Jump to content

How To- Make Own Relief Mold


Recommended Posts

Hi

I've had a few people ask for a "how to" overview of the process to make relief molds. I will contact the Ceramics Art Daily to see if they can put up a fuller version with photos but this is a brief into.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the kind words and encouragement.

 

I'm new to pottery, as in a couple of months new so may not get the technical terms right. I sucked at conventional pottery, I mean really sucked, so I've tinkered about with a new sprig mold technique and think I've pretty much cracked it.

 

You can use two different methods to make the molds. Using a laser cutter, if you have access to one. There are loads of schools and hack spaces that let you hire them for a couple of quid a day. This is super quick and easy. It's just like an old fashioned printer but burns instead of prints. A 2 x 2 inch mold takes 5min to produce, no matter how complex. The size of the mold is only limited to the size of the printer and go up to 5ft square. You can etch lines as shallow or as deep as you like and the width of the line can go to a very fine 1/4mm, which still shows up on the clay.

If you don't have a laser cutter near you there are places online that will do it for you, you just send them your art work. I haven't used them myself but will check some out and feedback.

 

The second method I'd using a dremel to hand draw a image. This gives you much more artistic freedom and the ability to add varying depth to images. You can get new dremel or similar brand from the likes of Maplins for about £20 complete with loads of different attachments.

 

The final thing Is the material you use to cut into. Acrylic/plastic is nice to cut into and very durable, but tends to stick to clay. Plywood is my second favorite, on a laser cutter you will need special plywood which the venue will sell, it's still cheap. Or of you are using a dremel then any plywood will do. By far the best substance is MDF. Because it's made of paper the clay doesn't stick at all. If you get in sheets of 6mm or less you can cut quite deep but still peel the MDF off rather than peeling the clay off the MDF which can cause warping in drying.

Once you have your design, (etched/drawn in reverse) you just roll out a slab of clay, lay over the mold and press down with fingers (rolling over the back with a rolling pin doesn't work as the pressure is too uniform). If you want a neat back then you can roll overy with a rolling pin afterwards.

Peel of clay, or better if you peel of the mold. Cut to whatever shape you want,plate, mug or tile and just shape as you would with any other slab project.

I will put up a video walking through the process so it makes more sense.

 

The process makes uniform production fast and simple, the 12 tiles below took 20mins to produce.

 

If you laser etch you can blow up your image without losing definition (see below)

 

You can vary designes quick and easily. The 4 tiles below took 2 hours from searching google for images to laser etching to making the tile.

 

There are some more images I've added to my gallery that show how fine or vivid you can make the strokes. Feel free to ask any questions about the images.

 

Q. Do I sell the molds.

A. No, I don't. I've done this to contribute to the community that's generously gives its advice and support everyone.

 

Q. Will I make molds for other artists.

A. Yes, I'm happy to send some test molds for people to try out, just feedback to the forum on the results.

If you have a specific design you want doing then let me known and I will be glad to help, if I can.

I'm up working with other artist on projects. Just drop me line. I have already been comissioned for some ceramic street art and currently working with tattoo artist to reproduce his designes on tiles.

 

Thank you again to everyone in the forum. Your advice and support has been tremendous.

 

Darran

post-76862-0-84069500-1471167853_thumb.jpg

post-76862-0-91147800-1471168019_thumb.jpg

post-76862-0-15233300-1471168600_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.