Plaster carving

Workshop notes

Adam Williamson

Introduction to Tuluni and Moroccan plaster

carving techniques.

Students introduced to the key tools:

 Handmade Moroccan firmer chisels

 Woodcarving skew chisel
 Clay hook scraper
 Dividers
 Sharpening blocks
 Pouncing pigment

Geometric woven rosette.

Approach a weave systematically, by rotating the plaster and repeating the same
action.

 Incise stop-cuts using the corner of the chisel or knife, these are an
outline/boundary that divides the areas that need to be carved from those that
remain. They also help retain the design when the temporary

 By pushing in the chisel at the correct angle towards the stop-cut and then
removing it without rotation or gouging, plaster is broken away to create voids
in-between the weave.

 Another round of stop-cuts are achieved by pushing down at the boundary’s at

a perpendicular angle

 The bottom of the geometric voids are scraped flat with the square end of the
chisel, the corner and side of the chisel are used to clean the edge of the
weave.

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 The weave is then carved from the surface of the channels. This is done
gradually and systematically, by rotating the plaster.

 After each piece is complete it’s the washed under a tap and re examined.
Carved plaster can by painted, traditionally tempora (egg yoke) was used as a binder
and sealant
Biomorphic design

It is important when working with classical monumental biomorphic patterns to

understand the archetypal forms and how they are tessellated.

Many of the patterns repeat using a root2 and dynamic square repeat unit, this is often
called a drop-pattern or step and shoulder and laid out using a compasses. These
patterns are ubiquitous thought the Islamic world.
When drawing and carving biomorphic patterns the circle is fundamental, it is the
armature on which spirals and motifs are created in biomorphic patterns.

The same stages using for a geometric rosette are followed to approach carving
curved motifs and woven spirals. Focus is give to which sides to slope and rebate and
how shadow is created.

Below: The
Moroccan
technique of
carving the void
to a deep point
at a steep
upward angles is
used to create shadow and reduce dust settling on the channels.

Right: how to mend a broken plaster piece using fresh

plaster mixed with scrim or horse-hair.

The plaster should be wet and keyed were the plaster will
be bonded. Scrim is soaked in plaster and used as
reinforcement on the back of the broken plaster.
Mixing Plaster

The make up the plaster I usually mix the plaster of Paris 1 to 1 with water. The
plaster is sprinkled into the water then left to sit for 5 mins. The plaster is then mixed
gently to avoid bubbles, it is poured just before it reaches the putty stage.

From the moment you begin to mix until it is set, plaster goes through a number of
stages:

1. The liquid stage: This stage occurs immediately after mixing with water. The
mixture at this stage can be poured, brushed and thrown. It lasts about 15 minutes.

2. The putty stage: The plaster thickens to the consistency of toothpaste. In

this stage, plaster can be applied with a putty knife or spatula, and it can be modeled
like clay. It lasts about 5 minutes.

3. The rigid stage: Occurs once the mixture begins to set. The plaster becomes
brittle and it can be cut with a knife or dug into with a spoon. The plaster is very
fragile and should not be vibrated, dropped or have pressure on it.

4. The set stage: The plaster begins to heat up and obviously hardens. The heat
that is radiated depends on the size of the mixture and the setting speed. When the
plaster cools, it is a good time to remove it from the mold and trim any unwanted
edges since it is still very pliable.

5. The cure stage: Lasts from the time the plaster cools until it dries completely.
The mixture hardens substantially and metal tools are required for its manipulation.
Because it still contains about 18% water, the tools get clogged and require cleaning
quite often.

6. The dry stage: The plaster no longer contains moisture and it is at maximum
strength and very brittle at this stage. It can be sanded with sandpaper or painted.