finishing techniques for your life cast sculpture
Ch1: Page 1 2

Chapter 1: Basic BODY PARTS™ Projects
Lifecasts which anyone can make - guaranteed!*

• Click any single artifact in the image
for its description.
• Click a tab at the top for all projects
of that difficulty level.
References to "kit" in this section are to
BODY PARTS: Original LifeCast™ Kit.
*Successful Creativity Guarantee™ applies only to the sculpture, not to any applied finishes.
Bracket life castReptile life castHeld crystal life castHeld box life castFoot lamp life castBronzed life castEar & Nose lifecastHeld hands life castTrinket life cast 2Hand vase life cast3 hands life castFlower life castBaseball life castTrinket life castTrinket life cast 3Hand shake life castFoot vase life cast3 Child life castBaby's foot lifecastApparagus life castLong nails life castExit life cast
These two children's hands are exactly like the basic project described in the LifeCast™ Kit Instructions. After unveiling and doing a little touch up we electroplated the sculpture with copper.
This is a fairly complex process that involved painting them with a coating that conducts electricity. Next they were submerged into a solution of acid which had the copper metal dissolved in it.
When an electrical current is passed through the sculpture it attracts the metal particles which adhere to the surface.
Finally they were polished to a rich, lustrous shine. We can do the same for your projects, in many different metals. Please refer to our Services section for more information.
Three children's hands are also a basic project so long as they can fit in an unmodified can. Since this displaced more water (See step 1B of the LifeCast™ Kit Instructions), less water than normal was mixed with the ArtFORM™ powder.
This could make it set too fast so we blended it for only 1.5 minutes instead of the full 2.
Children and sports are classic themes. The baseball was held by this boy throughout the entire LifeCast™ project from measuring the water (step 1B) through the release (step 1M). At the release the boy's hand was removed but, the object remained in the mold (Alternative & Advanced Techniques). That way the casting medium can only go where the hand was, since the ball was still inside exactly as he held it. The bandage was actually on his arm when we made the sculpture and was perfectly duplicated along with his wrist. After touch up it was painted with acrylics, carefully avoiding the baseball.
Many other sports items can be done similarly with a little ingenuity. For example, we were asked to create a trophy for the coaches of a little league team which would include all 10 boys! Our solution was to have a baseball bat inscribed with a memorial phrase and have each boy wrap his hand around it. This arrangement when into a long trough made of Styrofoam which was our LifeCast™ matrix.
Copyright © 1987 through 2007 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.
Contact MSW Creative Works by mail, eMail, telephone or fax via the Company Information shown by clicking our logo on any page.
Thank you for visiting www.lifecast.net.