Sculpting with foam and painting it?

[Apostle Talon]

Hello there, for my 3D design class we are making sculptures with polystyrene foam. Basically an object in every day life but with something unusual(like a pipe with a snake coming out of it.)

What I'm doing is simple, a red bull can with ..you guessed it, wings coming out of the side. Originally I was going to have the wings folded, but imo they would be too hard to notice, so I opted with the wings sprouting out on both sides.

A few questions I HAVE!

1. For one, the type of paint..I'm leaning towards acrylic..but what KIND exactly? Judging by the can it uses a metallic blue, and silver, and some metallic yellow. I already have red paint so that's not a problem since it matches the pure non metallic red on the can..but the rest..I'm a bit lost.
   
   
2. TAPE,I need to get crisp lines. I do have the standard blue masking tape..forgot the exact term..but its such a pain in the ass to use..i swear it just..falls off. Never fails, especially on non flat services that curve. I'm thinking just using scotch tape..considering it adheres better on curvy things and doesn't leak through..any advice on this?
   
   
3. The small print and images! If you ever look at a red bull can, you can see the various Nutrition facts on the back and other small texts. Also in the front as you can see the two small bulls..this will be really hard to precisely print. I really want to make this can look as closely to a red bull can as I can. I was thinking getting transparent sticky paper you can print on and doing it that way.. thoughts? Same with the red bulls, instead of drawing them on and trying to paint them, maybe instead print them and stick them on there.
   
   
4. GLUE! I will have to glue the wings on, I am wondering if there is a kind of special glue where it will make it seem as if the wings fit on seamless. If not which is better, gorilla glue or hot glue?
   
   
5. THE FINISH! I want it to look shiny like a real can. I have some multi-purpose spray Varnish, would this do? Will i need something else?

I've looked at this.. http://www.ehow.com/how_4967073_make...culptures.html but I do not know how accurate the guide they provided is. They state I should initially paint it in white or yellow before going over it in any type of paint..along with the special glue I should use..but I want to make sure before I do something I regret...either blowing cash I don't have or making it look like a hot mess.

I need all the help I can get! The sculpture will be done soon, and I know it will be a pain to paint..so anything will help to make things as smooth as possible.

Thankyou,

-Talon

[Black Spot]

2. Try duct tape. Wonderful stuff.

[LaurenWilsonArt]

Polystyrene foam... which kind was that again, craft foam? Like a thinner version of what cheap flip flops are made of? Assuming that's what I'm thinking of, here's what I suggest.

Hot glue works just fine on this foam, but if you're using thin sheets, the heat can distort and warp it, especially if you use a high-temp gun. If you're using thicker sheets, it shouldn't be noticiable. Try to glue on the inside of your seams so it doesn't show as much on the outside. Gorilla glue expands to four times its size and is orange, it's only good for certain projects, and I don't think this is one of those.

Foam really sucks up paint like nobody's business- I suggest painting it in a thin layer of watered-down Elmer's glue to seal the surface before painting, but of course be careful of brush strokes. You can also try experimenting with spray varnishes and fixatives to seal the surface.

Finally, I know you didn't ask for critique on the concept itself, but I would really rethink it. It's a really obvious design solution that's not terribly interesting- the association of Red Bull + wings has been well ingrained into the brains of anyone who has seen the many advertisements. Try something strange and exciting! Maybe recall something interesting from a dream.

[Apostle Talon]

Polystyrene foam... which kind was that again, craft foam? Like a thinner version of what cheap flip flops are made of? Assuming that's what I'm thinking of, here's what I suggest.

Hot glue works just fine on this foam, but if you're using thin sheets, the heat can distort and warp it, especially if you use a high-temp gun. If you're using thicker sheets, it shouldn't be noticiable. Try to glue on the inside of your seams so it doesn't show as much on the outside. Gorilla glue expands to four times its size and is orange, it's only good for certain projects, and I don't think this is one of those.

Foam really sucks up paint like nobody's business- I suggest painting it in a thin layer of watered-down Elmer's glue to seal the surface before painting, but of course be careful of brush strokes. You can also try experimenting with spray varnishes and fixatives to seal the surface.

Finally, I know you didn't ask for critique on the concept itself, but I would really rethink it. It's a really obvious design solution that's not terribly interesting- the association of Red Bull + wings has been well ingrained into the brains of anyone who has seen the many advertisements. Try something strange and exciting! Maybe recall something interesting from a dream.

Thankyou, and thankyou to the poster above! And yes, I had a different concept before..however that this point of the project its too late to go back. =( I love crafting with this foam though, so easy to work it, you could use your finger to etch in what shapes you wanted if need be, so I plan to work with it so more to make figures.

I'm a tad uncertain with the elmer's glue, I may try on another piece of foam and see how that goes. For sure I will pop in the art store and see why kind of varnishes might be better for the final project. Yes it is basically crafter like foam, its pretty dense, which allows if sanded quite the smooth feel.


Anyone have any tips on what kind of paint should I work with? I really want to get some convincing tin can look going!

[bhfoamworks]

Yo bro, if your still working on the flying can you might want a small frame in the wings area, using a good plastic coating will keep it from breaking easily also. If your interested i know were you can order materials to get the job done. Good luck with your foamworks project.

[bhfoamworks]

Vinyl wrap it.