Alright I want to sculpt out of clay a bust. I then want to make that bust into a mask. I plan on using platsil gel-10 for the silicone. Not sure what kind of clay. Im also curious about how I turn the bust into a mask. I am aware of the method of just pouring the silicone over the bust but dont want to take this route. Any help is appreciated.
Silicone mask help
- Thread starter 40016a
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-VERTIGO-
Well-Known Member
As I asked just about a week ago, the answer I received is Neill Gorton's DVDs are the way to go. And boy are they a godsend; I know they're expensive but I'll quote what others have said "they're worth their weight in gold." You could also pay for VOD and rent each of them for 6 months, which if you need all of them will total out to about $100 USD sans the Aging With Prosthetics DVDs. As I'm a fellow "noobie" getting into this like yourself, I don't have any sage like advice except that Mr. Gorton's DVDs are truly phenomenal. Many people here can give you direction but if you want a full how-to those are the way to go.
I'd like to tag on a question for those that respond here, I did rent the Creating Character Prosthetics in Silicone DVDs, would you also suggest getting the Art of Silicone Prosthetics as well?
I'd like to tag on a question for those that respond here, I did rent the Creating Character Prosthetics in Silicone DVDs, would you also suggest getting the Art of Silicone Prosthetics as well?
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8 perf
Sr Member
Not sure how big of a mask you are doing, full head, just face, or just small appliances on the face. To make sure it will fit you, I would sculpt on a lifecast of your own head. And as for the type of clay, DO NOT use anything with sulfur in it. If you are using Plat-Sil, it is platinum cured and the sulfur will react with the platinum and the rubber will NEVER set up. Found that out the hard way a few years back.
-VERTIGO-
Well-Known Member
Oh yes, I should have mentioned this. A lot of people use Monster Maker's clay. Personally I use Chavant NSP Medium. It's $8 per two pounds from my local supplier.
The process of making a full head silicone mask is very complex and has a steep learning curve. If you are just wanting a specific mask you cant buy elsewhere and you don't really want to learn how to do these type of masks I might suggest you have someone else make it for you. The cost of commissioning it will be far less than making it yourself. There's a laundry list of materials you need to buying to do just one mask and a lot of people have these on hand already while you'll be buying them for one use. Most molds for making silicone masks are made from fiberglass with a gelcoat surface or silicone themselves with a fiberglass jacket but some are made from stone as well. Then there comes the issue of painting the actual mask itself and then again there are a lot of supplies to buying there and a curve to learning how to best use them again. In the end unless it's a combo of "learning" to do it as well as "making" the mask itself the cost will be several times just having it made for you.
I hope I'm not putting you off trying I'm just being frank and honest.
Woody
I hope I'm not putting you off trying I'm just being frank and honest.
Woody
pitchforknumb
Sr Member
In a nutshell. You sculpt your prosthetic on a lifecast of the subject you will be applying the finished prosthetic to. After done sculpting you make of a mold of the cast out of fiberglass, plaster, or other methods. You'll need to break the mold into at least 2 pieces to make removing it possible, but 3 is usually better for sculpts that have a lot of texture. Once you've cleaned out the moulds and lifecast, you inject your casting material into the mold and you have a full head mask. Once again, this is a minimal description. If you are serious about going about it, I would recommend you pick up Neill Gorton's DVD. Very detailed and thorough.
