life casting the leg (foot to knee)

[Zendragon]

If you don't need the detail, stick with the plaster bandages. Use medical grade bandages, I find the gauze is a finer weave than the hobby ones, plus they may have more plaster content.
You can also use shellac to seal the inside of the molds for casting.

I am just about to start this now... well within the next couple weeks.

Is there a type of shellac I should use? What is the best way to put the two halves together? I am thinking of using expandable foam on the inside, seems like that may be the best and fastest way to go. Thoughts?

 

[Looch]

If you are doing the plaster bandages, do the back first, let set, then do the front, remembering to overlap-either make obvious dents so they lock up, or make sharpie marks across the seam so they can match up later!

 

[Zendragon]

Thanks, that helps!