REPAIRS Damien Lucas
Repairs are best done as freshly as possible. Make up a very small amount of plaster to a buttery strength – this consistency can be modeled to shape.
Wet down the area to be filled or repaired with a brush & water to the point of aturation before adding plaster.
Use flat of butter knife to add & model plaster, & the edge of the knife to immediately remove any excess plaster – do not use fingers! Start with the biggest repairs first. Fine cracks should be open up well with the point of a knife, creating a jagged v-shaped trench, before filling.
FINISHING
1. Wait at least a day before doing any finishing work, but ideally when the plaster is bone dry. The level of finish will depend on the desired quality or character of the piece.
2. Use a surform to slightly chamfer the outer edges of the cast, & to remove large areas of unwanted plaster.
3. Use a file (2nd cut) to further refine the surface & to clean up repairs. The file should be used lightly with variation in pressure dependant upon the amount of plaster to be removed. Use the file with sensitivity to the contours of the cast, & work in all directions. Use a direct light source from above & to the side to help with readability of the form when refining – sculpture requires a relationship between light & shadow for both making & viewing.
4. If any air bubbles appear during refinement, repair as previously described. Do not use sand paper under most circumstances!
5. Burn off excess sisal fibre with a gas torch.