Bane Sculpt (Help Now Required)

[hirsty19784]

I am currently creating this sculpt, it requires tweaking and is almost finished fine detail. See what you think i will be updating. I would like to know what materials i should be using to make a negative mould. I am based in the United Kingdom and i am unsure what type of plaster i should be using or what is the best thing to use to finish the mask like silicone or latex. Any help at this stage would be very much apprieciated.... ps this is my first sculpt so my fingers are crossed and i hope it turns out ok....

 

[ministryofmasks]

Great sculpt, really good job You can see my sculpt if you find me on facebook: facebook.com/ministryofmasks. I use Herculite No.2, it is the perfect plaster to use if you are going to be casting the mask in Latex, the cheapest I have found it is specialplasters.co.uk. You will need to be careful that the pipes you have used on the front don't get stuck in your mould. I don't have any experience with Silicone, Latex should be your cheaper option, I get mine from Tomps, I have tried other products and you can find it cheaper else wear but I would highly recommend their product.
Hope this helps

 

[stricky1]

Dumb question here, but can't you coat the tubings in vaseline for example to reduce the risk of sticking?

 

[ministryofmasks]

I don't think that will work, if it was me I would line the inside of the pipes with clay and cover the outside with slip it should then come out but as it is I think they will just lock in the mould.

 

[hirsty19784]

Thanks for the help guys really apprieciated, I.had to fetch the mask in from the shed last night due to someone breaking in. However the ran off but left the sculpt thank god. As the shed was insecure I left it in the house and it has dried with cracks in it. Any suggestions on how I can fill the gaps I will have to make mould as it is because the heat in my home has dried the clay out not happy at all. I read somewhere that I could use a filler of some sort any suggestions for strength. So annoyed at the moment.

 

[ministryofmasks]

You should rap the sculpt in a damp cloth and then rap that in cling film when your not working on it. What sort of clay have you used? You should re work the areas with cracks, marking diagonally across the cracks and then smooth the area out (if that makes sense). If you have used air hardening clay then you will have issues.

 

[Scuba Bob]

if you're going to be finishing the mask in latex, use a hydrocal mold. Dont worry about those pipes, when you de-mold you'll break them off but its just clay. When you make your cast out of latex you'll be able to work it out of those areas. Undercuts are really only a problem on hard mold/hard casting applications. For a piece with this shape, i'd do a 3 piece mold. Mold the back in one section and then the front in 2 sections. If you're going to do the final product in silicone (my personal favorite but much more expensive than latex) you could do the mold out of stone or what my preference is epoxacast gel coat with epoxamite and fiberglass for the outer mold. GREAT results and a long lasting mold.

 

[hirsty19784]

Thanks Guys i will keep you updated just getting the shed back in order then i will get back to sorting the mold. Do you think i could fill the cracks in the clay with bondo or bumper filler as it is air clay and putting more in will probably leave me with same result's cracking as it shrinks. I guess you live a learn.

 

[Scuba Bob]

if its water based clay just take some more clay and mix in a little bit of water to make a slurry and then paint that into the cracks with a stiff bristle paintbrush. it will work so much better than body filler.

 

[bookface]

^ what he said. But as someone mentioned, when you're not working on it, it's a good idea to spray it down with water and cover it with something. I use a plastic sheet. You can leave them for weeks at a time without working on them if you do that, so long as you give it a spraying and recover every couple of days.

 

[loly2kn2]

If the clay has now gone hard and you plan on moulding in plaster you will have a problem when trying to remove it from the mould. You will need to get it soft again. Wrap it with a wet towel and put a plastic bag on it overnight, that should get the clay some moisture, then you can repair the cracks. Every night you leave the sculpture make sure it is covered with a wet towel, this will stop it drying out and cracking again.

On a side note, it looks like you are using a wig for as an armature. These are notoriously smaller than a real head. Latex also shrinks quite a bit, so you will probably end up with a tiny mask...

Hope this helps you.

Lawrence

 

[hirsty19784]

Thanks guys, This mask is for my son who has a smaller head than me so hopefully it will be ok. I want to go through the whole process the best i can then i will make another one hopefully a little more experienced. You guys are great for the responses so thanks i will put a towel on tonight and bag it. Tomorrow i will rework and begin to work out how to do the mould. Alhough i have tried searching the net where can you get life sized bust's or heads from in the uk.

 

[hirsty19784]

Thanks for the info guys the clay is becoming moist again after leaving a wet towel and a bag over it all night. Now i can start to rework on it so a massive thanks. i will also be covering this way from now on.