Today I tested applying the TP/PVA layer onto my Sculptamold test swatch. In this test I wanted to observe two things:
1. How well will the TP reduce the roughness of the Sculptamold?
2. How well will I be able to tamp down the edges where the TP layers meet?
As for point 1: It does greatly reduce the roughness. The formula that I am following calls for 4 layers of paper. I decided to make it 5 layers because of how thin my paper is. Maybe, I need to add more. I will probably test that on the other side of the swatch. I'd like to see just how far I can go with it and to what outcome.
As it is right now... I think that I can live with it. Adding paint and clear will smooth things even more. I will try adding another dose of thinned PVA too. I will wait for todays work to dry before I do.
As for point 2: This issue is something that I was greatly disappointed with on my last go. You may recall that in that process I tried not to flatten the paper down. The reason was that I was able to get more interesting patterns by randomly soaking the layers, and, to let the paper do its own thing. I did not have a wave layer beneath the paper as I am doing now. The problem I had encountered is raised joins at each paper connection. THAT--was a problem. It was very visible. Using acrylic gel I tried to blend things, with only moderate success. I was not able to completely get rid of them. This was a lesson learned.
So--from what I observed today, I don't think that I will have this problem again. Though I have not actually tested butting the paper together--I observed the edges disappear when tamped down. I'll make sure of this when I do the other side. I didn't do it today because I wanted to give you a visual of before and after.
Lastly--a strong tempest blew in recently causing the seascape to veer off into another direction. The storm was of such magnitude that it was assigned its own name. That name is none other than, Maxie.
Oh yes, Max. This boondoggle is on you. LOL. You are gonna get your squid. Or at least, that is the plan until something stops me. Not only will this be a fun thing to do--but--it solves a problem regarding the bow light. It was really bugging me that I had to settle on burying the light underneath the wave layer.
What I hope to do is this. The menacing squid will wrap one of its tentacles around the hull, and by its sheer weight... pulls the stern down, and the bow goes up. This will raise the bow light above the waterline. It will be a challenge to make it look believable.
Boondoggle# 2 is about be served! I hope you all like squid. I don't have a taste for it. LOL. 