How To Make a Butter Sculpture
- February 27, 2009
- 8,024 Views
Writer
chatel8
Voice Over Artist
Liv Rooth
Don’t laugh—butter sculpture is a true art form that originated in Tibet in the 7th century. It is now one of the highlights of many American harvest fairs.
You Will Need
- Butter
- A cool room
- Ice water
- Materials for the framework
- Sculpting tools
- Food coloring
Step 1: Find a cool room
Find a cool room in which to work so your butter doesn’t melt as you sculpt.
Today, Tibetan monks create their works of art in rooms kept at 32° F.
Step 2: Pick a subject
Pick a subject. Let your mind run wild. Butter sculptors have created everything from The Last Supper to Elvis Presley.
Step 3: Soak the butter
Soak the butter in very cold water in order to remove impurities and give the butter an extra- smooth texture. The amount of butter you soak depends on how large you’d like your sculpture to be.
Step 4: Build the frame
Build a frame to hold your base in place. Traditionally, bamboo sticks were fashioned into the framework, but you can use wood and/or metal.
Step 5: Dip hands in ice
Before you start sculpting, dip your hands in ice water. Your hands must be kept practically numb, or your body heat will melt your creation.
Step 6: Knead the butter
Knead the butter into a paste that’s free of air bubbles.
Add food coloring to the paste, or parts of the paste, if you like.
Step 7: Butter the base
Load the butter onto the base, and begin shaping it with your hands.
Step 8: Fine-tune your design
Fine-tune your design with tallow tools. Use modeling tools for smoothing and contouring large surfaces, and sculpting tools for intricate detail.
Many household items, like shoe horns and manicure instruments, can be turned into sculpting tools, so use your imagination.
Step 9: Keep it cool
Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, store it somewhere it won’t melt before the big reveal.
In December 2004, a 1,000-lb. butter sculpture of an ice skating cow was unveiled in Manhattan as part of an American dairy campaign to boost baking during the holidays.
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Comments (15)
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. WOW!
over 2 years ago by HeatherMenicucci
Lovely editing and camera work - kudos.
over 2 years ago by DimitriL
Amazing.
over 2 years ago by MKF
This video is really grt!! See a wide collection of videos in www.uploaded.tv
over 2 years ago by Ravi_Ranjan
VERY cool, Kevin!
over 2 years ago by theprohouse
great vid, nice editing, and I think the background song really matches the vid
about 1 year ago by blahwah
Love the cuts, it's trippy at first but you get used to it and it really adds to the video. Great job!
over 2 years ago by 88al88
This video is smoother than butta...sorry I had too...good job.
over 2 years ago by clayton
Holy cow. This is sweet.
over 2 years ago by fembot3000
great video Kevin, you got talent!
over 2 years ago by silence
Totally amazing!
over 2 years ago by BCipolla
Its great to learn this art. You can also watch such video on uploaded.tv and get some rear knowledge.
over 2 years ago by Sagorika_Mukherjee
i can never do even a simple slupture of butter:/
but this man i great!!!
5 months ago by Kashish_Khan
ghcfhsgcjbgfcsdfgsdyfgsdjgfsydgfshgsadfdfygdfghhghdfhfhgd mmmm, okayy beside that nice vid !!!!!
over 2 years ago by pigeonshooter911
muito interessante,mas voce tem que ser um artista e ter tempo para isso é bom também para passar tempo e desenvolver suas habilidades,se voce esta sem nada para fazer faça isso
over 2 years ago by fcantanheda
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