11. FOAM CARVING and COATING

FOAM CARVING
Working in foam is a great way to work large relatively inexpensively. Foam is easy to work with in comparison to wood or stone. Your final work will be light weight and easier to transport which is an added bonus. Although foam carving is primarily a subtractive process, if you choose to coat the foam you will add strength to the work and afford yourself the luxury of adding to the form and/or filling imperfections. After the work is coated it is possible to add a paint finish if desired.

There are many types of foam including polystyrene, polyurethane and Balsa foam. Balsa foam is very soft and easy to carve and is available at the Compleat Sculptor for a somewhat hefty price. I recommend Polystyrene (Pink or Blue) Insulation Boards. These boards are available at Home Depot in 1" x 2' x 8' or 2" x 4' x 8' size at building supply stores such as TW Perry 8519 CT ave Chevy Chase, MD 301-652-2600

 

Hot Wire Tool Sources:

-Hot Wire Foam Factory tools may be purchased from the Compleat Sculptor

instructional videos: http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/customer/video/video.htm

-Woodland Scenics purchase tools from their sit: http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/WSToolsAndAdhesives

Adhesives:

If you glue up multiple sheets DO NOT USE a glue that must air-dry such as Elmers. I prefer

3M 78 24-Ounce Polystyrene Foam Insulation Spray Adhesive found at Amazon and other online retailers for approx $18. You may also use Super 77 spray adhesive, 5 minute epoxy, or LOW TEMPERATURE hot glue. Rubber Cement may also work.

Tips:

-Cut out the front view and side view on the bandsaw or with a handsaw to remove the bulk of excess material, this is easiest when working from the silhouette of a reference model

-Foam can be carved with exacto blades and saws. I prefer Olfa or x-acto heavy duty snap off blades for good reach

-Rasps and Sureform tools make quick work of the carving (available at home depot, also check your college sculpture studio)

-Foam can be sanded to refine the form. Begin with 60 grit and work up to finer papers such as 200 grit if desired. You may want a slightly course surface to allow the foam coating to adhere

 

Foam Coatings:

-Ready Patch brand spackle

-Gesso

-Plaster reinforced with burlap

-Magic-Smooth available at the Compleat Sculptor http://www.sculpt.com/
-Aqua-Resin (aqua glass reinforced) available at the Compleat Sculptor http://www.sculpt.com/

-Winterstone available at the Compleat Sculptor http://www.sculpt.com/

Selected Foam Artists: Bonnie Collura, Folkert de Jung, Rachel Harrison, Christian Maycheck, Erwin Wurm, Huma Bhaba

Folkert de Jung, Death March, 2007

Folkert de Jung, Halleluiah, 2007

Bonnie Collura, Virgin and Child, 2000

Rachel Harrison, Untitled, 1999

Erwin Wurm, Fat Convertible, 2005