Bas-relief images in the interior of the apartment

Relief is a special sculptural device, when the composition is created only partially in the form of a three-dimensional image on a plane. It is considered a separate subspecies of art. About where the relief was first applied, the data is not preserved. It developed unevenly in ancient Greece, India, Ancient Rome, Egypt and the countries of the Far East. One of the most famous exemplars of the relief, which has reached our days in a partially destroyed form, is the Pergamon altar of Zeus, now located on the museum island in Berlin.

general characteristics

The monument is a structure with a wide staircase and a colonnade, under which is located a long panoramic relief. It depicts individual groups of people, animals and giants who have come together in battle. The relief is classified into four types:

  • Bas-relief. Sculptures protrude less than half over a flat background.
  • High relief. Sculptures go far beyond the background and sometimes even partially separated from it.
  • Counter relief It is a negative, that is, the composition is not convex, but concave.
  • Ankrö, or coilaglyph. On the plane (most often the wall), only the contour of the image is cut out, that is, the composition is as concave as the counter-relief, but its depth is the same everywhere. This type is considered more primitive. Widespread only in ancient Egypt.


 

The bas-relief in the interior of simple houses was rarely used before. He could afford only very wealthy people who had at their disposal real palaces. More often a bas-relief decorated the exteriors of houses in the Gothic style and the interior of the cathedrals and churches. In modern interiors, decorating with such sculptural compositions has become available. You can even create a bas-relief yourself. On the features of such a sophisticated decor and how to make it yourself and let's talk further.

Pros and cons of a bas-relief

The bas-relief is made of wood, clay, alabaster, gypsum or stone. The latter method is very time consuming and requires a high level of skill from the sculptor, since any mistake cannot be corrected. Bas-reliefs are made of wood by carving, and clay is the most accessible material that is suitable even for beginners. Sculpting still engaged in school years. The bas-reliefs, unlike ordinary sculptures, make it possible to maintain a 1: 1 scale and at the same time save on materials. After all, clay, for example, for sculpting a person in full growth will require almost 60-70% less than creating a similar high-grade statue. Previously, any types of reliefs decorated the walls and ceilings and remained part of them, that is, the composition was static and could not be moved. Now you can make a small bas-relief on a special canvas-stand and move it around the apartment if necessary.


Volumetric compositions are always associated with classical styles. Indeed, such a decor would be appropriate to look in the same design, art nouveau, modern, baroque, rococo, ampire. But here we are talking about traditional sculptures, with soft lines and a lot of small, elaborate details. In the center of the composition, as a rule, appear people, deities, mythical creatures or complex ornaments. A minimalistic bas-relief will organically blend into the modern style:

  • City panorama;
  • A piece of wood;
  • Volumetric "turbulence" agitated liquid;
  • Imitation of the "old" layer of finish or brick under the crumbling plaster.

Three-dimensional images of shoals of fish, skates, algae, coral "fields" and fantastic panoramas of Triton possessions are suitable for the marine style. Of course, a beginner will not be able to make such compositions the first time without errors. You have to train for a long time and fill your hand. This is probably the main drawback of the bas-relief. It is impossible to create beautiful without time-consuming for learning the skill of the sculptor. The only exception will be abstract reliefs that are suitable for the eponymous style or minimalism. Unlike decorative painting, bas-reliefs do not need additional highlighting in color. The backlight will perfectly highlight every line. This type of decoration is popular for decorating arches, fireplaces, openings and accent walls. With it, you can correctly mask the surface irregularities, hide communication lines or distort the space in the room of irregular shape.


 

The bas-relief magnificently emphasizes the peculiarity of the ethnic style, regardless of which country the interior comes from.

Italian motifs emphasize the vines and decorative columns or three-dimensional landscape of false windows. Japanese flavor will complement the 3D branch of Sakura, dotted with numerous colors, and the Chinese - a dragon with a grinned face. The house with elements traditional for India harmoniously integrates themed elephants on the walls and decorative sculptures of many-armed Hindu deities.

Preparation for work

Bas-reliefs are made by hand. Of course, in the market of cheap decorative items you can buy ready-made stamping from plaster, but it will not add uniqueness to the design. Before you start working on your first full composition, you need to fill your hand. The most convenient way to work on clay, plaster or plaster. Plastic materials and to complete drying allow you to correct mistakes. As the canvas will be used plywood with a low frame made of wood. In rare cases, you can create a composition right on the wall. This option is only suitable for those sculptors who are firmly confident in their abilities. Right on the wall also create large-scale panoramas, which after manufacture on individual canvases will simply be inconvenient to hang. It is also necessary to make typical forms for repeating elements in order to reduce the laboriousness of the process.

