How to create a sand sculpture by Karen Ellis

[M.T. Al-Mansouri, Ph.D.]

Sand sculptures have gone way beyond using a child's plastic bucket to form castles on a family beach outing. There are companies, Team Sandtastic, Sandemons, Sanding Ovations and more, who create unbelievable sand sculptures for shopping centers, conventions, fairs, festivals, theme parks and more. They can be ordered in table top size all the way to sizes that take thousands of tons of sand. Some even build snow sculptures at your location. They offer clinics and corporate team building events, even contests. Sand sculptures built by professionals are quite intricate and the process can be somewhat complicated. An indoor sculpture can be on display indefinitely. They even have something called "wind spray" that will preserve the sand sculpture to last even longer. There are special tools, classes and books to learn how to build proper sand sculptures. If you're interested in perusing this line of artistic venue, starting at the beginning, as in all new endeavors, is the best place to jump in. Tools Before you search online for the best sand sculpture tools you can find, look through your kitchen drawers for spatulas, spoons, butter knives and any interesting shapes you can find. Other tool ideas to consider: * Long handled shovel * 2 large buckets * Smaller, different sized buckets or containers * Masonry trowel * Chisels * Apple corer * Popsicle sticks * Pastry and paint brushes * Ice cream scoops/melon ballers * Spray bottle for water * Old trash can to use for a form (cut out the bottom) * Straws, to blow sand away from details. Sand Certainly a sand sculpture may be built right in the backyard sandbox. But if you are going to the beach consider choosing a location above a high tide area. You want to be close enough to the water to trek your buckets back and forth, but not so close that the tide moves in on your sculpture, wiping it out. Test the sand by making a wet ball. If it keeps it's shape, you are in luck. If the sand breaks up easily, move on and find some better sand. Sculpture Foundation Start by digging down until you reach wet sand. This is not your building site, but the wet sand is needed to make your foundation. It's a good idea to test the sand again by compressing it into a ball in order to see if it holds it's shape. Remove the sand from your dug out area to your sculpting. Pile the sand to make a large mound. Compress the foundation, flatten and even it. Forming the Sculpture Use the hole you dug to add dry sand mixed with water from the sea to form the sculpture. Use a bottomless bucket or trashcan as a mold, tamp it (pack it in tightly). You may need to add water as you tamp in the sand if your mixed sand has dried. The form might have to be cut away from the sand if it does not loosen easily. Repeat this process with smaller molds atop the larger one. Or, if you want a larger sculpture create several of the trash can sand bases. Another form is to make sand patties, formed like pancakes, with your hands and stack them one on another. Just remember to use as much water as possible, it is key to holding your sand in place. Sculpting When the basic structure is completed it's time to start sculpting. Begin at the top and from the inside out in order to keep your structure intact. Work moving around the work, taking sand from all sides. Travel around several times to complete your piece. Try the different tools you brought with you to see what works best. Remember, you can always add more structured molds as you go, if desired. Only the artist knows when a piece is completed. Don't be surprised by the attention you may get from beachcombers as they saunter by. Special Tips * The sand must be very, very wet. * Tamp the sand tightly for a good hold * Carve from the top and inside to the outer side * Be patient, removing small amounts of sand as you go around * Form your initial sand structure higher and wider than you will need. * Remove sand to form a larger mass of your final sculpture then work on details * Use a drinking straw to blow away sand while working on fine details.