Plaster Studio: Mixed-Media Techniques for Painting, Casting and Carving

After waiting for five months on the pre-release list, Plaster Studio by Stephanie Lee and Judy Wise is finally in my hands. It's the perfect book for mixed media artists who loved to play in the mud as little girls (or boys) and who -- as grownups -- love to explore media with tactile qualities. The book is beautifully written (I knew Stephanie and Judy were talented artists, but they can write, too). It's beautifully photographed and laid out, as well.There's a technical intro about what plaster is and what tools can be used -- both short and sweet. After that, it jumps right in to the meat of things. It covers painting on plaster, going back in and adding more plaster to a plaster painting, adding imagery via tissue paper prints or image transfers. It presents a step-by-step method to do "faux frescoes," use stencils, or add metal foil for highlights. Each new technique has a materials list and goes through process with both words and images.Some of the more unusual techniques include cracked burlap, casting and carving, and combining plaster (or joint compound) with assemblage -- including assemblage using items you've cast yourself from plaster. Who knew you could take one little Frozen Charlotte and clone her to infinity?There's also some basic info on combining plaster painting with the use of encaustic medium and since I am a new encaustic convert, that was appealing. There are also some intriguing 3-D sculptural projects, including my favorite -- a foam Santo. Those of you into book arts will find some options you might never have considered.So if you're a mixed media artist who loves tactile media with lots of exploratory potential, Stephanie and Judy's book will be a great resource.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book, as I have taken classes from both Judy and Stephanie and know them both to be masterful artists as well as generous and knowledgeable teachers. There is not another book out there that goes into the specifics of using this unique medium in all its interesting artistic variations. I look forward to trying every single project in this book, (the project samples are a visual feast for the eyes) and learning all about the possibilities of plaster in mixed media. Bravo you two!!

This is a very good and detailed book for the artist who wants to incorporate plaster into his/her 2-D art projects. I thought it would have more about sculptural plaster art and was disappointed. It covers a lot of different types of projects using paint and plaster. It would be a great reference or how-to book for teaching plaster infused art for the art teacher.

OK, I buy more art books than I am willing to admit... but this one, is a keeper, really if you want to create, this book will give you tools to do so... VERY WELL DONE Stephanie and Judy... this book has an incredible variety of projects that can be tweaked to your own style, truly worth every single penny... this book is extremely inspirational and I can say that it would be very hard to criticize this book... in fact if I were to write a book, I couldn't imagine what I would change about it... NICE JOB STEPHANIE AND JUDY! (and whoever helped you!!!)

I really liked Stephanies first book so I thought I would take a walk on the wild side and try this for something different. I am going to a painting class at Art unravelled in phoenix and need to to bring several types of board to paint on so I decided to try the project on P.42 which is doing a plaster pour on a cradle board. I went through the easy instructions and did the pour just fine with edges taped off. The next part was really super fun- after the plaster dried and i peeled away the tape the sides needed to be carved down the a trowel and I really enjoyed that- I think I could get really creative carving any design I wanted. The carving went really easy and had a good hand feel to it. I am anxious to try more of the projects now and I can't wait to see how the ones I made paint up! If i have time I will add to this review later.

I admit that not all the artwork in here is my cup of tea. In fact, I admit that not even half of the art in here is. However, as an instruction book into the medium, I found the info to be complete and helpful. The photos are good. The ideas, if not to my taste, will at least give a beginner somewhere to go while they are discovering the medium. It's a good place to start even if you don't want to finish your pieces as shown here.

I loved this inspiring creative book. I have read it over and over and over and still find new ideas to try. I love the mediums of plaster and wax and found many techniques i have never tried or seen before.. I love the earthyness of this medium. The authors have tried and tested just about everything they could think of in the way of techniques and we have the benefit of their knowledge and amended projects that have gone wrong...It is inspiring, and thats what i expect from any art or craft 'how to' book.. Highly recommended

This book is a great tool for learning a new technique with plaster and wax. It is easy to follow along with a ton of great pictures! Judy and Stephanie also offer a class in E-Book form so you can follow along visually with the techniques. Check out their blogs! Fun, Fun, Fun!

This book is presented in a workshop type manner giving good instruction with photos. There are some fun techniques in this book I am looking forward to explore.

Voilà de quoi inspirer les artistes du mixed media en utilisant du plâtre de Paris ou du composé à joints (ce dernier a l'air plus facile à trouver aux USA qu'en France). En effet, j'y ai trouvé tout un tas de superbes réalisations, trés bien illustrées de photos, de pas à pas plutôt détaillés et compréhensibles seulement beaucoup sont à base de "joint compound" et c'est parfois difficile de trouver l'équivalent de leurs produits américains en France... C'est le seul hic de ce livre: trouver LE produit équivalent ici. Sinon, beaucoup d'idées, de jolies choses, et d'ailleurs j'ai été agréablement surprise car la couverture ne m'inspirait guère, et les réalisations à l'intérieur étaient beaucoup plus à mon goût! A conseiller !

Weit weg von trögen Statuen und Reliefs aus der Mottenkiste. In diesem Buch lernt man Gips mal ganz anders kennen. Tipps und Techniken vor allem auch zur Weiterbearbeitung und zum Finish mit Acryl und Wachs.Unbedingt zu empfehlen.

Was happy with service and product.

The book is a very good introduction into the use of plaster in one's art. A bit light on the instructions, especially on finishing each demo piece. But still helpful, nonetheless. I bought a used copy so definitely received my money's worth.