Preparing PaperClay for silicone molding - help?

[CentMilleRenard]

Hi All!

So I'm new to the whole mold-making process (and costuming/prop construction in general) so I'm looking for a little advice... I was making a mask out of papier mache with paperclay on top of it to give it a good surface but because of the size it's feeling a bit too heavy to wear as-is. I figured I could make a silicone mold of it and resin cast it instead to fix the problem, I'm just not sure if I need to take special precautions with it because it's paperclay and not actual modeling clay. I'm assuming I'll need to seal it before making the mold but I'm not sure what the best way to go about that would be - does anyone have any tips? Do I even need to bother?

Additionally, I have never made a silicone mold of anything before (this whole thing is quite the learning process!) and while I've seen lots of tutorials and progress photos, etc. of people making mask molds they always seem to skip over the actual mold-making part of the process (everyone says its too boring!) - I'm a very visual learner and I'd love to see a tutorial or even just some snaps of the actual siliconing process if anyone could point me towards one..

I appreciate any help, thanks in advance!

 

[Torment]

You tube is your friend. You can find hundreds of videos of people making molds on youtube.

To prep the clay, I have always just followed smooth on's advice. I coat my clay in a couple coats of crystal clear spray paint. Then I add a wax coat over that to have a decent separation of the master and the mold. Know that the clay sculpt will be destroyed from demolding it.

Other than watching a whole bunch a videos I think you will need to just practice with doing things. Everyone starts somewhere. Heck I have made a ton of mistakes making molds. It just comes from doing and learning.