Page 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Introduction
Infants
LifeMask™ 1 2
FastMask™ 1 2
Non-Human
Arts & Crafts
Large Work 1 2
Miscellany

Chapter 5: Advanced Techniques
Precision Lifecasting & Other Approaches

The Torso Tank:
Erotic life cast tankThese are my favorite for large projects. They use alot of material but the results are so slick if done properly that its worth it. And the matrix can be used again and again. Steel, fiberglass, plastic or paperboard drums are easily found and inexpensive (look under "drums" or "barrels" in the yellow pages).
Precaution: If you buy used drums make sure you know what the contents were and clean them out thoroughly before use. There's alot of very toxic stuff out there - most shipped in drums.
Buoyancy is another attribute of viscosity (LifeCast™ Basics). The thicker the liquid, the more a human body will tend to float in it. For women with large breasts, this can be used to offset the effects of gravity and create a more flattering LifeCast™. Also, if you mix in batches, the Earthium™ can be allowed to partially set up in lower areas to give support to subsequent pours in higher ones.
The torso tank moves the burden of supporting the mediums from your model's body to the matrix, where it belongs. Make sure your set up works by testing it with just water first! Water is very heavy. If your matrix collapses in mid-project someone could get hurt (not to mention the waste of materials and effort). I have attached spigots to the bottom of barrels to allow easy draining of the test and measurement water.
The leg holes must closely fit the contour of the leg or the plastic bags and rubber bands will not be able to restrain the liquid. You can also pad the edges with foam rubber for a closer fit and model comfort.
Use plenty of hook & loop or other materials, firmly attached to prevent "Slip & Slid". It will also ensure the mold stays connected to the matrix when its opened to get the model out. There's nothing worse than for everything to work perfectly only to have the mold fall apart at the release. The photo shows a nice finished example of a Torso Tank LifeCast™.

Torso Tank Displacement:
One final note about displacement. Anything you can do to minimize material is time well spent. You will need 2-3 inches, (even less in some areas) of mold material around the model's body.
While the model is in the empty matrix, look for areas around the waist, the small of the back, etc. where there is more than 2 to 3 inches of empty space.
Shape and firmly attach foam rubber or Styrofoam to the matrix in those areas. Make sure these space fillers don't overlap the seams of the split path or the hinge or you will not be able to open it up like a clamshell to get the model out and pour or spread the final lifecast sculpture material.
Done carefully these will require from 20 to 50 pounds of Earthium(f/x)™ depending on your set up.
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.
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