For this project I had students bring a small textured object to their art lesson (i.e an interesting leaf, shell etc). I then gave each child a small disposable plastic bowl with some dry Plaster of Paris in the bottom and went from one child to the next adding the correct amount of water to the mixture. Each child stirred the plaster to get it smooth. Once it was the right consistency, the students needed to place their object lightly into the plaster so it was half in half out.
The next day I popped the plaster pieces from their bowls and carefully removed the embedded objects. I also sanded the edges of each plaster disc so it was smooth and round.When the students came in they applied two coats of paint to their fossil to make it appear aged. They firstly applied a brown undercoat and when dry, a small amount of white paint was dabbed on over the top in a dry brush manner.
I really like your idea of fossil casts. Do the objects come out easily or do you prep them in some way?
ReplyDeleteThanks Dale - some objects came out more easily than others. If I did this again I probably would prep them in some way (a brushing with oil or something?) and be sure to leave part of the object sticking out to make it easier to pull it out of the plaster.
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