Be careful and gently ease the separation. The mold can usually be separated from the piece a few minutes after the smoothing work has finished. Avoid rubbing across the edges of strips. Having finished the bandaging, with wet fingers or a soft paint brush, maneuver surplus plaster paste across the surface of the mold. The strips will begin to set in 3 to 5 minutes depending on the room temperature, humidity and the number of layers. Working with wet hands, gently press and smooth the surface, drawing the wet plaster across the fabric until the texture disappears. Wait for a few seconds for the water to soak in then apply it to your armature or mold. Working with one strip at a time immerse the bandage for about 4 seconds being careful not to fold it over against itself.

Simply rub a thin layer of Vasoline or dish detergent onto the surface of the mold. If you are using a mold, prepare it by applying a release agent. Any hard pieces can be thrown into the garbage. Please take it outside and dump into the grassy area behind the building. Please note: when you are finished, the water should not be put down the sink, as it will clog. Have ready a towel to dry your hands, scissors, a soft paint brush, and a sponge.

Work with 2 buckets of water, one for dipping and one for keeping your hands clean. Once dipped in water, the plaster residue becomes pasty and workable and the bandage can be wrapped around. The bandage should be kept dry until use – any unused lengths should be kept in a sealed plastic bag.

The plaster-coated bandage is simply dipped in water and then used either as a covering, as a reinforcing layer, or to make a casing – which can be more or less rigid according to how much material is used. Daniel Arsham (click image to see more of his work)

Plaster cloth strips