What will give me a smooth surface on my sculpture.?

[Ben F]

Hi, I'm currently working on a sculpture for my art class. It's a mask and I casted my face with Plaster Bandage and made extrusions with Pascaline and plaster bandaged over them. The mask is getting fairly heavy now. I don't want it to be too heavy.

In the past I've used drywall compound on the mask to smooth it out, but it comes with little chips and holes in it when it dries and I can't sand them out for some reason.

Plus, drywall compound will make the mask even heavier. I don't want this.

My teacher suggested this "latex" compound stuff that is usually used for fixing handles of tools etc. He said he used to get it in red at Canadian Tire, and it dries fairly quickly.

What is this stuff called and will it work? If not, what sort of suggestions might you have.

(Note I cannot sand the mask as is, because the bandage will get "hairy")

I will be painting on this surface as well.

Thank you.

[tigris]

I personally don't really like to use it because I hate the smell, but it's lightweight, easy to use and can be sanded: bondo. You'll get it in any store which has supplies for cars. It's a car body filler, meant to fill out small rust holes or dents in your car.

Only use in an area with good ventilation, preferably outdoors, use gloves and you will be fine. It does come in different colors too.