First mask sculpt. Finished!

Jennigirl

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
So I am sculpting an original mask design I call "The Obscene Gag Hag". It's nowhere near finished (needs ears, smoothing, and texture detailing). Because this is my first lifesize head sculpt I am not sure exactly how to go about adding texture, and what not. Then comes the molding process which I have never molded a mask before. How should I go about finishing the sculpt? WARNING! , the sculpt contains details of an "obscene" nature and is intended for the sole purpose of humor... discretion is advised...
 

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Hi Jennigirl

I would take a look to the symmetry and shapes before getting into the refining process. Also, I think adding the ears as soon as possible (I never sculpt without them there) is a must as they will help with proportions and are part of the shape, I see no reason for starting a head sculpt without the ears.
To see the symmetry issues (I can see some problems in the back part for example) you can use a mirror to look at your sculpt. Defects will become more evident. Just in case, don´t know if you are working from a speccific design or it´s freestyle.

Once you have your shapes on place (symmetry etc. or whatever) you should first even the surface before moving on to refining and texture.
You can do this (get an even surface) with a rake tool for sculpting working on a criss-cross manner. Or if you don´t have one you can go with metal saws or similar. But to get to this you will first have to get an even surface by just sculpting (adding/carving). Also passing rake tools in a slight manner will tell you where you are missing material etc.
Once everything is in place as you like it and you have a smooth and regular even surface you can move to the texture job. There are different techniques for this (using plastic film, different tools, alcohol, talc...). But first I would work out the shapes as much as possible.

As for the molding process, will it be a latex mask?
 
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Hi Jennigirl

I would take a look to the symmetry and shapes before getting into the refining process. Also, I think adding the ears as soon as possible (I never sculpt without them there) is a must as they will help with proportions and are part of the shape, I see no reason for starting a head sculpt without the ears.
To see the symmetry issues (I can see some problems in the back part for example) you can use a mirror to look at your sculpt. Defects will become more evident. Just in case, don´t know if you are working from a speccific design or it´s freestyle.

Once you have your shapes on place (symmetry etc. or whatever) you should first even the surface before moving on to refining and texture.
You can do this (get an even surface) with a rake tool for sculpting working on a criss-cross manner. Or if you don´t have one you can go with metal saws or similar. But to get to this you will first have to get an even surface by just sculpting (adding/carving). Also passing rake tools in a slight manner will tell you where you are missing material etc.
Once everything is in place as you like it and you have a smooth and regular even surface you can move to the texture job. There are different techniques for this (using plastic film, different tools, alcohol, talc...). But first I would work out the shapes as much as possible.

As for the molding process, will it be a latex mask?
It is completely freestyle. I just started sculpting it last night and it kind of "evolved" into what it is now.
Yes it will be a latex mask.
 
Udog has great advice as always! Keep the whole sculpt at the same level of detail, start with the overall form and then move on to refining the details... don't jump to detailing one area.

There are tons of great videos on YouTube that show techniques for texturing and molding. Also Stan Winston's online school has some great videos. I watch as much as I can and try different options until I find things that work for me.

Life is also asymmetrical, so when you are looking at symmetry be judging how much you want. Real symmetry looks technical, some asymmetry looks natural -or funny -or even scary depending on the subject. Again, that can be an artistic choice which is the point of making things yourself.

Don't be afraid to try something, scrap it if it isn't working and try something else.
 
Updated with a more family friendly design. The area behind the jaw, and chin need to be filled in, and I need to increase the head size to accommodate for the average adult head.
 

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Added a few details. Still have a long way to go before it's ready to be molded.
 

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Good to see it´s moving ahead, with ears.
If you are planning to cast latex a plaster mold would be the way. Hydrocal would be a good option as it´s more porous, but Ultracal or others would do too.
A two part mold with the dividing line along the ears. I´m sure you will find info about how to make it if you have never tried. If it´s the first time I would recommend to make a small mold test so you get familiar with plaster tempos etc.
and I need to increase the head size to accommodate for the average adult head
Good idea.
Actually latex shrinks so it´s good to sculpt a bit bigger taking that in account.
Are you sculpting over a plaster head?. If so maybe it´s a good idea to uncover the eyes to see where you are exactly positioned. I assume that the one who wears the mask will see through the eyes.

Life is also asymmetrical, so when you are looking at symmetry be judging how much you want. Real symmetry looks technical, some asymmetry looks natural -or funny -or even scary depending on the subject. Again, that can be an artistic choice which is the point of making things yourself.
I agree with that. Total symmetry is not what we normaly see in nature and life.
But all in all I think it´s good to control it, as you say, judging how much you want.
I mean, if there´s a big asymmetry in a sculpt, I think it´s good that it´s evident you have been after it, for example.
 
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Looking at it twice, and thinking of the mold, careful with that goat beard. Could be difficult to take the clay out.
 
Looking at it twice, and thinking of the mold, careful with that goat beard. Could be difficult to take the clay out.
This I agree with. I am unsure exactly how I am going to mold it as it is a first time for me.
The "goat beard" is actually a wart horn growing out of it's chin. It was actually sculpted over a Styrofoam wig head that I had so that might present an issue when time comes to mold it.
 

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This I agree with. I am unsure exactly how I am going to mold it as it is a first time for me.
The "goat beard" is actually a wart horn growing out of it's chin. It was actually sculpted over a Styrofoam wig head that I had so that might present an issue when time comes to mold it.
Take in account some of these Styrofoam heads are smaller than a human one, dont know how big yours is. Some measuring to make sure could help.
Plus the fact latex shrinks its good you sculpt bigger.
Maybe you could mold that horn separate, this is, cutting it off the sculpt and making an independent mold for it. And leaving in the sculpt some sort of plug area to glue it back when you have your latex castings.
You could use the horn to make your first mold and practice, it´s small, it would be a one part mold and if for some reason it comes out wrong, resculpting the horn won´t be so much work.
 
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Got it on a proper Monster Makers head armature. In the process of smoothing it out.
 

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It's finally done, with a smoothed out surface, and a unique skin texture.
All that is left is to mold it.
 

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