Paper Magic with Cast Paper

Paper Casting: Heart Ornament

Where do we begin?

Paper was invented in China around 140 BC-50 BC by combining vegetable matter. Handmade paper has been used in calligraphy for centruries. I first learned paper casting in the fall of my 70th year. It struck my “like” button, having hooked me as a fan. I am just beginning to explore all the possibile options I may find using paper from casting low relief Christmas ornaments, making unique hand made paper on which to paint or write poems, and making sculptural vessels with high relief casting.

For more information about casting paper in molds:

Step 1 For low relief paper casting:

  • Preparing requires:
  • Blender
  • plastic type screen wire
  • newspaper for blotting
  • scrap paper such as recyclable printed paper
  • cookie molds or other three dimensional objects to use as molds
  • Or lay flat to create sheets of handmade paper on which to write poems, sayings

Step 2: Creating Paper from pulp

  • write on the scrap or printer paper expressing feelings of gratitude, appreciateion, regrets, sadness, etc.
  • tear in strips
  • fill up a blender container half full with water

PLACE TORN PAPER INTO BLENDER CONTAINER

PLACE TORN PAPER INTO BLENDER CONTAINER

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-place the torn paper in the blender for a few seconds to make pulp

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pour pulp into the screen wire, cover with second screen.

drain water into a plastic container over a sink

rub the two pieces of screening material over the edge of the sink

Step 3: From pulp to paper casting

–Turn the flat sheet of pulp onto several layers of news print/dish towels.

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–Once blotted significantly, use cooking release such as PAM to cover molds.

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–Place the still moist sheet into a mold, such as shown in the photo.

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–Microwave for 60 seconds and add 10 seonds at a time to adjust to the heating capacity of your particular microwave.

–Or airdry at room temperature

Step 4:The final product of paper casting

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–Paint casting with a darker acrylic paint

–Cover this layer with a wash of white Gesso to simulate “pickling”

heart highlighted

–Highlight with Gold or silver with a very dry brush

–Punch hole with tool