Bas-relief in the interior from decorative plaster: master class

Interior spaces can be enhanced with depth and texture through the use of bas-relief art. Bas-reliefs are distinctive from conventional wall decorations in that they add a sculptural dimension that draws the eye and elicits admiration. These elaborate patterns, which are made from decorative plaster, can turn plain walls into breathtaking focal points.

Whether you’re a novice seeking to learn new skills or an experienced do-it-yourselfer, making a decorative plaster bas-relief is a satisfying project. With the correct advice and a little perseverance, you can become an expert in the process and give your house a unique touch.

You will be guided through all of the necessary steps in this master class, from priming the wall to applying and shaping the plaster. These instructions will help you to make a stunning bas-relief that will elevate the design of any space.

Bas-relief, panel, stucco

To work with a single technique, you must first comprehend the fundamental ideas. This will contribute to the creation of a visually pleasing and harmonious decorative decoration for the room’s interior. For a 3D drawing, there are various kinds of relief:

1. Bas-relief is a relief image of something on the surface of building structures (wall, ceiling, column, etc.).n.). In this case, the depicted object can protrude above the surface of the base by no more than half of its potential volume. The actual dimensions of the bas-relief depend on the chosen style and artistic execution, but for modern living spaces they rarely exceed 50-70 mm; making a more expressive relief is impractical, since in the cramped conditions of a city apartment it will interfere too much.
2. Panel – a relief or textured image of something that is applied to a part of the wall. Framed with certain frames: relief, with a painted ornament, baguette, frame and other material, etc.p. This type of decor is more suitable for decorating living spaces, both in terms of execution and in terms of ease of subsequent maintenance – cleaning, restoration, etc.p. As a technique for making a panel, not only bas-relief can be used, but also frescoes, mosaics, etc.p.
3. Stucco molding is one of the varieties of bas-relief, which is decorative overlays made of plaster, wood or polymers. Made in the form of various rosettes, pilasters, baguettes. As a rule, it is installed with glue at the top of the wall or ceiling.

Crucial! Art Nouveau style panels with floral and floristry themes are common. Since it doesn’t call for precise attention to actual shapes and sizes, it blends well with the majority of contemporary styles and is also one of the simplest to execute.

Bas-relief material

A relief panel can be made from any factory-made dry plaster mix. Nevertheless, you should consider the following qualities when selecting it:

• Maximum thickness of the working layer. When creating a relief panel from decorative plaster, the thickness can be slightly exceeded, but if the relief section has a large area and / or protrudes too high above the surface of the base, then additional reinforcement will be required. And the image itself will be quite fragile;
• Thixotropy is the ability of the plaster solution to slide off the applied surface under its own weight. It is necessary to choose compositions with minimal thixotropy indicators;
• Surface quality – the panels themselves are the final decorative finish of the surface. Quite often, a thin layer of paint or varnish is applied to them, both as a finishing touch and for protection. All surface defects, if they should not be present according to the artistic idea, will be clearly visible. Therefore, it is recommended to use finishing or multi-finishing putty;
• The life of the solution – when doing the work yourself, especially in the absence of experience, it will take quite a long time to create a bas-relief. Therefore, it is recommended to mix small portions of the plaster mixture. And also choose those compositions in which the life of the finished solution is more than 60 minutes;
• Adhesion to the surface is one of the main indicators for choosing a plaster mixture for creating a panel. Determines the strength of the connection of the decorative element with the base, as well as the reliability of fastening individual elements or layers of the bas-relief to each other.

Gypsum putties for finishing and multi-finishing are ideal for using in rooms with normal humidity levels to create decorative plaster pictures.

Cement-based putties are the recommended choice for rooms with high humidity levels. Plaster with a large fraction filler is advised as an intermediate base for bas-reliefs with a large area and high local thickness. These could be any kind of beginning plaster. Their application will supply the required volume and lay a strong basis for dependable finishing putty fixing.

Crucial! It is essential to select dry building mixtures with the same kind of binder when using different base and finishing materials. Put gypsum putty on a gypsum base and cement putty on a cement base, respectively.

