Merging Different Colours - BIOPLASTIC - PROCESS VIDEO

Material research is a challenging route to take being a textile designer. I often feel like a “black sheep” in my discipline. However, discovering something completely new every day is indescribably exhilarating.

All the materials in the world were discovered and defined by trial and error. From plastic to foam, from stainless steel to concrete. *
When working with new materials, there are not many rules or regulations. There is not yes or no. As I mentioned before, new materials require non-traditional processes. Moreover, mistakes usually lead towards discoveries.

Here I merged two colours in one mould using a squeegee. First, I squeegeed in the mixture that had blue pigment and let the material set into the grooves of the mould for a few minutes until I heated the base material, with green pigment added. Poured it on top.
It was a blind move since I had no idea if the different parts (coloured differently) of the material would merge since they were not the same temperature.

Yet the results were so pleasing; the result had a very defined “print” and nice texture. I am beyond than pleased.

Removing the bioplastic from the mould after 7 days of drying.

Next step - using deeper moulds for more textured and 3D-like effects and going bigger scale.

Note - you must work quite quickly. Shouldn’t let the first material poured in cool off completely (become jelly) because the materials may not merge.  

*In his book, Stuff Matters, material scientist Mark Miodownik, answers all the questions you have ever had about materials that surround us and shape the man-made world. This book will be an exhilarating read for anyone fascinated by materials.