How to Create Mesh & Concrete Sculptures

Use a saw to create a base for the sculpture from plywood in the desired shape.

Build an armature out of a series of wooden boards attached to the plywood base, creating a structure that loosely captures the essence the overall desired form of the finished sculpture. Saw boards to size as needed, and use screws to attach the boards to the base and each other.

Shape wire mesh by hand around the wooden armature, forming the desired exterior shape of the sculpture. Staple the wire mesh form to the plywood base and at several points to the wooden armature. Cut wire mesh to fit, as needed, with wire cutters. Connect ends of wire mesh together by twisting the wire ends together.

Spray the outside of the wire mesh form with spray-on insulating foam. Once dry, sand, cut down and carve the foam to further refine sculptural form, using instruments such as a hot wire cutter, a sharp knife, a fine-blade hacksaw, a surform (surface-forming) tool or a file.

Mix in just enough extra water with wet concrete to make a slightly runny mix. Cover the foam with overlapping strips of burlap dipped in the concrete. Cover the burlap layer with an approximately 3/4-inch layer of concrete with a thicker consistency, applying the concrete with a trowel.

Wrap the piece loosely in plastic sheeting to hold in moisture. Leave the plastic for three days while the concrete cures, periodically misting the concrete with water.

Paint the concrete sculpture with concrete sealer once it has fully cured.