Need some help modelling a Batman Cowl.

[CAPNMURICAH]

Hi guys! I need some help modelling a Batcowl, I dont have the technical knowhow or a printer to model and make my own so I figure theres nowhere better to go than here. I want to make the cowl in the below pictures, I have the figure so I was able to get pics all the way around to help you get an idea. Basically the idea is, this cowl, modelled as one piece to then be molded and cast in latex, to account for shrinkage Id like to model it big, about 25 inch brow circumference to allow for bigger heads. Thanks guys!

 

[BingoMaru]

Any particular reason you want it in latex, over urethane?

 

[CAPNMURICAH]

Any particular reason you want it in latex, over urethane?

Urethane has a shorter life, is more prone to tearing and requires more frequent tending to than I care to do, lol.

 

[vader45]

Latex is far superior imo. It has more flex and better tear resistance. Any paint and glue bonds to it.

I never understood why urethane is the go to for cowls.

 

[BingoMaru]

Are you referring to foam latex, or slip latex?

 

[CAPNMURICAH]

Latex is far superior imo. It has more flex and better tear resistance. Any paint and glue bonds to it.

I never understood why urethane is the go to for cowls.

Yeah, also nice ow easy to reshape and resize it is, plus urethane is a carcinogen before it cures, and if you get your ratios wrong and it never fully cures, it stays in a toxic, carcinogenic state. I plan to wear this cowl so no thanks lol.

 

[CAPNMURICAH]

Are you referring to foam latex, or slip latex?

Is slip latex the same as like, Monster brand? Thats what I have in mind. I dont have the time or consistent climate here in Oregon and I certainly dont have nearly the money to do foam latex. Its very expensive and very touchy from what I can find and theres a good chance it doesnt work on each pull from what Ive heard as well. I dont have the money do multiple tries just to throw away any bad pulls.

 

[BingoMaru]

I've been making urethane masks and emblems for years, without very many issues. I can't stand using slip latex. It's an organic material, it degrades and breaks down over years, and the shrinking is preposterous. I shouldn't have to sculpt 10-15% larger and hope that's the percentage to which the mask will shrink.

If you use a urethane that has a 1:1 part ratio, which a lot of Smooth-On urethanes offer, you almost have to try to screw up the mix to get a bad batch, even by eyeballing the mixture rather than using a gram scale for the rubber.

But, to each his own. If you prefer latex, you prefer latex.

 

[clonesix]

May I add my $0.02 here?

Both Latex and Urethane are wonderful materials and make good cowls. But lets not put cart before horse on the first try. This is the first try, right?

For your first try, let's cover the process rather than the finished piece. BTW, if you want to go with 3D printing a cowl from the web, and don't have a printer, you can send the file to Shapeways, or other Web-Based Printing firm for a nominal cost.

1. A cowl is sculpted over a life cast or a similar form. Do you have a lifecast? There are commercial sculpting heads to be found on the web, but the final fit will depend on the shape being close to your head. I say this: HEAD CASTING IS DANGEROUS and needs to be done by experienced people!

2. Sculpting a cowl. You can use oil-base clay or water-base clay. I recommend Water-Base clay for this for two reasons: Very low cost, and ease of use. If this is your first sculpt, I think you would like to practice of inexpensive clay. You may end up sculpting multiple times.

3. Making the cowl mold. Have you ever made a mold? You can make a one-piece mold, or a two-piece mold of of Hydrocal (Gypsum $30/90lb)

4. Slip Casting the Latex. Not difficult, but might go thru a few tries.

5. Does the cowl look and fit as desired? If not, repeat steps 1-4

 

[CAPNMURICAH]

May I add my $0.02 here?

Both Latex and Urethane are wonderful materials and make good cowls. But lets not put cart before horse on the first try. This is the first try, right?

For your first try, let's cover the process rather than the finished piece. BTW, if you want to go with 3D printing a cowl from the web, and don't have a printer, you can send the file to Shapeways, or other Web-Based Printing firm for a nominal cost.

1. A cowl is sculpted over a life cast or a similar form. Do you have a lifecast? There are commercial sculpting heads to be found on the web, but the final fit will depend on the shape being close to your head. I say this: HEAD CASTING IS DANGEROUS and needs to be done by experienced people!

2. Sculpting a cowl. You can use oil-base clay or water-base clay. I recommend Water-Base clay for this for two reasons: Very low cost, and ease of use. If this is your first sculpt, I think you would like to practice of inexpensive clay. You may end up sculpting multiple times.

3. Making the cowl mold. Have you ever made a mold? You can make a one-piece mold, or a two-piece mold of of Hydrocal (Gypsum $30/90lb)

4. Slip Casting the Latex. Not difficult, but might go thru a few tries.

5. Does the cowl look and fit as desired? If not, repeat steps 1-4

This is my first and I know the process, this is my first step in the process Im doing, its a bit different from the usual style of sculpt over a lifecast, mold and cast copies, the plan is that the 3d file will be printed, cleaned, then a mold will be made from the print and casts then pulled from the mold. I know I COULD sculpt it, but I really want everything symmetrical and I cant trust myself to do that by hand. Plus I plan on selling the copies so Im not worried about it fitting me PERFECTLY, so much as a 1 size fits most. Thanks for helping though, thats helpful info.