Furthermore, there are ready-made compositions like Marmur Stucco, VGT Bas-relief, and Clavel Riviera that are specifically made for bas-reliefs.

The base for sculptural painting

Almost any building material or structure that is strong enough can serve as a base, including bare brick, concrete (panel) walls, plasterboard, magnesite sheets, and various starting plasters. Pre-matting is required for low-adhesion, smooth materials. Their surface is prepared with coarse sandpaper to achieve this.

It should be mentioned that deformable non-mineral materials like chipboard, fiberboard, plastic, and wooden lining are not ideal for using decorative plaster to create pictures. It is highly advised that you disassemble them before beginning any work, and that you perform all of your work on mineral bases.

In order to create a base with sufficient adhesion, wooden walls composed of timber or rounded logs should be sheathed with gypsum board.

Necessary tool

Trowels and other thinner tools are used when making panels out of decorative plaster by hand, as opposed to trowels for plastering smooth surfaces. Most frequently employed:

• Palette knives are miniature trowels with an original blade shape.

They can be purchased separately or as sets of multiple tools. The palette knife’s spatula, or working portion, is composed of stainless steel and varies in elasticity. Practice makes perfect: working with soft elastic tools is the easiest for novice performers. For removing excess from bas-relief elements, a longer spatula and a harder palette knife work well together.

• Screens for cutting.

Utilized in ceramics. They are made of variously shaped steel wires or plates that have been rolled into a loop. For a less expensive option, you can work with plasticine using a set of plastic stacks.

• Paint brush with artificial bristles.

Used to wet the working surface and soften sharp edges in case the panel’s plaster has dried out. Additionally employed during the last stage of processing, when a thin coating of transparent protective varnish is applied to the bas-relief’ssurface.

• Medium and small spatulas are used to form the main volume of relief, when performing a large volume of work.

An original method of giving interior spaces depth and artistic flair is by utilizing decorative plaster to create a bas-relief. You will be guided step-by-step through the entire process in this master class, from surface preparation to plaster application and detailed detail addition. Regardless of your level of experience, you’ll discover how to create gorgeous, personalized wall art that elevates any space.

Cleaning and priming the wall

To maximize adhesion to the working surface and remove the chance of cracking the decorative coating, the working base needs to be prepared ahead of time. This is a very easy process that involves the following tasks:

1. The surface is cleaned of dust, dirt, old finishing materials;
2. All defects are eliminated – cracks, cavities, etc.. Significant irregularities are removed provided that they cannot become the basis for a bas-relief. For high-quality correction of defects, all flaws must be thoroughly cleaned to full depth. Then local areas are treated with a deep penetration primer. After a few hours, they can be filled with a cement-based repair mixture. If the structure has a tendency to shrinkage deformations, it is recommended to use a serpyanka plaster mesh on deep cracks and expansion joints between panels.
3. After the repair mixture has dried (3-5 days), the surface is cleaned again and treated with a deep penetration primer. For hygroscopic materials such as gypsum plaster, plasterboard blocks made of porous concrete, it is recommended to apply a primer coating in two layers.

Making a decorative plaster bas-relief is a satisfying way to give your interior a unique touch. Using the appropriate supplies and methods, you can turn an ordinary wall into a gorgeous work of art that expresses your personal style.

Professional-looking results can be achieved even by beginners by following the steps in this master class. The secret is to take your time and pay close attention to details, letting each layer completely dry before adding the next.

Adding a decorative plaster bas-relief to a feature wall or creating a focal point in a room adds elegance, depth, and texture to your home. It’s a long-lasting investment in your area that will be appreciated.

Video on the topic

Plaster from putty lunar surface! We recommend watching it! We recommend watching it!

Bas-relief or stucco. Roses part 3

Master class "Bas-relief of magnolia" from gypsum putty with your own hands

BAS-RELIEF IN 5 MINUTES! EASY! COOL IDEA FOR THE INTERIOR! Fix Price watch in a new look!