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Plasters
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Chocolate & Ice

Chapter 4: Sculpture & Casting Media
An overview of contemporary choices.

Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most fun mediums to use in LifeCasting™. The key to success with casting edible sculptures is to begin with good quality chocolate, one with a high proportion of cocoa butter. These never get extremely liquid more like a thick pancake batter, so don't make your design too complex. Pay extra attention to avoid the possibility of air traps.
•, Make the LifeCast™ mold with a low water to powder to water ratio, no more than 2 : 1 with the ArtFORM™ (less if possible). Earthium™ (f/x) ratios can go up to a 3 : 1 (H2O : A) ratio as long as the Part B is kept fairly low.
•, After the release of the object from the mold, put the mold in the freezer as you prepare the chocolate. You don't want it to freeze, just get very cold for about 10 minutes.
•, Melt the chocolate by cutting it into small pieces and heating it gradually in a double boiler. Do not use direct heat in a pan, it must be done gently or the ingredients begin to separate. A microwave may be used as long as you stir the chocolate frequently as it heats.
•, When as liquid as possible get the mold from the freezer and pour in the chocolate. It will be too thick to tap out the bubbles but surface ones can be minimized by turning the mold and letting the chocolate coat the inside evenly, then fill the remainder.
•, Put the chocolate filled mold back in the freezer to harden. The chocolate will harden from the outside in. If you want a hollow cast, to fill with jelly for example, wait long enough for the thickness you want and pour out the center, then return it to the freezer. In a few minutes fill it with jelly then seal off the top with more chocolate. (Fingers made this way are fun, gruesome Halloween treats if filled with a red jelly to simulate blood when they are bitten into).Dark or brown chocolates will sometimes have white areas where the coloring has separated from the surface. This can be touched up if necessary with food coloring or confectioners glazes. White chocolate will have no such discolorations and will generally make better LifeCasts™. For a marbled effect you can mix white and dark chocolate.
Chocolate will melt in your hands and this can be prevented by painting on a coat of confectioners glaze. Bon appetite!

Ice Sculpture:
Ice Sculptures are made by mixing a small amount of alcohol into the mold. Any type of alcohol with no sugar or other flavorings will work, isopropyl, even vodka! The goal is to raise the freezing temperature of the mold, which alcohol does. The mold is filled with water and put in the freezer.
The water of course will freeze solid but, the mold will not be quite as hard, making it removable. Relief and two part molds of course, don't have to be destroyed to unveil the ice casting, making clever drink coolers.
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.
NOT FOR USE BY CHILDREN: These arts & crafts materials may be used with children of any age but should never be used by an unsupervised child. A "child" is defined by law as anyone under the age of 18 years. Our art, lifecast or sculpture product prohibitions against unsupervised use by children therefore applies to all persons under that age. "Supervised" by definition means at all times, through each step of any use of our life cast or other art materials. Such supervision must be by an adult over the age of 18 years while using the BODY PARTS™ LifeCast™ kits or other life cast, sculpture and art materials.
Our life cast, sculpture and other art materials should never be used by anyone who cannot read, understand and apply the language in which the lifecast, sculpture or art materials' instructions appear. The terms of said language are exclusively defined in any standard, widely accepted and comprehensive dictionary of that language and are meant to be construed in no other manner.
Purchase and/or use of our life cast, sculpture or other art materials implies your understanding and acceptance of these reasonable terms. If you do not agree, for any reason, please do not purchase or use our lifecast, sculpture, mold making or other arts & crafts products.
The information contained in this document is given in good faith based on our current knowledge. It is only an indication and is in no way binding, particularly as regards infringement d or prejudice to third party rights through the use of our products. MSW GUARANTEES THAT ITS PRODUCTS COMPLY WITH ITS SALES SPECIFICATIONS. This information must on no account be used as a substitute for necessary prior tests which alone can ensure that a product is suitable for a given use. Users are responsible for ensuing compliance with local legislations and for obtaining the necessary certifications and authorizations. Users are requested to check that they are in possession of the latest version of this document.
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