D. Kim Lindaberry on wed 11 jun 97
Toni Martens
writes:
>----------------------------Original
>message----------------------------
>I would like to make moulds of actual faces
I have had to make molds of faces as well as various other body parts in
my work in theatre. By far the best material I have found to date is a
product called "Flexwax". Flexwax is a wax-plastic material that melts
around 120 degrees. That temp is comfortable enough to use on skin, even
on the face. (Tell your subject its like getting a hot facial) Its safe
and harmless to the skin. It also releases from hair so eyebrows aren't
much of a problem. The detail it gets is unbelievable. You can get
Flexwax from Dick Blick 1-800-447-8192. It costs around $13 for 2.5 lbs
or $21 for 5 lbs. 2.5 lbs is just enough to do one face. It is also
reusable so the investment isn't that bad.
The Process
Using Flexwax will involve a few additional steps than using just
plaster but I think its worth it. Some directions come with the wax.
You need a brush, the wax, a couple of cotton balls and a method of
melting the wax (I use an old crock pot I got for $5 at a thrift store)
Melt the wax and when it has completely melted turn it off. Keep and eye
on the wax and just as it reaches the point where you can put you finger
in without burning, OR where it starts to skin over get you model to lay
down with cotton balls in the nostrils. Quicky start applying the wax
around the nostrils, don't cover over the cotton balls. Let the model
breathe through the mouth right now. Once you have wax built up around
the nose take the cotton balls out and have the model breathe through
the nose. Continue brushing the wax over the rest of the face. Build up
a fair thickness and then let it all cool down. Then remove the mold.
(You might want to make a plaster mother mold on top of the wax first
though)
Now you may choose to press clay into the wax mold or the way I prefer
is to make a plaster positive from the wax mold. From that plaster
positive I can then make a regular plaster mold without worrying about
causing any harm to the model. An advantage to having a plaster positive
is that you can make as many molds as you want from it without having to
bother the model again (or in case you break the plaster mold). You can
also make a piece mold so you could even slip cast the faces. Before you
do this, or any mold to someone, do a little test on your forearm first
so you know in advance where problem may occur. Write me if you have any
other questions about this. I hope this helps.
cheers
Kim
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D. Kim Lindaberry
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd., ATB 115
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
USA
Visit my website at: http://www.johnco.cc.ks.us/~klinda
mailto:klinda@johnco.cc.ks.us
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