Vertors.comCement Carving
CEMENT CARVING
Many years ago I was experimenting with small concrete and cement textures and designs. I carved cement sculptures by filling boxes of different sizes and shapes. I waited just long enough fro the cement to get firm (1-2 hours) then stripped off the card board and went to whittling, scraping and gouging using screwdrivers, joint strikers, spoons, forks you name it. I experimented with a wide array of tools and carving devices for different surface textures. I made an ET figure for my kids, a lamp base for my wife and several bookends that I gave away as presents. To do this all you need is an idea for something you want to make, a box just a little larger than you end shape, some cement and sand, a soft bristled brush, a sponge and a variety of carving instruments. The cement mixture is a 1:3 ratio sand to cement – if you want to add color: purchase some at your hardware store and follow the instructions as different colors have a different density, some are powdered and some are liquid.
As the cement hardens (you have to finish with in a couple of hours) the sponge or soft bristled brush dipped in water will give you different textures. The challenge I always liked about this craft was the time limit – unlike modeling clay, you aren’t going to come back tomorrow and finish.