For example, each berry of a grapevine is much easier to make in molds. These elements are often made of plaster, but alabaster is considered the optimal material. We'll talk about where to get molds a bit later. Instead of a stencil, ordinary food film will be used. First, it is placed on a hard surface and draws the contour of individual elements. Then the stencil will be applied to the composition and transfer the same outlines to a still soft and pliable base. And now let us proceed to a short, general master-class on creating a bas-relief for decorating the interior.

Creating a bas-relief with your own hands

To make a bas-relief, you first need to prepare the foundation. In its role they use "Marseilles wax" or simple plaster. Spatula mixture is applied to the wall or plywood canvas. First, level, and then give relief if necessary (sponge, foam rubber, crumpled bags or pieces of cloth).

The next step is to transfer the picture from the film stencil to the prepared canvas. The picture is applied to a section of a wall or plywood and the contour of the pattern is pressed into the still not completely frozen plaster. As a result, the primitive sketch is ready. Now you need to give it a volume. To do this, knead the mixture for modeling. Alabaster is optimal, because after complete solidification it is not inferior in strength to concrete. But the gypsum can crack, crumble and is afraid of water. Dry alabaster is mixed with water immediately before work until smooth. Then begin to give volume to the applied pattern. This is not done immediately in one fell swoop, but gradually, layer by layer. Deepening can be done by scraping a part of the base or by applying additional “extra” layers on nearby objects. In certain places, elements already prefabricated in molds are attached to the canvas. If necessary, if the mass dries quickly, and the work is progressing slowly, it should be moistened with water.

When forming parts, not only tools but also the sculptor’s fingers are used. After the work is completed, it is given time to dry. Then the composition is polished using sandpaper, removing excess layers or leveling roughness.

Wall mount

The problem of fixing the bas-relief to the base can be avoided if you sculpt it directly on the wall. In other cases, the composition is planted on liquid silicone or a special adhesive. If the relief was modular, then after fixing the joints carefully rubbed with putty. It is not recommended to decorate “flimsy” plasterboard walls with this decor. The base material must be reliable and strong. Also carefully mask the joints of the bas-relief and the wall.
It is important to know. By the way, modular composition convenient for beginners. In case of failure, any of the components of the relief can be replaced without harm to it.


   

Making molds for gypsum do it yourself

Forms or molds can be bought in stores, but their range is not as large as desired. In addition, a typical mold will no longer be a unique part of the bas-relief. To make a form yourself you first have to make a sample of the element. Technology is the same for all materials, but consider one of the most popular recipes. It will require:

  • Putty;
  • Water;
  • PVA glue.

As for the proportions, then 500 gr. putty take 1 tbsp. spoon of glue and 100 gr. water. The mass is kneaded with the gradual addition of liquid. The result should be a material similar in consistency with a stiff dough or hard clay. The proportions may vary depending on the composition of the filler. From the mass mold parts and elements. In the process you need to pay special attention to the flaws that will be transferred and mold. Moldings give time to harden. 12 hours will be enough. Then for the manufacture of mold take:

  • Set of screws;
  • Plywood pieces for box assembly;
  • Liquid silicone.

From plywood using self-tapping screws create a team box without top. A sample of the element is placed into it and filled with silicone. Then the composition is given time to harden. After that, the walls of the box are unscrewed so as not to damage the shape, and a specimen is caught from its depths. Silicone form is ready for reuse.

  

In gypsum products, voids in the form of bubbles are often found. They can modestly be inside the element or partially go outside, thereby violating the integrity of the surface and spoiling the appearance. They can additionally be masked with the solution from which the main part of the bas-relief will be made.

If gypsum is poured into molds, then to avoid sticking, the form is smeared with vegetable oil.

Useful tips

If the sculptor plans to create large details of the bas-relief, then for additional stability it is better to use wire. The frame will also simplify the process of modeling. Above the bas-relief can be covered with a layer of primer or water-based paint. Such coating will only give gloss to alabaster, but for more fragile plaster or sensitive gypsum it will become an additional protection. During work, it is better to use a professional set of stacks that will help create even the smallest details.

Pick a bas-relief not only for the style, but also for the character of the room. Culinary themes will suit the kitchen: voluminous still lifes, flower arrangements or panoramas of ancient cities. The bedroom will look organically stylish images of natural elements: bouquets, trees, animals. In the nursery, with the help of relief, you can create a real fairy tale, and its scenes decorate the entire perimeter of the room.

 

Professional decorators recommend not using false walls, arches or zoning furniture for small studios. For these purposes, bas-reliefs are perfect, which, in combination with color differentiation, will make it clear without further ado where the functional zones are divided.

Bas-reliefs are not so often used in design. It is much easier to paste the wall with wall murals with the desired image. Many are afraid of the complexity of the process. If you have patience, you can find hidden talents in yourself and decorate each room of the apartment with voluminous paintings, making its design original and unique. To be inspired, you can explore the magnificent sculptural designs that adorn the Moscow Bolshoi Theater or numerous houses in the streets of St. Petersburg.

Watch the video: Beautiful bas-relief pictures. (March 2024).

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