Batman 89 cowl sculpt

[toxicvenom]

Hi all
I am starting to sculpt an 89 cowl, but want to cast it in latex, just prefer the way latex is more forgiving, repairable, and the ability
to repaint. my question is sculpting should it be bigger, looking at Artsee1 latest cowl it looks normal size over his life cast, but I know he like to cast in
latex, just wondered how his pull compared to the sculpt, I dont want to spend lots of time and effort only to find the latex pulls are smaller ,anyone cast latex cowls, any info on there final results......

 

[Bullitt]

Artsee1's 89 cowl is small and snug, 22 inches or less. I've no first hand experience in this, but I know latex shrinks when it sets. So you should definitely oversize your sculpt to account for the shrinkage that will occur. However, it's not an exact science, so maybe someone with more experience casting latex can chime in. Good luck!

 

[toxicvenom]

Artsee1's latest DOJ cowl I was really refering to he has a silicone mould but I think he still has cast in latex. A slow process with the drying. Just wondered if this process keeps the size

 

[TigerStoneFX]

The latex shrinks because of the moisture leaving it during curing. Mould material won't change that and latex in a silicone mould is truly more work than it's worth. I had to run 15 faces for an event a while back, made a silicone mould as they wanted them in resin originally and then changed their mind to latex. Took forever and the latex often pulled away from the silicone while drying because it needs heat to account for the lack of stone to draw the moisture out of it.

Latex generally shrinks between 10-20%. That said said, 20% of 5mm is less than 20% of 10mm so it's all relative really. A half inch of clay should give you a good buffer assuming the head you're sculpting on is accurate to your head size.

 

[toxicvenom]

Cheers Nat just feel having a go and would rather muck up a latex than Urethane. My latex pieces I have are much easier to renovate and latex moulds are cheaper for me as I can get plaster for free at work. We make about 200 tons an hour of casting plaster so I'm swimming in it Lol

 

[TigerStoneFX]

If you want to run latex, I'd go with a stone mould. Casting plaster isn't ideal but if get it for free, it'll get you a few castings