SET-UP
Once students are ready for plaster:

• Each table should be covered with newspaper for collecting plaster drippings.
• Each table should have a bowl of water for dipping strips.
• Be sure to keep stash of strips away from the water. If they get wet prematurely, the plaster’s ability to stick is compromised.

Step 1: Building the armature

Students will use newspaper and masking tape to create the armature for their sea creature. An armature is a simple frame used to support a sculpture. The armature defines the shape of the finished statue and gives the papier-mâché or plaster cloth strips something to stick to. 

Teaching Tip: Loosely bunched newspaper is better for “sculpting” than rolled or folded paper.

Using their drawings, notes, and knowledge of their sea creatures, students begin by molding newspaper into forms that represent the general shape of the creature. The armature does not have to be perfect. Details will be added by building up the papier-mâché or plaster strips. The armature should be tightly taped so the papier-mâché or plaster sticks evenly and securely.

Step 2: Applying the plaster 

This step outlines the use of plaster cloth to build the sculpture. However, there are many recipes for papier-mâché paste if that is your preferred method. Plaster cloth makes for a strong sculpture and typically is purchased as sheets or a large roll. Be sure to cut the cloth into band-aid sized strips ahead of time for dipping into the water. Have students use their fingers to smooth the strips and push off excess water before applying to the armature. Students should add additional strips to any joints or weight bearing areas of their sculpture as well as the base where the wood or cardboard meet the sculpture. After each layer application, allow the sculpture to dry overnight.

Plaster cloth resource: www.dickblick.com
Papier-mâché resource: www.ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-recipes

Teaching Tip: Be sure to have aprons or paint shirts for students to wear. Some students may also want plastic gloves, depending on tactile sensitivity.

Teaching Tip: Have lots of plaster strips cut ahead of time.

Next Steps: Once two–three layers of plaster have been applied and are completely dry, the sculpture is ready to be painted. Before painting, make sure the structure is hard like a shell. Note: areas of the sculpture that are cold to the touch indicate wet plaster underneath. Once plaster is dry, go on to Lesson 4.

Lesson extension

Teachers can choose to insert dowel rods into the sea creature sculptures as a way to hold them (like a puppet) or for use in displaying the sculptures. To do this successfully, you will need a pre-cut chunk of styrofoam that will will serve as the foundation for wrapping the newspaper around before using papier-mâché or plaster strips. Once the papier-mâché or plaster is dry, a dowel can be inserted into the sculpture to the styrofoam core, which will hold it in place.