Creating molds using sulptors wax
I have never used sculptors wax before, nor have I worked with glass, beyond smashing the odd jar, so I am looking forward to learning some new skills during this project.
I was lent this enormous block of wax in the shape of a heart. It was quite hard to work with until broken down into smaller pieces. Fitting really.
I am sculpting a positive castle model in this wax, which I will then cast to create a negative mould using plaster. After melting the wax out with steam, I will cast the negative cavity using glass pellets, also known as frit.
After experimenting with lots of detail and design elements, I settled for a primitive abstract form. I am not trying to depict a specific castle, I am trying to evoke the qualities and concept of a castle, so this is an acceptable choice. It is also pleasing to mine eye. That's an Alan Partridge quote.
I attached a cardboard tube to act as a glass reservoir in the base. The frit takes up more volume solid than liquid so this mechanism will feed a steady supply of glass into castle mold as it melts.
I glued the cardboard tube to the bottom of a disposable container and then sunk it in an equal parts mix of luke warm water, plaster, quartz and molochite. The castle piece started floating as I submerged it, so I held it in place with a piece of pasta until the plaster mix was set enough to remove it and plug the hole using my finger.
