Mold making for small clay figures

[synistergiggles]

I’ve got two small clay figures that I hope to mold very soon. I want to cast them in resin and if possible have moveable heads and arms as well(simple articulation). I have very little experience in this and would like to get your guys advice and opinions on what type of mold making process I should use(brush on,two part mold,etc.) I want to produce these guys as soon as possible

 

[JoeCS]

One option: https://youtu.be/TS2eGvqk0Nk

 

[synistergiggles]

I feel like I’d need to do a two part mold for this but I’m just not sure on the process when using a clay sculpture. I don’t want to lose any detail or damage it at all during the process and I’ve seen many videos where they’re using a hardened piece so it’s easy to press a clay bed into the item since they won’t damage it. Mine however is able to be damaged if I press into too much,I can’t really Dina any overly helpful tutorials about it

 

[The9thWonder]

It looks like you can get away with a two part silicone mold on those guys. Seal your sculpture with a few light layers of crystal clear and matte finish. You can do a very light release too if you want. throw down a small piece of clay wrapped in cling wrap (or some foam if you have it. Anything soft really) to lay the sculpture down without damaging. Then clay up your diving line, taking out any undercuts. Throw in some round keys and a foam core wall and pour up your first half. Wait for that to set, flip the sculpture, wall it up again. Release your silicone with ivory soap + alcohol mix to release it. Let it dry and do a few layers of this. You can also do a very light misting of 301 spray. Then pour up the second side.

You could also possibly build a box around it while it is standing up and pour up a one piece box mold. You would need to strategically cut it and it might be a pain to take out, but you will get really good seam lines.

Also don't forget to add in bleeders in say those toes and some similar areas.

 

[maddoghoek100]

if cost and time are not a factor and your biggest concern is preserving the sculpt and eventually having moveable joints just make a single piece block mold or pour a t piece/3 piece mold. BUT think of it as a waste mold with a focus on getting your sculpture out clean You might have mediocre parting lines and some registration issues with the waste mold, but you can cast a couple of hydro-cal or monster clay positives in it, clean them up and then do a clean two part mold. To do a movable head and joints you are going to have to cut up your sculpt eventually to cast the individual parts, so the waste mold will let you pour up some extras that you can cut up.

it is no super efficient but you can pour a two part mold. just sit your piece on it's back in a mold box (preferably on a large clay spru or set of sprus that will make it level). pour silicone up to where your parting line would be. Once it is set cut some registration marks in the silicone and pour to the top of your mold box. You now have a two part mold with a holes in the back. Pull your clay sprus and make a third pour to fill them. If you do not use any release those holes will seal right up as if they were never there. Then you will need to cut vents and pour holes. you can also set your sprus to use as pour holes and vents. when you pour your plugs use mold release so you can fill your mold to overflow, and jam in your plugs before your resin sets. If all is tight you will have very small seams and the back pressure of the plugs going in will clear up a good number of problem air bubble spots. If you do this i wold recommend the quick set oomoo 25 as a cheap quickset silicon. Otherwise you will be days making your pours. This only works if your molding part line is symmetrical on a single plain. That seems to be the case for your rounder figure. The other guy may need some love to get his cheeks out of the mold

 

[synistergiggles]

Thanks guys! That helps a lot,I appreciate all of the good info