Help Winnie Cooper become Wonder Woman!

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artoo77 said:
***BIG SNIP***
Once that sets, I'll seal it with shellac and apply Urethane mold release. I'll be using Tap Plastic's X30 expanding foam to create the body shape.
Click to expand...

This is (re)turning into a great informative forum. Excuse me if this is a silly question as I'm a relative amateuer to body-casting... are you using a dense polyurethane foam to create a positive of the torso, to enable you to sculpt directly onto it with a material which will set hard (enabling it to be removed more easily?)
Interesting too, that you were able to cast Ultracal 30 directly into an alginate mould, as I thought there would be issues with the moisture in the plaster and alginate clashing?

Anyways, I don't claim to be a Wonder Woman fanboy (Stomtroopers *are* my thang after all LOL) but I'm definitely interested in seeing how this custom-made costume turns out - with so many industry professionals involved, it should be a corker! :thumbsup

Cheers,
John
 
I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished costume. Danica should be an absolutely gorgeous Wonder Woman and I'm always up for seeing a really good Iron Man costume!
 
Stormtrooper said:
Excuse me if this is a silly question as I'm a relative amateuer to body-casting... are you using a dense polyurethane foam to create a positive of the torso, to enable you to sculpt directly onto it with a material which will set hard (enabling it to be removed more easily?)
Interesting too, that you were able to cast Ultracal 30 directly into an alginate mould, as I thought there would be issues with the moisture in the plaster and alginate clashing?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I'm using, but the "armor" pieces will be sculpted and molded. I may try vacuum-forming styrene as a base to the sculpt, or I may go only with clay--using a clay called Y2 Clay.

Ultracal 30 has been used in alginate molds for over thirty years--recommended by the make-up maestro himself, Dick Smith. However, sometimes a fine chalky surface is produced, damaging the fine surface textures. I've been told that some pros use white hydracal into the alginate mold first, as they intend on remolding the casting in silicone anyway, thus preserving the surface texture. For our purposes, this wasn't necessary, as the finer details weren't needed.

--Don
 
DarkLordVader said:
Where can you get this body casting stuff in retail stores or online? I'd love to work with it.
Click to expand...

Everything was purchased retail or by mail. For the body cast, we simply used plaster bandages--the same kind a doctor would use to create a cast for a broken bone. They come in various sizes--3", 4", 5", and 6", I believe--and you can sometimes pick them up at art/craft stores, like Michael's...though they tend to be expensive that way. Look for a local medical supply house and by a box--it's cheaper. Twelve rolls of 6" plaster bandage cost me $68.

The alginate was purchased from Davis Dental (818 765-4994) in Los Angeles and they shipped it to me--it's sold as Prosthetic Grade Cream. Several other online make-up effects sources will have this stuff as well.

If you try this, please be careful. Read all the articles you can before attempting...I do not encourage anyone to do this without the proper training, as you can hurt the person you're molding.

--Don
 
artoo77 said:
Yes, that's what I'm using, but the "armor" pieces will be sculpted and molded. I may try vacuum-forming styrene as a base to the sculpt, or I may go only with clay--using a clay called Y2 Clay.

Ultracal 30 has been used in alginate molds for over thirty years--recommended by the make-up maestro himself, Dick Smith. However, sometimes a fine chalky surface is produced, damaging the fine surface textures. I've been told that some pros use white hydracal into the alginate mold first, as they intend on remolding the casting in silicone anyway, thus preserving the surface texture. For our purposes, this wasn't necessary, as the finer details weren't needed.

--Don
Click to expand...

