Materials:
- Pasta machine
- Two parts putty or silicon mix
- Rolling pin
- Medium size ceramic tile
- Textures, found objects, leaves etc.
- Styrofoam (take out boxes or used meat trays)
- Pen or stylus
1. Select the materials you would like to get textures from. If you want to use leaves, it works better if you press them inside a phone book for a few days, so they are flat. You can draw your own texture on Styrofoam with a pen or stylus, use fabric, lace or any texture you like.
2. Mix equal parts of two parts putty. I use this "Amazing" putty that does not stick, is not oily and is food grade. The mix usually starts to set in 1 minute, so work fast.
3. Make a thick snake and pass it through the pasta machine in the thickest setting one time or until smooth. Remember you don't have much time before the mix starts setting.
4. When you have the mix ready and flat, you can add your texture. I usually work on top of a ceramic tile or glass surface. You can do the next step two ways.
a. You can put the leaf, like in this case, and press it with the rolling pin. Two firm passes should be enough if you want crisp details. Do not press to hard or many times because the shape will be distorted and you will lose the details.
b. If you are using your Styrofoam texture, you can put the putty on top of the texture and then press with the rolling pin. Again remember not to press to hard or too many times or you will lose the detail. In the picture below I am working over a ceramic tile and I have one leaf on the bottom and one leaf on top. This is going to be a double sided texture plate.
Either way works. Your pick.
5. Let the mix cure about 20 minutes or according to manufacturer directions. Remove the object (leaf) and your texture plate is ready to use.
The textures plates have a very good detail, they are flexible and they are about 3 mm thick.
Good luck...!!! Next time I will teach you how to make mold boxes for two parts putty.
