Hi Jeddie,
Lifecasting isn't necessary, but was probably used by the original sculptore to create the prop.
There are a few other ways to tackle this project, but if I were making this glove, here's how I'd do it...
You'll need the following....
- Latex gloves (Marigolds would do if you could not get some of the surgical/inspection type gloves - or even the free clear plastic ones you could nick from the garage next time you fill up with petrol!!).
- Brown Parcel Tape (the sticky stuff, not the stuff you wet)
- Chavant type clay or modelling wax (for easier de-moulding)
- Casting plaster
- Liquid Latex Rubber (no baking required I promise!?!?!!)
- Latex Thickener
- Vaseline (or cheaper supermarket own-brand Petrolium Jelly)
The Sculpt:
First off put on the right hand of a latex glove.
Get someone to help you tear some strips of brown parcel tape and begin wrapping it around your gloved hand. Making sure to keep your fingers separated.
After a few layers, it will be difficult to move your fingers.
Now cut a seam line along the back of your hand and remove the parceltape glove.
Re-seal the seam with tape and stuff with newpaper.
Now, roll out a thin layer of clay - around 2mm or 3mm thick and cover the taped up hand.
Add detail to your sculpt.
It looks as if there were no hard parts looking at the cast and finished prop in the pictures above, so I'd go ahead and sculpt them all on.
When you have a finished sculpt pop it into the fridge to harden up (wax based clays will harden with cold and soften with warmth).
The Mould:
Make waterproof open-topped box that fits the hand sculpture. I make mine out of estate agent boards.
Pour in enough plaster to half fill the box and watch as it sets (about 10 mins)
When the plaster is thick enough to paste, but still thick enough to push your finger in (consisitency of really thick double cream) take your glove sculpture and give half of it (either topside of your hand or palmside) a coat of plaster, then immerse it halfway into the still wet, but pliable plaster - look out for air bubbles - that's why you painted some on the glove first and didn't just sink in a dry object.
Pay attention to where the seam line will be on the glove.
You should now have a block of plaster with a half submerged sculpture in it.
When the plaster has set, carve out some keying-in holes around the sculpture to aid the mouldcase's lining up later.
Smear vaseline on all of exposed area of the plaster surface.
Pour another load of plaster on top of the sculpt and surrounding plaster.
When this has set you should have a big rectangular block of plaster with a seam line all round the middle.
You may need a screwdriver to help separate the two halves.
When you have the parts of the mould apart the hand sculptutre will probably have been damaged - dont worry - you will have to damage the sculpt to get the sculpt out.
As you have used wax based clay use a hair dryer to soften the clay and peel it away from the mould case.
make sure there is a wrist sized hole to pour your casting material in.
The Cast:
Now get your latex and add thickener. You want a slushy, but brushable mix. You could also add some silver paint at this stage if you want to colour the latex.
Coat the insides of your mould and join together.
Now pour in and fill the mould with latex.
Leave for about 24 hours and pour out the unset latex.
This will have left a skin of latex within the mould (think froth cappucino when you have drunk the coffe and the foam remains on the inside of the cup)
Tip upside down and leave to drip-dry. Maybe another 24 hours.
Make sure the latex has set inside the mould and if it has, de-mould.
Clean up the seam line with a very sharp knife - if you get any inwards mould lines, just fill with some latex - it will stick to itself pretty well.
You should now have a tight fitting glove as latex shrinks about 5%.
Painting:
Add some silver paint to liquid latex to the desired colour and preferably airbrush onto the latex casting.
Paint + Latex = flexible paint!
I've also heard that washing up liquid will work too, but haven't tried it.
Wear as little or as often as you like - just be aware that latex is not a permanent item and will deteriorate over time. So do most rubbers.
Maybe make a wearable one and a display one?
Hope that helps - probably not a perfect way to make it, but almost certainly the way I'd go if I were on a budget.
All items needed can be bought from a company in London called Tirantis.
Youtube Search for "latex mask making" and you'll get similar tutorials that you can draw experience from.
Take pictures along the way and don't forget to post on here as you progress - we all love to see projects in stages!
Draven
