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#1 2012-06-07 20:36:33
Book Sculpture
As my school year nears its end, I was reminded by my art teacher that I still haven't done one of the homework assignments. It was to "sculpt a book into something representing its contents". The example was a copy of Charlotte's Web made into the barn scene with the pages.
However, I have tonight to start and finish the project. Challenge number one is finding a book that my family won't mind me completely decimating for the purpose of ART.
Suggestions are welcome/encouraged! 
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#2 2012-06-07 20:45:29
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#3 2012-06-07 20:45:42
- Lucario621
- Community Moderator
- Registered: 2007-10-03
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Book Sculpture
Hmm... maybe a broom carved into one of the Harry Potter books (to represent the game of quidditch)?
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#4 2012-06-07 20:50:22
#5 2012-06-07 20:55:47
Re: Book Sculpture
I found a book and I even have an idea for what to do! (Thanks for the suggestions)
The book itself is a pretty generic compilation of love poems. The first step is gonna be cutting out a large portion of pages, so I'll be doing that for a bit.
this book is just quaking in its book-boots
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#7 2012-06-07 21:08:54
- soupoftomato
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-07-18
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Book Sculpture
Lucario621 wrote:
Hmm... maybe a broom carved into one of the Harry Potter books (to represent the game of quidditch)?
veggieman001 wrote:
1984 carved into a fist?
Why would you hurt the books . . 
I'm glad to think that the community will always be kind and helpful, the language will always be a fun and easy way to be introduced into programming, the motto will always be: Imagine, Program, Share - Nomolos
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#8 2012-06-07 21:10:31
- Andres-Vander
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-09-16
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Book Sculpture
soupoftomato wrote:
Lucario621 wrote:
Hmm... maybe a broom carved into one of the Harry Potter books (to represent the game of quidditch)?
veggieman001 wrote:
1984 carved into a fist?
Why would you hurt the books . .
Why wouldn't you??
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#9 2012-06-07 21:13:23
Re: Book Sculpture
At this point I'm going to pretend I'm done carving the book into a heart shape
I've encountered a new problem though. Part of the idea is to use a heart shaped paperweight as the center of the whole thing, but to have it covered in paper maché from the pages of the book. I tried putting the paper maché directly on the paperweight, but after it dried it was still pretty stuck on to the paperweight. I need a way to remove it from inside dried paper maché without damaging the shape of the paper too much.
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#10 2012-06-07 21:25:08
- cheddargirl
- Scratch Team
- Registered: 2008-09-15
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Book Sculpture
JudasR wrote:
At this point I'm going to pretend I'm done carving the book into a heart shape
http://i.imgur.com/Ih9wi.jpg
I've encountered a new problem though. Part of the idea is to use a heart shaped paperweight as the center of the whole thing, but to have it covered in paper maché from the pages of the book. I tried putting the paper maché directly on the paperweight, but after it dried it was still pretty stuck on to the paperweight. I need a way to remove it from inside dried paper maché without damaging the shape of the paper too much.
Maybe pry it out with something flat and bendable, like a cheap plastic knife?
Everything is better when you add a little cheddar, because when you have cheese your life is at ease
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#11 2012-06-07 21:26:45
Re: Book Sculpture
In the meantime I've been paper maché-ing some pages on the book to leave in front of the space heater to dry:
cheddargirl wrote:
Maybe pry it out with something flat and bendable, like a cheap plastic knife?
I tried doing this with the exacto knife but to no avail 
Last edited by JudasR (2012-06-07 21:28:36)
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#12 2012-06-07 21:38:01
Re: Book Sculpture
I figured it out!
The answer was BALLOONS.
Just like the dopey paper maché pinatas by sticking it directly to the balloon, I can remove the rock without deforming it too much.
Or, at least I hope I can because I already covered it in paper.
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#14 2012-06-07 22:26:29
- cheddargirl
- Scratch Team
- Registered: 2008-09-15
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Book Sculpture
JudasR wrote:
It worked
I was able to remove the paperweight with one cut along the top. Here's a picture of the book and the heart together, but I'm not quite done...
http://i.imgur.com/KAcEn.jpg
Does anyone know any good red dyes from household items?
First thing that comes to mind is a natural red-colored juice. It might weaken the paper, though.
Everything is better when you add a little cheddar, because when you have cheese your life is at ease
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#15 2012-06-07 22:36:36
Re: Book Sculpture
After a few tests and a small break, I settled on a mixture of boiled-down POM and a strange red goo.
The obvious next step is "apply liberally".
It does a great job of dying the pages without obscuring the words.
Initially I didn't want to use any on the heart but there want enough on the book itself so i added a small detail of it.
And it's done! I added a small amount more red since this picture, but for now I'll work on the other final projects I've been putting off.
Thanks everyone!
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#16 2012-06-08 00:06:14
#19 2012-06-08 10:27:11
- veggieman001
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2010-02-20
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Book Sculpture
jukyter wrote:
That looks really cool! I'm not sure I'd be allowed to use books and destroy them-that was a risky homework from your teacher.
Well, one could go out and buy a book.
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#20 2012-06-08 10:28:51
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