Do-it-yourself relief plaster and paintings made from it

It can be satisfying to create your own paintings and designs in relief plaster. Ordinary walls can be turned into one-of-a-kind works of art with a few simple supplies and a little imagination. With this method, you can add a unique touch to your home decor and personalize your area.

To give walls a three-dimensional appearance, relief plaster is applied in textured patterns. Any room can benefit from the depth and character that relief plaster can add, regardless of your preference for subtle or bold designs. You can create anything from straightforward textures to complex wall art by mastering the fundamentals.

Additionally, DIY relief plaster offers countless opportunities for creative expression. To begin, all you need is the willingness to try new things and have fun with the process—you don’t even need to be an experienced artist. You can become an expert in the technique and produce breathtaking visual effects on your walls with a little instruction and practice.

What is it?

Surface finishing materials include relief decorative plaster. It starts with a binder to which various resins, mineral components, stone chips, and lime are added as auxiliary additives. The future relief plaster’s texture and appearance are determined by their quantity and composition.

This kind of relief plaster is used to create patterns that have the structure and appearance of wood, granite, orange peel, plants, and bark beetles (i.e., a wall that has been eaten away by insects). It could be a completed painting or an abstract pattern. Both interior spaces and external facades can be treated in this manner. You can apply relief plaster with your hands and it will turn out just like any master, so don’t be afraid of all these patterns and abstractions. All you have to do is research the matter a little. This kind of thing is comparable to art, such as plaster painting.

Most significantly, you don’t need to hire professionals to decorate the walls or ceilings of an apartment with relief plaster; you can do it yourself. It suffices to learn some of the subtleties related to the structure of the working solutions and how to use them correctly in order to accomplish this.

Practice on small areas where such plaster can be made; it makes sense. Small flaws in the finish coat will show if you are not proficient in the application process.

Differences in mixtures by chemical composition.

Since the material’s foundation can consist of a variety of substances, components with particular qualities can be used to create such relief plaster:

1. silicone. It is used mainly for the external decoration of facades. This plaster is quite elastic and allows steam to pass through well. The main advantage is easy care. The coating is easy to clean, and when finishing the exterior, a little rain is enough to return the walls to their original appearance. However, this type of solution is highly expensive;
2. mineral. It is a cladding based on lime or cement, sometimes with the addition of marble chips (the greater its concentration, the more noticeable the relief). It is sold in dry form, so before use the composition must be brought to the optimal consistency by diluting it with water. The mixture is universal. Therefore, it can be used both in the interior and for the facade of a building.
3. polymer (acrylic plaster). This bas-relief plaster is completely ready to be applied to the base with your own hands. The filler in the composition is fly ash, glass or marble chips. The composition does not allow steam to pass through well, so it is used for processing indoors. But it also behaves well outside, withstanding the effects of the atmosphere;
4. silicate. Is a mineral substance with a binding component in the form of potassium liquid glass. Such relief plaster is optimal for processing and creating any surface.

Differences in mixtures by the texture of the final drawing.

Plaster relief paintings created by hand have varying textures and patterns. There are various coating options; the following are the most widely used ones:

• marble effect – this plaster is also called "Venetian". The solution is made on the basis of natural marble flour with the addition of water emulsion and lime (slaked). The main condition for application is a perfectly smooth wall. Distinctive characteristics: water resistance, no unpleasant odor, fire resistance;
• flock coating is glue with the addition of colored inclusions. The final pattern is similar to mosaic chips. The application technology is quite original: first, the wall is coated with a sticky substance, and then multi-colored crumbs are thrown on top;
• textured surface – used most often, since it does not require special skills. This method involves applying the composition using special tools (for example, a relief roller with a pattern intended for plastering) or improvised means such as polyethylene film, a sponge, a spatula. You can even form a pattern with your hands;
• structural ornament, formed from a heterogeneous mass with granular inclusions in the form of granules. Often used for cladding part of the building both inside and outside. Due to the fact that it is based on a water solvent, it is environmentally friendly.
• glazing, with the help of which the effect of "old" walls is achieved. Such a mixture does not contain toxins, distinguished by resistance to external influences.

Advantages and disadvantages.

There are several benefits to using relief plaster. The following are the most important ones:

1. insulation effect. To achieve this, you need to pre-treat the wall with a primer (before applying the plaster);
2. the ability to disguise any irregularities and tuberosity on the basis of walls;
3. Easy operation. Detailed instructions for using any type of plaster is indicated on production packaging. Usually, relief plaster is applied with your own hands and easily, the main thing is to use the simplest tool (roller, spatula). In addition, with its help you can process almost any coating;
4. A wide range of plaster allows you to choose the necessary product suitable for the general design of the room;
5. Environmental purity. Almost all solutions for embossed decorative plaster do not contain toxins, there are no harmful substances;
6. Aesthetic appearance. This material for facing looks quite original and elegant;
7. resistance to external mechanical influences, changing weather conditions;
8. protection against absorption of extraneous smells;
9. Ease of care. If the walls are dirty, they can simply be washed with running water;
10. durability.

Its exorbitant cost is its sole disadvantage. But when all the benefits are considered, buying it is a very wise investment that will undoubtedly pay for itself over many years of use.

Preparation for work and a couple more tips.

Although applying relief decorative plaster is relatively easy, it still calls for a few abilities, a rudimentary understanding of repair work, and rigorous adherence to process technology. As such, you must evaluate the possibilities realistically before taking any further action.

