Wall Hanging Rock Base for Mt. Goat

[Justin P.]

Here is a quick set of pics illustrating the construction of a large wall habitat.  This is basic chicken wire, burlap, plaster construction.  Foam was added in a couple key areas to add strength.  Otherwise it's hollow.  Keeping the weight down is the key.

Basic lay out.  16" studs on center


Change of plans...   Hanges set into routered spaces.

2X10's added for strength.  Glued and screwed.
Note: Rough profile sketch should have been done on opposite side to accomadate the direction of the goat but forgot.  No big deal.

This is the "wall".  It's set up on my mucho mando stand.  Studs marked.

The meat and potatoes.  Platform built to hold the goat.  Rock profile tweaked.


Goat in position.  Everything checks out!  Nothing falls to the ground.

And GO!  First rock wired in.

The piece of wood under the rock is only tacked in temporarily until the plaster "sets".




The "wall" turned upside down to attack the bottom of the rocks.



Goat removed, rock mix added (thanks Matt for that recipe) and first wash of tempura paint applied.


The color will be tweaked.  The rocks are still very wet.  Moss, lichen etc can be added.
Hope this helps someone.  Enjoy.

[Brent W]

Very nice work. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[born2shoot]

did you just use burlap and plaster paris or paper mache mix

[Justin P.]

Cut your burlap into workable sizes.  Soak them in water.  Mix plaster or plaster wall patch.  Plaster wall patch has a much longer working time.   Ring out a piece of your wet burlap.  Then dip it into the plaster.  Work the plaster into the fibers then apply over the chicken wire.  The burlap gives the plaster it's body.  No nead for mache.

[Cygnet]

How did you get the great texture on the rocks?

[Matt]

You are welcome Justin, and you did a great job! Thank you for sharing.

[Justin P.]

Thanks Matt.
Just a light application of rock mix was used to cover the rocks.  You don't need to cover every square inch.  I used plaster wall patch instead of plaster with the rock mix.  That gave me more working time with the batches I made.  I only used 2.5 gallons of DRY (before mixing with water) mix to cover the rocks.

[buglenfool]

Hey Matt do you share that recipe with others?

[saddlehorse_98]

I'm with you the rock mix is the key to this whole project. exceptional rocks!! best I have seen with that type materials. please post rock mix for use beginers. thanks

[michael p.]

Very nice

[Kastaway]

Very professional project as well as the presentation.