Welcome to the fascinating art of lifecasting!
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These single packages of the ArtForm™ Molding Compound are a popular and economical way of expanding your skills in lifecasting. We urge beginners to use one of the BODY PARTS™ kits first to learn the basics for start to finish. These are not kits, only the molding powder is included.
For guidance in selecting a casting medium and other information beyond these general instructions click the LifeCast™ Library tab on the right side.
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- Parents/Teachers: LifeCast™ projects can teach many principles of nature which surround us every day. Sculpture, mold-making, anatomy, fluid behavior and fossilization, to name a few, can be demonstrated quickly and safely. There are so many ways to use the LifeCast™ mediums that the only limits are your imagination and understanding.
Artform™ may be used with children of any age but should never be used by an unsupervised child. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is available by clicking its right side tab.
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What Is Lifecasting?
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With our assortment of LifeCast™ products you can create finely detailed sculpture duplicates of the human body and many other 3 dimensional forms . The non-toxic materials are very safe when used as directed. However, since we cannot control their actual use we accept no responsibility for the effects of incorrect or experimental application.
With all professional art mediums, experience is the best teacher. It is occasionally more complex to describe a creative process than it is to just do it. However, for your own independent work it is important to understand how and why these mediums work the way they do.
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DEFINITION:
Life-Cast; (lif kast) n., [ME. < OE. lif, akin to ON. lif, life, G. leib, body] + [ME. casten < ON. kasta, to throw] 1. An artifact made by duplication of a living or non-living anatomy as opposed to a similar object made by craft (ie; carving, modeling, etc.). [a LifeCast™ is easy to make] 2. Refers to a 2-part technique where a negative impression (mold) is formed from a living model and then this form is filled (cast) with a positive media (cement, plastic, wax, plaster, chocolate, etc.) to create the finished object. –v. 1. The act of sculpting such an artifact [Lifecasting™ is fun!].
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ArtForm™ Package Contents:
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Printed Instructions: These instructions are designed as a thorough introduction to the art of LifeCasting™. General techniques are detailed in alphabetical categories within each section. They are then referenced as needed by section number and letter. The step-by-step projects build on these techniques as new approaches are introduced. Finally, the advanced applications assume the basics are understood and briefly describe more complex work.
BlendBag™: These are specifically made for Lifecasting. The markings are for liquid or powder volume measurement and may be used many times. Punctures can be repaired with clear mending tape.
Straw: Used to release the suction which forms between the ArtFORM™ and the original object or body part. Also can be used for a breathing tube when making LifeMask™.
- Hook & Loop: These self adhesive strips of material are cut into 1/2 to 1 inch (or longer) pieces and used for 2 purposes:
- 1. Attach them inside of your casting container (matrix) to grip onto the mold & prevent distortion (the hook or the loop side).
- 2. Attach them to the bottoms of the sculptures to prevent furniture scratches (the softer loop side).
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- ArtFORM™: The powder is non-toxic, non-allergenic and absorbs many times its weight in water to gradually thicken and 'set' into a highly detailed, flexible solid. When used to create a negative impression of something, a hand for example this resulting solid is called a 'mold'.
- CAUTION: Avoid Swallowing Powder Or Prolonged Inhaling Of The Dust.
- Packages Sizes By Item Number:
- #1150: 2 pounds ArtForm™ in 1 BlendBag™ with 6 inches each of hook & loop self adhesive strips. Other items shown.
- #1151: 6 pounds ArtForm™ / 2 BlendBag™ / 1 foot each of hook & loop self adhesive strips. Other items shown.
- #1152: 12 pounds ArtForm™ / 4 BlendBag™ / 2 feet each of hook & loop self adhesive strips. Other items shown.
- #1153: Bulk amounts from 18 pounds up to 96 pounds in 6 pound increments. Each increment comes with the items listed above for #1151
- Custom: Contact us via eMail for bulk, unpackaged quantities at significant savings or to arrange for specific formulations to meet your requirements.
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Additional Materials You Will Need:
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1) A LifeCast™ Matrix is any fairly rigid container which holds the liquid ArtFORM™ until it turns solid or 'sets'. It also supports the flexible mold so it does not distort. Sometimes called a 'mother mold'. Choosing a matrix is the first step. It determines water volume and the amount of powder.
Rounded shapes which closely fit your design use less material since there are no corners to fill. We can see just how much more by flipping the corners inside the circle as illustrated.
 It must also be easy to remove the mold. Metal cans or glass for example, are difficult to work with. Plastic or paper cups are made in every size & shape. Since they are smaller at the bottom than the top, the sculpture slides right out!
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 With a large or tall matrix, use something with 'tooth' for the mold to grip on the inside (or firmly adhere the enclosed hook & loop as shown) . This prevents the mold from sliding down, distoring the mold.
- 2) Clean Water for blending. "Hard" or otherwise contaminated water can affect the materials performance. Use distilled or bottled water if needed. The temperature of both the water and the powder alters working time and is one way of manipulating the medium.
- 3) Measuring Cup for volume ratios or a scale for weight ratios. For small projects volume measurements are generally accurate if the powder is fluffed up just before scooping. for larger projects weight should be used.
- 4) Wire Whisk for blending small amounts.
- 5) Various knives and/or sculpture tools appropriate for working with the casting media you choose
- 6) Newspapers or plastic sheets to spread over the work area.
- 7) A Watch or other device for timing your projects.
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The Basics of LifeCast™ Design:
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| After reading the above instructions select the topic you want from the list below. In each case a new window will open with its explanation, illustated where helpful. |
- Close each window by clicking its check mark
 to return here. Then select the next one. View them in sequence.
- •, For more detail browse the LifeCast™ Library.
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LifeCast™ Classroom & Group Examples:
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Additional LifeCast™ Techniques and Information:
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Instructions: #1150/51/52
