Plaster Textured Ski Art

Aesthetic

I used wall plaster for my upcycling project to create an interactive and visually engaging art piece. The aesthetic I aimed for was a combination of modern, minimalist, and dynamic elements. By sculpting the plaster, I could mimic the natural flow of ski tracks on untouched snow, creating an illusion of movement that adds depth and realism. The smooth yet textured surface enhances the sense of a freshly carved mountainside, inviting the viewer to engage with the piece.

The contrast between the small, colorful skiers and the monochromatic white backdrop draws the eye across the scene, emphasizing movement while maintaining a clean, minimalist approach. The overall simplicity guides the focus on the interaction between texture and form rather than excessive detail. The three-dimensional sculptural elements integrated with painted details create a unique blend of abstraction and realism. The piece feels structured and organic, mimicking the unpredictability of nature while adhering to an artistic vision and aesthetic.

I selected my upcycled materials, utilizing Plaster of Paris, which I already had at home, as well as acrylic paints and a repurposed canvas. Using plaster as both a sculptural and textural medium, I enjoyed a new way of conveying landscape dynamics, highlighting how the simplicity of a material like wall plaster can mimic and emulate the texture of snow.

[1] 4lb Box of Plaster from Home Depot

 

Inspiration

[2] [3]

These two examples were the main inspiration for my sculpture’s appearance. I was particularly drawn to how trees are used to frame the “slopes” of the mountain while also adding depth and perspective to the painting. The natural placement of trees creates a sense of realism, making the artwork feel more immersive as if the skiers are truly navigating through a winter landscape. I also followed the color scheme often seen in ski-related artwork, where vibrant colors are used for the skiers’ clothing and equipment to contrast against the stark white snow, enhancing visual interest and movement. Beyond specific artworks, my inspiration stemmed from real-world skiing experiences and how mountains naturally form trails through untouched snow. Ski resorts and aerial photography of ski slopes shaped my artistic choices, particularly in how the trails form organic, flowing paths down a mountain. I wanted to capture that fluidity, using texture and subtle variations in the plaster’s form to simulate the movement of both skiers and the terrain itself.

Additionally, minimalist and modern art movements influenced my approach, particularly in my decision to keep the composition uncluttered. Less is more in this aesthetic, encouraging viewers to focus on individual elements and appreciate the balance between open space and fine details. By blending these inspirations—natural landscapes, ski culture, and minimalist design—I aimed to create a contemporary piece that engages with the viewer.

Step 1: Plaster

So, I mixed the plaster with some water and applied it to the canvas. Two significant problems with this: the plaster started to dry and harden in a minute or two, so I couldn’t sculpt it much after I initially applied it to the canvas. The second issue was that plaster doesn’t bond well with canvas, so I had to handle it until it was set to prevent it from chipping or coming off in one big sheet. I solved this by gluing the edges down, and that seemed to help, but until it was completely set, I had to be careful. Even though the plaster hardened relatively fast, it worked out in a way I liked because it allowed me to add layers. Initially, I just tried to cover the entire canvas in a smooth layer, and then as I said more and more plaster, I could “carve” the shave of the slope, and since I was applying it in different areas at different times, it made it more uneven which I liked. Even though I hadn’t sketched anything yet, you can see how I wanted the slope to funnel into the center of the canvas with the tree line on the corners guiding it as a channel. The corners are smoother than the rest of the slope, giving the trees a flatter texture.

Step 2: Treeline

This is where I painted on the tree line. Some examples of this type of art didn’t include trees, but I wanted to add trees because they enhance the artwork by adding depth, contrast, and a sense of realism to the scene. Their dark, detailed forms break up the smooth, flowing texture of the plaster, creating a dynamic interplay between organic and sculptural elements. The trees provide visual balance while contributing to the illusion of depth, making the skiers appear to be weaving through a real mountain landscape rather than just a textured surface. This combination of texture, movement, and detail results in a blend of abstraction and realism. I tried to make the trunks thin to create an outline, but some showed through more than I’d liked. I used a blend of lighter and darker green to give it more abstract realism, with white on top to give it a snow-covered look. I even tried to add an even darker to frame the tops of the trees so you can see their shape so it doesn’t look like one blob, but I’m unsure if it’s noticeable. After it has dried, I’d like to add more snow; it’s too green.

Step 3: Skiers

Finally, I added the skiers on top. I didn’t want to add too many skiers because, in my aesthetic, less is more. It requires the viewer to look closer and pay attention to each detail rather than stepping back and seeing clutter, creating a bigger picture. The skiers’ more vibrant colors and equipment contrast the monochrome snow, drawing the eye naturally across the piece. I also carefully positioned each skier to match the texture and flow of the plaster, making them feel as though they were genuinely interacting with the terrain rather than being placed on top. Some are meant to go off jumps, while others follow the natural curves of the slopes, enhancing the sense of movement and realism. To further refine the piece, I might add subtle shadows to ground each figure within the landscape, giving them more depth and dimensionality. As the plaster wasn’t fully set when I started painting, it had a grey hue, which I wanted to enhance by painting white on top, improving the depth of the plaster and showing off its flow and movement.

Final Product:

Once the plaster thoroughly dried, it turned completely white, which defeated the purpose of painting a little white over the top to show off the texture. However, once it became white, the texture became more visible as it was. It also made some of the skiers blend in a little more, which I’d like to go back and maybe highlight a little more so they’re more distinct. Overall, I’m pleased with how this turned out. I think I achieved my aesthetic of creating a textured art piece that utilizes the texture and look of one material to mimic and emulate the texture and look of another and combine the abstract look of the painting with the realism of the plaster and the natural look of the landscape.

If I were to do it again, I think I would use drywall instead of canvas so it stuck more; I would make the plaster solution with more water. Hence, I had more time to work with it, and I would mix a larger initial batch so I could sculpt most, if not all, of the landscape in one attempt and carve some depth into the “snow.” I would’ve also liked to play with the tree placement a little more, maybe have them go up the side of the canvas instead of just at the bottom, but I wanted to keep it minimal where most of the focus is on the “snow” and the skiers. I was also nervous about messing up the layering where you had a floating tree on the side.

The final piece successfully fulfills its functional goal as an aesthetically pleasing wall art piece, bringing texture, movement, and depth to the composition. It captures the essence of a snowy ski slope while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic that encourages close observation. I achieved my artistic goals, balancing simplicity and dynamic movement, with the skiers appearing naturally integrated into the textured landscape. The contrast between the monochrome snow and the vibrant skiers enhances visual interest without overwhelming the piece. To further refine the artwork, adding subtle shadows or slight depth to the skiers could enhance realism, making them feel even more embedded within the terrain rather than resting on top. The only thing I don’t think I achieved compared to my inspiration was the depth of some of the curves; my texture felt more embedded in the plaster, whereas the example artwork from crest and ridges. Mine almost feels more realistic, but to see a more exaggerated carve would’ve been cool.

DAP. (n.d.). Plaster of Paris, 4 lbs. White Dry Mix (10318). The Home Depot. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Plaster-of-Paris-4-lbs-White-Dry-Mix-10318/100126904

Etsy. (n.d.). Original skiing art 3D original framed. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.etsy.com/listing/1610755574/original-skiing-art-3d-original-framed

Etsy. (n.d.). Original framed 3D skiing sports art. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.etsy.com/listing/1561232046/original-framed-3d-skiing-sport-art