portrait-sculpture.com

[Heidi Maiers]

Yep, that's right Lori. The granite itself is brown, although I did put a little bit of a brown solvent wash on it just to bring out the detail a little more. Then just waxed it. The "granite" is the same stuff they use to make corian countertop and comes in infinite colors it seems.
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Heidi Maiers
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[Lori]

Wow - very interesting. It's mixed into a resin or forton I assume?
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Cheers!

Lori Kiplinger Pandy
www.kiplingerpandy.com
www.silverliningsculpture.com
http://lorikiplingerpandy.blogspot.com/

[Heidi Maiers]

Right. Looks best mixed with clear resin. I buy it from this site, but you have to buy pretty large bags. Artistone, DuraStone, and Terra Bella are all good for casting.
http://www.acstone.com/pages/products.html

The one I used here is "Hickory" Artistone http://www.acstone.com/pages/granfillers/mn_as_colors.html
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Heidi Maiers
Forum Owner
If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
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[Jeanette Lewis]

Hi Heidi,
love this brown granite piece. I think it looks great!

[Tim LeVane]

Very nice work Heidi. Love the Brown

[Chris Wooten]

So I have to ask what resin are you using, what ratios, and with something this larger are you slush casting it or pouring it solid? Hope you don't mind answering any of those.
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Chris Wooten

www.wootensart.com

[Heidi Maiers]

Hi Chris,
I usually mix it with Smooth On Smooth Cast 326, which is clear. Really, any clear resin will do. Ratios are close to 1 part A mixed with 2 parts granite powder, then mix that with 1 part B. Stir a minute or so until the particles are suspended in the liquid evenly and then slush cast. It is pretty thick when I pour it, about like pancake batter, so I usually do it in several batches, one section at a time. (Slush back and forth rather than rolling). With the thinner mixtures I pour it in and roll it around, coating all sides at once.
If it is a small piece (5 inches or less), it's easier to just pour it solid. Usually get a better cast that way and the material has a nice weightyness to it.
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Heidi Maiers
Forum Owner
If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
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[Chris Wooten]

Thanks Heidi. I really appreciate it. I was wondering how you were getting a nice casting without air bubbles if you had been pouring it solid. Also, I absolutely love the bust, what a cool project.
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Chris Wooten

www.wootensart.com

[Heidi Maiers]

Oh, I neglected to mention that after I slush cast a full size piece - about 1/2 inch thickness of material - I then back that on the inside with a layer of forton/fiberglass mixture for reinforcement. Then I also secure the mounting bolt in with forton. Haven't had problems with air bubbles at all using the granite and it's easy to patch if needed by mixing up some of the material, applying it to the defect, then sand or tool it down once it's set up and steel wool the whole piece for an even lustre. Patches are invisible.
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Heidi Maiers
Forum Owner
If you learned something here, consider donating to the COFFEE FUND!
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[Vikki Farrington]

Heidi what a wonderful work. I bet he was thrilled to have you sculpt him. I really am amazed and in awe, at the detail you get in your sculpts. this sculpts neck, chin and mouth a well as the rest of him I thought quite grand. thanks for sharing.