casting

We're getting to the end of the Chaos and Order project now...

From the research stage some initial shapes popped out at me, alongside a sense that I wanted to try something new.  I've been feeling as though the 3D side had become secondary - so I really wanted to push for something that explored the third dimension.



Sketchbook in progress- bashing ideas around.  Amazing where you start to see shapes when you're obsessing!

some samples - ideas from cracks in pavement - trial enamelling - resin block.

 

Early in the block we were shown how to make a silicon mould - so I thought I would give it a go, with a view to making some resin pieces.  At this stage I didn't know what I wanted to do with the resin at all - apart from perhaps encase a piece of heated dropped pewter inside it.

First - the mould.  The key is getting the quantities of silicon to catalyst right - it's 20:1 by weight. 

the preparations - measuring out the quantities and the silicon in the cup.  Not much to see here!
 

I fixed my little wooden block (master) to the bottom of a cup with double-sided tape and s l o w l y poured the silicone mixture in... really slowly - I didn't put it in the de-gassing chamber so was hoping any bubbles would burst on the way down.  The cup was put to the side and forgotten about until the next day.

Success!

Great - the mould set nicely, and 24 hours later I could pop out my wooden master with ease.

I bought some lovely clear resin, put in my pewter piece and followed my resin-mixing instructions.  2:1 for the resin (resin to hardener) - again, I didn't bother with de-gassing the mix, just tried not to mix too roughly.

strange object in jelly?

I was quite happy with the outcome - although there were ridges on the resin - the mould had picked up every detail of the wooden surface.  It didn't turn out completely clear - it has a smoky translucent finish.

 

 

I sanded the faces of the block down further - from very rough to smooth (1000) emery.  Parts of the pewter became exposed and shone - I thought this little accident made attractive highlights.

 

So... what now?

 

 

 

Chaos and Order research

Hello!  Very glad you stopped by.  I'm an artist and maker working in Glasgow.

I've recently been working on a brief that has got me thinking in a lot of directions at once.  Chaos and Order.  The more i work on it, the less the two seem distinct from one another. 

Samples of wax for casting (L), some enamel samples and small brass domes that make a lovely 'Ping!' when you drop them on the bench.