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Reliefs
Shelled
Split
Sandwich
Contour
"French"
Slush Casts

Chapter 3: Mold Construction
Traditional Mold Making Methods

This is a brief explanation of all the traditional methods that are useful to the life cast artist. This is a fine art and skilled craft and no attempt is made here to be exhaustive.
The sculpture student is urged to do additional study about these techniques through books, university classes or via our own LifeCast™ Studio classes. Of course, the best teacher is experience. Make something!

Simple Relief Molds

are the easiest type. They are used for objects that are not "in-the-round'. In Basic LifeCasting™ these are used for palm/foot prints, ears, noses, mouths, etc. where the body part is simply dipped into a shallow matrix filled with fluid ArtFORM™.
In more advanced work with the Earthium™ (f/x) relief molds can make more complex designs simple since the work & set times can be so precisely adjusted.
AA life cast mold 1

Shelled Reliefs

are used whenever you spread thick, paste type application to make the mold. The ArtFORM™ or Earthium™ are spread onto the object first. Then, as they set cotton is dabbed over the surface while still tacky. This leaves cotton fibers embedded in the mold surface.
Finally a layer of cement or plaster bandages is applied over the mold, binding to it because of the cotton fibers. The entire assembly is removed carefully and the LifeCast™ is poured or Slush Cast as described below.
These shells can be reused anytime you encounter a similar design, just take out the flexible and temporary inside mold.
 AA life cast mold 2

Split Molds

are made in the same ways as relief molds but, are usually deeper. One unique characteristic of LifeCasting™ is that we are working with objects that can move themselves out of the mold, minimizing the need for split molds except on very deep designs like entire arms or legs. They are however, usually required for feet which are split just behind the Achilles' tendon.
As the illustration shows you carefully cut the mold (through the matrix or separately) along one side. This allows you to get the object out. The split is carefully realigned (and put back into the matrix if split separately) to be filled with a Casting Medium.
Note: The razor blade is symbolic. In LifeCasting™ you would use something which will cut the mold but, not the model. With ArtFORM™ and Earthium™ molds a plastic or butter knife work very well without endangering the model.
 AA life cast mold 3
Copyright © 1987 through 2003 by MSWinn. Thank you for visiting www.lifecast.net!
ToP
1/18/03

LifeCast™ & MSW Creative Works Legal Information:

Contents of this web site (lifecast.net) and all life cast materials and other art and sculpture products or lifecast kit packaging, art techniques and sculpture instructions copyright © 1986-2002 by Mark S. Winn. All rights reserved. The terms BODY PARTS™, LifeCast™, ChildCast™, StudioPack™, ArtForm™, ArtCast™, Earthium™, Earthium(f/x)™, ShrinKast™, PolyART™, WaterTrap™, BlendBag™, Successful Creativity Guarantee™, LifeMask™, FastMask™ as well as the phrase "Make YourSelf Immortal!™" and any other art materials product or craft item denoted by a small 'TM' (such as in LifeCast™) are trademarks. The phrases life cast and life casting or the words lifecast and lifecasting are generic.
Our LifeCast™ products or other sculpture, mold making and art materials products are are entirely safe within the context of arts & crafts when used as directed. Other arts & crafts materials shown here each carry their own warnings and degrees of safety. They are available for use as creative mediums AT YOUR OWN RISK and since we cannot control the actual use of these art products, we disclaim any responsibility for damage or injury caused by incorrect or experimental life cast, sculpture, life mask, erotic art or other mold making or creative applications.
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