures like paving or panels.

So many uses for casting.

But can you think of any other examples? Pause the video and share.

I wonder what ideas you came up with.

One I thought of was jewellers.

Jewellers use moulds to mould some of their creations.

And also the medical industry use moulds to create implants.

Different materials and casting processes produce different outcomes.

We can see two quite different outcomes on the screen.

What's different about these cast objects? Pause the video and share.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Perhaps you noticed the one on the left is very sharp, very detailed, and the one on the right is a little less detailed and perhaps more textured.

So two quite different casts from these processes.

Let's have a check for understanding, true or false? Casting results in uniform outcomes no matter the material used.

Pause the video and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false, now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause the video while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Different materials will allow artists to create different effects when casting.

Casting with plaster can be successful due to detailed textures are captured in the outcome.

We can really clearly see the detail on those buttons, the swirl of the buttons.

It dries relatively fast, so results are seen quickly.

That's quite satisfying.

Liquid plaster hardens into a solid.

It can be easily painted or decorated.

Although detailed, plaster casts can be fragile.

There's the downside.

Casting and plaster can also be a messy process with an exothermic reaction taking place.

This means that heat is released during the setting stage.

Moulds may not be reusable, could be a one-time thing.

Check for understanding.

Which of the following is not a benefit of using plaster for casting? A, it captures fine surface textures in great detail.

B, it can be easily painted or decorated once dry.

C, it dries quickly, allowing you to see the results fast.

D, it stays soft, so it can be reshaped after drying.

Pause the video while you decide which of these is not a benefit of using plaster for casting.

Well done if you select answer D.

Indeed, it stays soft, which is not so great.

Casting with paper can be successful due to the fact that wet paper is malleable, you can reshape it.

It has lightweight outcomes.

Paper can create its own texture.

And it's eco-friendly recycled media, we love that.

Paper casts have interesting tactile textures and are eco-friendly.

However, paper casts may capture less details from the mould.

Paper casts also take longer to dry fully and may shrink as they dry.

Check for understanding.

Which of the following is not a benefit of using papier-mache for casting? A, it can be painted or decorated once dry.

B, it dries instantly, allowing no time for adjustments.

C, it's lightweight and easy to handle.

D, it's made from recycled materials, making it eco-friendly.

Well done if you selected B.

Indeed, it does not dry instantly.

In fact, it takes quite a long time to dry.

In this lesson, we will be testing casting materials.

Hands-on experimentation with materials fosters a deeper understanding of their properties.

We're gonna get to know paper, we're going to get to know plaster.

Exploring different casting methods will support you in making informed choices and more intentional outcomes in future projects.

You can use these steps to create a cast using papier-mache.

Cover the mould in cling film or petroleum jelly.

Overlap glue-soaked papers over the mould.

Press those papers firmly into all the crevices.

Wait for the papier-mache to be completely dry before removing from the mould by pulling slightly to reveal the cast.

That magical moment.

Now a few things to note when working with plaster.

You must avoid inhaling dust, work in a well-ventilated area, prevent skin contact with wet plaster to avoid irritations or burns, always add plaster to water to avoid clumping, stir gently to minimise dust and air bubbles, clean tools and surfaces before plaster sets, never pour plaster down the sink.

We do not want blocked sinks.

You can use these steps to create a cast using plaster.

Measure the correct ratio of plaster and water.

Slowly add plaster to water to avoid clumping.

Gently until smooth and free of lumps.

Carefully pour the mixed plaster into the prepared clay mould.

Fill the mould gradually, tapping gently to release any air bubbles.

And do not disturb the mould while it's setting.

Okay, it's time for your task.

You will be testing plaster and paper casting techniques.

So, test casting with plaster and papier-mache to review the different properties.

One, cast with papier-mache.

Cover the mould in cling film or petroleum jelly.

Overlap glue-soaked papers over the mould.

Press papers firmly into all crevices.

You should tap the cling film gently with a soft bristle brush to press the film into the mould.

Use thin papers like tissue to capture smaller details.

Pause the video while you have a go at this part of your task, casting with papier-mache.

How did you get on? I'm curious.

There are many possible outcomes but you may have created something like this, here's Izzy.

"It took a while to create my papier-mache cast as it was fiddly, but I was able to ensure the mould form was followed.

I had to wait until the next lesson to remove my cast from the mould as it took a while to dry." Well done for your patience.

Now we're onto plaster, and remember our key rules when working with plaster.

You must avoid inhaling dust, work in a well-ventilated area, prevent skin contact with wet plaster to avoid irritations or burns, always add plaster to water to avoid clumping, stir gently to minimise dust and air bubbles, clean tools and surfaces before plaster sets, and never pour plaster down the sink.

So here's how you will cast your plaster.

First of all, prepare the plaster.

Measure the correct ratio of plaster and water.

Slowly add plaster to water to avoid clumping.

Gently stir until smooth and free of lumps, and then move quickly to the casting stage.

Carefully pour the mixed plaster into the prepared clay mould.

Fill the mould gradually, tapping gently to release any air bubbles.

And then do not disturb the mould while it's setting.

Pause the video while you have a go at casting with plaster.

Stay steady, stay patient.

All right, how did you get on casting with plaster? There are many possible outcomes, you may have created something like this.

Here's Izzy, "Once it has set, you have to work gently to remove the plaster from the mould, bending the clay away from the plaster." What a wonderful, magical moment that is.

Again, many possible outcomes.

You may have done something like this, here's Jun.

"These plaster cast items are very detailed and extremely delicate." Oh wow, I love all that detail.

And yes, handle with care.

And finally, I'd like you to test casting with plaster and papier-mache to review the different properties.

Answer the following questions to review the different materials and processes.

First of all, how do materials behave during the casting process? Pause the video while you answer this question.

Next, what safety precautions and cleanup steps should I take when working with each material to ensure a safe and clean workspace? Pause the video while you answer this.

And which material did you prefer and why? Pause the video and share.

Thank you for sharing your responses.

Here's Andeep, "The plaster was a quick process to put into the mould, but all three methods were quite messy." Sam, "We had to consider skin sensitivity and clean air for plaster, there was less to think about for paper," true.

And Sofia, "I like how plaster looks like gallery sculptures, but paper casting is more useful as it's lighter and less fragile." There are ups, there are pros and cons to all of these processes.

Thanks for sharing your responses.

And now you could develop your cast sculptures by adding colour and details for painting; using lighting to further enhance the different properties of the materials; setting up a mini exhibition of your casting works, consider using plinths and plaques; bringing your works together to create an installation or larger sculpture; attaching them to mixed media artworks.

So pause the video while you now complete your task.

Well done, everyone.

In our lesson today, "Exploring 3D art materials with casting: paper and plaster" we've covered the following.

There are four main methods for creating a sculpture.

Carving, modelling, constructing, and casting.

Casting is a sculpting process that allows artists to create replicas or translate their modelled sculpture into a more durable material.

An undercut in a mould can make it difficult or impossible to remove the cast without damaging it.

The casting process is used in many areas with a variety of materials.

Hands-on experimentation with materials fosters a deeper understanding of their properties.

And exploring different casting methods supports you making informed choices and more intentional outcomes in future projects.

Well, it was fantastic being with you in this lesson today.

I love how you got involved with all of that casting, paper, plaster, being careful, avoiding undercuts, doing your best, and I hope you enjoyed this lesson as much as I did.

I'll see you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.