Embossing & Casting
with Cherril Doty & Marsh Scott
Painted cast and embossed pieces—either whole, torn, or cut into pieces—are an interesting way to add dimension and visual interest to your mixed media art. Favorite items can be cast and used to add a personal touch.
Materials
• Assorted papers
• Assortment of items for texture and pattern
• Towels (assorted sizes)
• Two large corrugated boxes
• Spray bottle or container of water
• Spoons (metal and wood)
• Blender
• Softest possible toilet paper
• Rack for drying
• Plastic needlepoint sheets
• Drying rack
• Dryer sheets
• Straight-sided shapes
• Rubber stamps
• Molds (e.g., shells, cookie forms, etc.)
• Silicone mat
• Hot glue gun
• 4" to 6" spring-form pan
Embossing
Embossing with a Vehicle
Strings, twigs, leaves, rope, stencils, and other soft textural objects are perfect for these techniques.
Step One Tear several sheets of paper to the width of your car tire or less. Moisten both sides of the paper with water, and stack paper inside a wet towel. Let rest for at least 20 minutes to soften.
Step Two Place one piece of flattened cardboard at the front of a tire. Place the embossing items in a single layer on top of the cardboard.
Step Three Remove the paper from the wet towel and place it on top of the items. Fold a large dry towel in half and place it on top of the paper.
Step Four Place a second piece of flattened cardboard over the towel. Now, drive back and forth slowly over the cardboard to make the impression. Carefully remove the paper and set aside to dry.
Embossing by Hand
Step One Tear several sheets of paper to the size you want. Wet the paper and place it inside a towel for 20 minutes or more.
Step Two Place a stencil or other textural embossing item on a firm surface. Place the paper over the item and a piece of plastic over the paper. Applying firm pressure, rub over it with a wooden or metal spoon.
Step Three Use your fingers to press in and around the design to further enhance it.
Handmade Pulp
When creating handmade pulp for casting, it is helpful to have a space where the water can drain through without damaging anything.
Step One Gather your molds. Fill a blender about 3/4 full of water. Tear a generous handful of toilet paper into bits and add to the water. Let it rest for 5 minutes; then blend for 10 seconds to a pulp.
Step Two Spread dryer sheets over needlepoint plastic and slowly pour the pulp over it. Allow the water to drain through.
Step Three Gather some pulp with your fingers and press into a mold, pressing more into any thin areas, as needed. Place mold on a towel, pulp-side down, and let rest for 20 minutes.
Step Four Carefully loosen around edges and pull out your casting. When casting is dry, apply gesso to both sides of mold, and allow to dry completely. Paint or embellish mold, as desired; it is now ready to add to your work and can be adhered using regular glue.
Reusable Handmade Molds
Step One Fold a dryer sheet in half, and draw a design on it using a pencil or pen. Place the sheet on a silicone mat; then trace over the design with a hot glue gun. Allow to cool and harden.
Step Two Prepare casting pulp (see here). Place the embellished dryer sheet face up on top of a needlepoint plastic sheet. Place a spring-form pan on top of the dryer sheet and then pour the pulp inside. Press down firmly, pressing the water out with your fingers.
Step Three Remove the mold, continuing to press out the water. Set the casting on a towel, and allow to air dry for 24 hours.
Step Four Follow step four on shown here to prepare the mold for your art.
Found Objects
Outdoor Objects
There are so many interesting casting possibilities around us—a knothole in a fence, the cement marker, a design on a tree trunk. This method allows you to take your casting pulp with you.
Step One Create the casting pulp (see here). Pour pulp into a spring-form pan and press the water out as before. Repeat several times to create casting “patties.” Place the completed patties in a sealed plastic bag to keep them moist. Use a range of forms to create casting patties in different sizes.
Step Two Take patties on the road and press them into any texture you like. Bring them home and let dry.
Household Objects
Step One Prepare casting pulp (see here). Pour the pulp, letting it drain as you go, into open molds, such as cookie cutters and a spring-form pan.
Step Two Press out the water using other objects, such as jewelry, buttons, and rubber stamps, to create texture.