You must first make sure that all the instruments required to apply relief plaster with your hands are available. In order to avoid getting sidetracked by the search in the future, you must complete this beforehand. Thus, you’ll need:

• spatulas of different widths;
• trowel (it is better if it is metal);
• spatula for processing corners;
• grater;
• a sponge (if the finishing coat will be applied with it);
• a relief roller designed for plastering;
• a container for preparing the solution (if a ready-made solution is not used).

The area that needs to be treated must be ready before you can start plastering. In order to accomplish this, scrape off the remaining old coating from the walls and, if applicable, clean them of dust, dirt, and mold. The old plaster can be left in place as long as it is firmly adhered to. If there are visible flaws, putty is used to level them, and once they dry, sanding is done. To look for voids, tapping the walls is also advised. The floor covering is covered in a film to prevent contamination.

Application cannot start until the surfaces have been primed with a primer solution, which is rolled on with a standard roller in a thin layer up to 2 mm thick.

It is essential to ascertain the composition of the wall surface before proceeding. For processing concrete, for instance, a mineral-based primer works well; however, an acrylic solution works best for brickwork. If you are unsure about your options, you can always seek advice from a hardware store salesperson.

Using it to create DIY relief plaster and one-of-a-kind wall paintings is a fun and satisfying way to give your house a bit of personality and texture. You can add depth and character to any space by turning plain walls into beautiful works of art using easy techniques and inexpensive tools. Relief plaster offers an endless range of creative possibilities that anyone can achieve, even without professional experience, whether the goal is to create subtle accents or a bold statement.

How to apply relief plaster correctly.

Using a ready-made decorative composition or independently forming the finishing pattern (improvising with texture and shades) are the two methods by which relief plaster is applied to the base by hand. Let’s think about them both.

Ready plaster. Work algorithm:

• applying the first layer, which acts as a leveling base. If after preliminary preparation there are still minor defects, they are removed at this stage. With special care, you should process the seams between the slabs, corners, unevenness and differences. All actions are performed using a spatula of the required length. The result of this stage is a perfectly flat surface (without depressions, seams, chips and cracks);
• do-it-yourself application of bas-relief plaster. Now you can approach the process creatively and choose the number of layers and the technique of laying the finished mixture (based on personal preferences). Another option is to strictly follow the instructions on the material packaging. In any case, the solution will acquire an original pattern due to the special composition;
• finishing. Includes polishing and painting (if necessary). You can proceed to this stage only after the material has completely hardened, usually it takes about a day (manufacturers indicate the exact time it takes to dry on the mixture packaging). To polish the surface to a glossy shine, wax is most often used, as well as other means. Painting the surface is not always required, since many ready-made plaster mixtures already contain dyes. If the base is colorless, then the required shade of paint is selected and applied in a thin, even layer.

Relief plaster with a structure that is made independently. Tips for carrying out work:

• preparatory processes and stages of laying are carried out according to the same algorithm as with ready-made plaster;
• if it is supposed to apply a combined composition of different shades and textures, then each layer is prepared and tinted immediately before application, as the process progresses;
• each subsequent layer of material is laid only after the previous one has completely dried. This rule especially applies to relief paintings made of plaster, formed by hand, since it will prevent mixing of colors and blurring of the pattern;
• it should be taken into account that the shade obtained during the preparation of the composition, after application and drying, will become 2-3 tones lighter;
• as already mentioned, to apply the finished solution to the wall, you can use any handy object such as washcloths, brushes, crumpled cellophane, fingers – the options are limited only by your own imagination. If you want a clearer pattern, it is better to use a special roller or stencil;
• relief plaster is formed no later than half an hour after application, since subsequently it will begin to harden and finally lose its plasticity;
• the tools must be perfectly clean. This will help to avoid breaking the pattern lines and the appearance of inclusions of foreign color.

It is wise to choose the application method and layer count in advance. This will result in a variety of transitions and inhomogeneities that are visible during the application process.

Creating relief paintings and decorative panels from plaster.

Even the most exquisite room, not to mention ordinary apartments, will benefit from the addition of handmade plaster relief paintings. Stencils are typically used to create these kinds of masterpieces.

The surface and decorative mixture preparation technology follows the same algorithm as previously explained in the paragraphs. The following are detailed steps for using a stencil to transform regular plaster into an artistic creation on the wall:

1. creating a stencil. It is usually made of paper or other dense sheet material. The thicker the stencil, the more visible the relief on the picture will be;
2. using glue or double-sided adhesive tape, the stencil is fixed to the surface to be decorated;
3. plaster is applied over the stencil. To give the picture a more natural and organic look, some elements can be drawn by hand;
4. the stencil is pulled out of the wall at the moment when the solution has already set, but has not yet dried completely. If it is useful in the future, it must be thoroughly cleaned of the solution and dried;
5. if the layer has completely dried, then it is time to start painting the picture in accordance with the original idea.

Making your own relief plaster art can give your house a distinctive look. Anyone can accomplish amazing results with the right tools and a little perseverance; the process is not as hard as it might seem. The possibilities are unlimited, ranging from straightforward textured walls to more elaborate designs.

By experimenting with various methods, you can design a unique appearance that expresses your sense of style. Working with relief plaster allows you to explore new creative possibilities, whether you’re adding texture to a single wall or painting a whole mural.

You’ll understand how satisfying it is to make something with your hands once you witness the transformation that plaster art can bring about in your environment. You can transform any wall in your house into a masterpiece that will stand out with a few simple steps.

Video on the topic

TEXTURE PAINTINGS😍 HOW TO MAKE CANVAS WITH YOUR OWN HANDS

Decorative plaster with a syringe! Original method of application for 150 rubles.

DIY painting from fabric and gypsum plaster. DIY Plaster ART

DIY INTERIOR PAINTINGS//DIY MORDEN INTERIOR ART (+floating frame)