Skill with any art medium requires practice and experience. Our techniques minimize the chance of any major problems. The care given to the finishing touches can make your LifeCast™ a more unique and valuable work of contemporary sculpture.

Fully cured ArtCast™ cement is compatible with most art materials and it may be worked with hand or power tools.

•, For many additional Finishing ideas refer to the LifeCast™ Library.

LifeCast™ Touch Up And Repair:

Repair & Touch-up:

1. Small protruding bubbles can be removed with manicure tools, sandpaper, files, etc. The fine details of your LifeCast™ can be retouched with any pointed tool.

2. Holes from air bubbles and even some air traps can be patched with anything which sticks to gypsum cement, drywall repair compound for example. Follow these steps:

•, Wet the area with water and a paint brush. Apply the patch material to over-fill the hole so it forms a small bead. 'Paint' over the bead gently with water on paint brush to smooth into the surrounding area. Wait for it to harden and dry.

•, Retouch the skin textures with pins or other pointed tools.

3. Unlike plaster, the ArtCast™ will snap in clean, sharp edges which are easy to repair. Broken pieces are re-attached when dry with any of the 'super' glues with cyanoacrylate.

4. Air traps (incomplete areas) can be repaired in several ways:

•, The ArtForm™ negative is always complete! Air traps happen in the pouring stage. If you unveil carefully and save the mold, areas can be re-cast with more cement, shaped to fit and attached.

•, Wet the area and rough up the surface so new material has something to stick to. Build up area with putty or more ArtCast™. When dry, shape into the final form.

•, Re-create that area from the model with a new ArtForm™ mold.

5. Held objects may have a thin film on areas. It is easy to remove.

•, If its smooth and not held in every direction, it will slide out.

•, If the object is covered with cellophane, carefully remove the plastic first. This will make it a little looser in the grip.

•, If the composition is very complex, break the fingers (ouch!). When re-attached and painted the seam will be unnoticeable.

The Finish:

Once the form has been LifeCast™ and prepared for a finish, your choices become nearly infinite. Here are a few suggestions and how to use them on a LifeCast™.

1. Realistic: LifeCasts are the most detailed of any sculptural form. To enhance these characteristics:

•, First paint the sculpture in an flesh tone and let dry. Acrylic paints work very well for this.

•, Paint a contrasting tone over small portions and wipe it off before it dries. This brings out the amazing detail of a LifeCast™.

•, Always apply a clear, protective coating as the last step.

2. Classical: Plain, simple white can be very elegant. If you want to leave your's as-is, you should apply 1 or 2 coats of clear glossy or matte finish sealant. There many brands of brush or spray coatings and water-proofing liquids available.

•, Avoid coatings designed for use with wood. They turn yellow.

•, Avoid handling your sculpture before sealing.

3. Faux Finishes: Art, craft and statuary shops have hundreds of specialty mediums for creating illusions of other materials.

•, Marbleizing, 'granite-like' sprays, metallic powders, ceramic epoxies, etc. are applied with sponges, feathers and other unusual tools to enhance the illusions.

4. Electroplating: Coatings of bronze, silver or other metals can be deposited on the surface of a LifeCast™ for stunning effect. They are coated in a conductive graphite surface then dipped in acids and electrically charged.

•, This is a fairly technical process and should only be done by qualified professionals.

•, Many professional sculpture and finishing materials are quite dangerous. Beginners should never work with them without being very careful and informed.