 This requires skill by both the artist and the model. You must work fast and it should not be attempted by beginners.
Beards must be lubricated to lay flat. Faster, simpler LifeMask™ can be done with our Earthium™: Advanced LifeCast™ Compound.
- LifeMask™ PROJECT MATERIALS AND TOOLS REQUIRED:
- •, 5 Cups (15 Oz) ArtFORM™
- •, 7 Cups (56 Oz) ArtCAST™
- •, 61/4 Cups (50 Oz) Cold (50 degrees) Water
- •, 2 Large Mixing Bowls
- •, A Swim Cap
- •, A Wire Whisk
- •, Paper Towels
- •, Measuring Cup
Go here to see some examples of famous personality portraiture.
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- LifeMask™ Steps:
- Since LifeCasting™ duplicates any expression, the model should experiment in a mirror before beginning. ArtFORM™ is safe to enter the mouth but, should not be swallowed in large amounts.
Have model lay down and plug one nostril with a piece of paper towel. Insert the straw in the other nostril to breath through.
Do a practice 'dry run' pretending to do all the steps below so that both of you know what to expect Dry your tools after each step.
- 1. Place 4 cups cold water into one bowl and 1 cup cold water into the other bowl. Dry the cup.
- 2. Measure 1 level cup (8 oz.) of ArtCAST™ and mix it into the bowl with 1 cup of water to pre-soak while you make the mold.
- 3. While stirring with the wire whisk, add the ArtFORM™ into the bowl with 4 cups of water. Stir vigorously into a thick paste until lumps are gone but no more than 1!/2 minutes.
- •, While you are mixing the model should moisten their face with a wet paper towel.
- 4. Quickly smear a thin coating all over the face, covering the skin detail from the hairline, around the front edge of ears and below the chin. Continue to apply the paste all over, trying to make a relatively consistent thickness. It will begin to set as you work it, making an uneven surface. You want a rough surface for the ArtCAST™ shell to grip. Clean off whisk.
- 5. Mix 2 more cups of ArtCAST™ into the other bowl for 2 minutes.
- 6. Quickly spread this all over the firm ArtFORM™, working it into the rough details. Continue to apply more cement again, trying to make a consistent thickness. Be sure to make the outside edges thick enough to support the sides of the mold. It can also be reinforced with strips of burlap if desired. This" shell" (see 'Shelled Relief' above) will harden in about 5-10 minutes. Clean up the work area, your bowls, hands and tools. Talk to the model reassuringly.
- 7. Have the model sit up as you support the shell with your hands. Model should gently wiggle face muscles and blow air from their mouth to release the suction. Remove the mold in a downward angle so the straw can slide out of the nostril.
- 8. Add 1 1/2 more cups of water to the remaining cement. Soak for 2 minutes. Then mix for 2 more minutes and pour into the mold.
- 9. Gently rub the cement into all the skin details. As it sets, rotate the mold, building up thicker walls. Spread the cement up the sides to an even thickness. See 'Slush Casting' in Section 5 above
- 10. Let your sculpture harden for about an hour before unveiling. If you are very careful you can 'pull' 2 maybe even 3 copies from this mold. Follow the Finishing Tips in Section 4 above.
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