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I did some experiments to see if I could make a waterproof coating for my Halloween goblins’ faces.
I did come up with something that is waterproof, but it didn’t cover the plaster cloth texture quite as well as I hoped. However, I did find another solution that I might use for Grandma Goblin’s face – it’s just paper mache made with one-ply paper towels and a mixture of Titebond III wood glue and a little water. 🙂
There are several more experiments I’ll be doing soon that were inspired by some videos on the @VennasNature YouTube channel.
Venna makes outdoor sculptures using what she calls “cement mache,” made with Handi Wipes dipped in Rapid Set Cement All. I can’t wait to try it on the rabbit I’ll be making soon. (It might be worth a trip to Sioux Falls as soon as the ice melts off all the roads.) Venna also has an unusual recipe for outdoor clay. Click here see the video that talks about both of these ideas.
You can find the previous post that shows how I made a temporary sculpting form for Grandma Goblin here.
And you can see how I sculpted Daddy Goblin here, and how I covered him with plaster cloth here.
I’m thinking about painting the goblins green – what do you think? 🙂
Hi Kathleen. The glue I used with the plaster cloth was Titebond III wood glue. In my experiments the plaster cloth with glue wasn’t fully waterproof. However, the plaster cloth dried harder when it was dipped in the glue/water mixture than it was when just dipped in water. I re-watched a Hollywood Haunter video about their giant pumpkins yesterday, and they recommend using Minwax Polycrylik as a sealer over cement. They also said they have quite a few props that were made with plaster and sealed with the Minwax product, and they’re holding up better than they expected. I think you’d like their video – you can see it here: https://youtu.be/w3r67JXmCY0
Hello, I wanted to tell you that I so enjoy your craft and your videos, you truly are an amazing person with so much talent and thank you for sharing them. God Bless You
Thanks, Honey. 🙂
Hi there.
There’s so much useful information in this video. I’ve watched it at least a dozen times and gleaned something new from every viewing. Thank you!
I’m wondering which glue you dipped the plaster cloth into: Glue-all or Titebond? (I did catch that the glue is thinned with about 40% water.)
Additionally, do you have any thoughts on the likelihood of the Titebond/Portland cement coating withstanding our harsh winters? Though I can’t replicate anything close to the freezing winter temperatures we get here in Quebec, I’m going to see how a sample piece stands up to being in the freezer for a few months, and will share the results of that experiment.
Thanks again!