Cool... thanks for the info, Don :thumbsup

I just happen to have a large bag of alginate lying around that I'd been meaning to experiment with a lil' bit, from a couple of months ago - trying to make a mould of my own hand with the fingers 'open' (ie. not a clenched fist)

Now back on topic - I agree that Iron Man and Wonderwoman will make a striking impression at the party... I just hope that everyone else isn't wearing tuxedo's and formal evening dresses! :lol

Cheers,
John
 
Stormtrooper said:
Cool... thanks for the info, Don :thumbsup

I just happen to have a large bag of alginate lying around that I'd been meaning to experiment with a lil' bit, from a couple of months ago - trying to make a mould of my own hand with the fingers 'open' (ie. not a clenched fist)

Now back on topic - I agree that Iron Man and Wonderwoman will make a striking impression at the party... I just hope that everyone else isn't wearing tuxedo's and formal evening dresses! :lol

Cheers,
John
Click to expand...

One thing to note about Alginate, at least the stuff Ive used, is that although its very safe it also can dry out extremely quickly, so I would recommend pulling a cast from the alginate as soon as possible, esp if its a hot day etc.
Im really, really keen to see how the metal side to this is tackled, as its directly relevant to a project I am going to be doing in the next few weeks.
Dan
 
CustomCreations said:
One thing to note about Alginate, at least the stuff Ive used, is that although its very safe it also can dry out extremely quickly, so I would recommend pulling a cast from the alginate as soon as possible, esp if its a hot day etc.
Im really, really keen to see how the metal side to this is tackled, as its directly relevant to a project I am going to be doing in the next few weeks.
Dan
Click to expand...

Yes, alginate will dry up rather quickly once mixed and set; as it drys, it shrinks. The positive casting should be created immediately. If you absolutely can't pour in the positive, soak paper (or cloth) towels in water, wring them out, and set them onto the alginate.

Yes, alginate is safe for skin--but my warning still stands: Do not attempt a face cast unless you know what you're doing.

This project will probably not help you within the next few weeks, as I won't be tackling the sculpture/armor just yet. We did the casting early due to scheduling issues with all involved...don't expect rapid updates here.

And geez, no pressure...with everyone waiting, I sure hope it turns out okay...:confused

--Don
 
Yes, Danica is leaving on a book tour for a few weeks, so we had to do this now - plus, we're proceeding very carefully in regards to materials and fabrication options to make sure we use just the right approach. For all of Don's modesty, he's fantastically talented and his wife Anna's work is absolutely amazing. We're supremely confident :)

_Mike
 
mverta said:
Yes, Danica is leaving on a book tour for a few weeks, so we had to do this now - plus, we're proceeding very carefully in regards to materials and fabrication options to make sure we use just the right approach. For all of Don's modesty, he's fantastically talented and his wife Anna's work is absolutely amazing. We're supremely confident :)

_Mike
Click to expand...


Hey, totally off-topic, but I'm curious: is she coming up to the Seattle area for her book tour? I'd like to get a copy of her book and get it signed if she is! :)
 
mverta said:
San Fran is as close as she'll get to Seattle this time around... :redface

_Mike
Click to expand...


Ah, bummer. Oh, well. I'll be buying a copy of the book anyway. :)

As one of the girls who had trouble with math in school, I love that she's trying to make it more accessible and understandable. I always felt like math was a language I just didn't comprehend and I didn't need so much a math teacher as an interpreter! :lol
 
How did I miss this thread Mike! Congrats on this project. She always seems like a great person and very intelligent and down to earth in her interviews. I hope this project goes great for you guys!

Best of luck!!!!!
 
I have been following this since day one and have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this thread. Thanks Mike and Danica.

I would be extremely grateful if we could see more pics of the hand and arm casting process, that is something I have been wanting to do with my son. With the detailed info already supplied it would be invaluable.

Could we have it in a new thread, or even a sticky so as not to derail this thread?!

Lastly good luck with the book
 
I have a couple more pics of the hand/arm casting - they're on the laptop, which is with her on set today. I'll upload them tonight when she gets home.

_Mike
 
These casts haven't been cleaned up yet, obviously...

Hands_1.jpg

Hands_2.jpg

Hands_3.jpg

Hands_4.jpg


_Mike
 
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