Hebel sculpture - colouring

TMLLOYD · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

Hi, just finished a Hebel carving and I was wondering what would be best to colour it with? I was thinking manganese oxide wash, yellow ochre or copper oxide? Whats the best way to bring out the definition. I'm also wondering what to seal the sculpture with?

thanks for your help

Tina

gggraph · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: Re - Hebel sculpture - colouring

Hi Tina - don't have a clue about your question, but I'm curious: what's Hebel carving? I've Googled it, but the results were mostly about building materials. What is it, and how are you using it?

Cheers

Grant

TMLLOYD · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

Hebel is "cement fondue" that is airated cement blocks. 600mm x 200mm x200mm which are structural or non structural and both can be used for carving using chisels and files.

I'm conducting a course on this, this weekend in Woolgoolga & next month in Corndale if you are interested...

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

I have a friend who has done a large hebel sculpture of a teapot and painted in yellow. I'll ask him what he used when I see him next.

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

You could probably seal it with Bondcrete although it doesn't really need it. I'd imagine most paints/stains would work. Practice on a small bit first. Also we used to plaster over it to give smooth surface. (Add a bit of PVA into plaster). Again, experiment first.

TMLLOYD · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

hey thanks that would be good but i really wish 4 acceleration on this as i am ready to colour sculptures now, last week and have been waiting for someone to have an answer but 4 me it is all too slow ...

TMLLOYD · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

hey Belle, thanks thats real valuable info. tar. Would you leave it white or use manganese oxide wash to bring out the definition? I am hesitant because it will fill the textured holes and it may accentuate all the flaws instead of the desired effect. However putting a render of plaster may well be the trick to preventing this? What is your opinion? Again thanks a lot, Tina

TMLLOYD · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

Cheers Belle your advise answered my probs. successfully, thankyou. Only i used grout 'cause my works are for outdoors and i didn't think that the plaster would stand the test of time and made a paste with PVA have covered it now and will be better able to evenly colour them, ie without the holes & flaws being accentuated. I know i could have used cement but that would give a grey finish and the white of grout is a good finish for colouring. The sculpture that i have done is still drying & i will let you know how it turned out. Again thanks for your invaluable input. Tina

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

Glad to be of help. Hebel sculptures left raw survive very well outside. I haven't tried grout but it makes sense. There are all sorts of finishes you can use on plaster (and presumably grout). You can make it look bronze, or marble or boot polish it (looks like leather or wood) or paint it. Depends on your final concept.

miriam ross · Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 15 Location: New South Wales

hello, probably a bit late with the response but i use cement sealer. the type you buy from bunnings. it looks like water and it paints on very fast. once dry you cant see it. What it does is it stops water getting to the hebel. A bit like water off a ducks back. It also stops stuff staining the cement e.g. spills etc. Particularly useful for me cos I put all my pieces outdoors so I can clean them and they look as good as new. I am a mosaic teacher and wouldnt recommend grout. There is a very specific product for this called hebel render. Also at hardware stores. If you go down this path you can colour the hebel render using cement oxides or you can paint it when it is completely dry.

topsculptures · Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 5 Location: china

Hi, Hebel Sculptures? www.topsculptures.com