Tips for working with Paverpol and a few instructions:
* Pour
Paverpol to a plastic container.
* Dip a rag (do not use synthetic material) into the Paverpol a
little bit at a time.
Make sure the cloth soaks up all the Paverpol.
Squeeze the Paverpol into the cloth, but don't let it drip.
*If it is
too wet when you're working with it, it is difficult shape it
properly.
Paverpol dries transparent. If you want to dye the fabric
beforehand, you can add Pavercolor (colour powder). Pavercolor is
available in 28 colours. (Coming Soon).
* Paverpol dries quickly, and with a hairdryer you can dry it
even quicker. As soon as the Paverpol is dry, it can be painted
with oil or acrylic paint. Once you've painted it, leave your
work to harden for a further week. You'll be surprised how hard
it will get!
* For outdoor objects you are best using a waterproof paint. If
you use acrylic paint, always varnish your work. An untreated
piece may get mildew outside if the air is very damp. Bring it
inside, or leave it in the sun, and the white bloom will
disappear. To avoid it happening again, give it a coat of
varnish. With Paverpol products, always use water-based
additives. Some exterior paints are latex, which won't work with
Paverpol...keep it acrylic!
If your
piece is for the great outdoors, add Paverplast to your Paverpol
mix (using the proper mixing ratio). Equivalent to about 10 coats
of Paverpol, adding Paverplast not only deletes the added
time/steps of varnish, it goes one step further & makes your
piece waterproof! If it's a question of outside/inside - add
Paverplast.
*
Clean hands and tools with warm water - have a bucket of water
nearby to dip your hands and tools into.
*************
You can use
any fabric that has a high natural fibre content. That would
include wool, silk, chamois (soft) leather, hemp, flax, denim,
cotton flannel (you might not keep the full knap effect)and
cheesecloth or stockinette.
Because of the complex content of many synthetics, it is
impossible to know exactly how each will respond to Paverpol over
time. That is why natural fibers are recommended. However, lots
of artists are experimenting with different materials. (ie, dried
flowers, saw dust, etc.)
You can also use paper as fabric with Paverpol. There are many
beautiful handmade papers on the market.
*******
Working with Molds: Do you want to mold the saturated fabric over a form-- like a mask, bowl, etc.? Use tightly stretched and smoothed plastic wrap. Just be sure you get the plastic into all the detail crevices. Paverpol will not adhere to plastic. Once the outer side is dry, carefully remove the plastic wrap and fabric from the form. Remove the plastic wrap and let that side dry.You can also use this technique with paper, Pavercotton and many other natural materials.
*********
For durable, stone/concrete texture, make "Paverclay" by using Paverpol & ArtStone. However, it would be necessary to varnish/seal the completed project. You could experiment with sand, either by "glittering" it on while the project is still wet; or by adding it into your Paverpol/Paverplast mix. If you feel you've added too much sand, dilute with more Paverpol. Remember to mix well. Adding Paverpol to normal plaster strengthens the plaster. However, adding plaster to Paverpol weakens the Paverpol.
********
To ensure an easier & more thorough mixing of Paverpol & other additives, simply use an electric mixer! And if it's the heavy-duty kind that spins your bowl, just remember not to get 'too happy' & start out on a low speed. It's a fantastic way to make mixing additives into Paverpol a breeze. And cleaning up those beaters is a cinch, too. Now, you're on your own if you get a little carried away with a happy trigger finger...lol! At any rate, clean up any splatters immediately with soap & water...& sometimes a little elbow grease.
*********
It's very
handy to use a turning table when you start with
"paverpolling" your figurine.
You can put the base on the table and put your sculpture in his
or her position. After dressing and draping his/her clothes you
can turn it around and see if you are satisfied on each side.
Cover the turning table every time with plastic, so you keep it
clean. If you don't have a turn table, you can use a cheap
plastic cake decorating turn table. Works great for the normal
figure-size projects.
***********
More tips as I get them!