Part 1 – Preparation of Ingredients
Rammed earth is a sustainable building technique, however, it can be used for so much more. With a little imagination, you can create for yourself not just an innovative and unique drawing tool, but also a whimsical and expressive piece of art.
Mix Earth and Water:
1. Combine earth and water to the desired consistency.
For information on the optimal ratios of sand, silt, and clay in your dirt, refer [here].
Alternatively, you can add 2 tbsp of cement per cup of dirt to enhance stability.
Gradually add water in small amounts until the desired consistency is achieved.
Prepare the PVC Pipes:
Slice open the pipes: Carefully cut a lengthwise slit in the PVC pipes. Then duck tape up back together.
Oil up the insides: Apply oil to the inside of the PVC pipes to ease removal later.
Prepare Charcoal:
1. Source Charcoal: Obtain charcoal from the beach, lake, or camping a
reas, or make your own (with caution).
2. Break Charcoal: Roughly break the charcoal into pieces approximately the size of a nickel or dime.
Part 2 – Ramming Time!
Creating a sturdy rammed earth drawing tool involves careful layering and compacting. Follow these steps to craft your rammed earth cylinders:
1. Load the PVC Pipe: Hold the PVC pipe vertically while adding the dirt and ramming.
2. Add Loose Dirt: Pour in approximately 3 inches of loose dirt. It will compact to about half the size.
3. Ram Lightly, Then Aggressively: Ram down the dirt lightly for the first few strokes to create an even layer, then use more force to compact it thoroughly.
4. Layer with Charcoal: Sprinkle a layer of charcoal evenly over the rammed dirt.
5. Continue Layering: Fill the rest of the pipe with additional layers of rammed earth.
6. Allow Drying: Let the structure dry for at least a week in a dry, warm area.
Part 3 – Using Your Rammed Earth Drawing Tool
Now that you have your charcoal and rammed earth cylinders, it's time to utilize them creatively. Here's how to extract and start using them for your artistic endeavours:
1. Extract the Cylinder: Remove the tape and use a dowel to gently push and extract the dried dirt cylinder from the PVC pipe.
2. Separate the Halves: The cylinder should separate into two halves where the layer of charcoal is. You should end up with pieces of charcoal embedded in each half.
3. Start Creating: Grab a sketchpad and begin your creative journey, making broad strokes with the unique tool you've crafted.
By following these steps, you'll be able to successfully prepare, create, and utilize your very own rammed earth tool for your artistic endeavours.
The Result
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