Merrie Boerner on tue 9 oct 01
This is a question that a new friend posted, but it didn't have the right
subject....I was afraid that it may not be answered....plus, I'm interested
in the process.
"I have a question.
I am interested in doing some slip casting, full body pieces. Human bodies
that is. Is my best bet to use plaster cast type bandaging? I have seen
something about adding alginate to that. Then, I presume, I could take that
and make a clay positive, to create a pottery plaster mold for pouring slip
cast.
Am I heading in the right direction here?
Sheryl VanVleck
Wyoming, where our biggest threat, so far, seems to the antelope and teenage
drivers."
Jocelyn McAuley on wed 10 oct 01
Hi Sheryl
I don't have direct experience making this sort of a casting, however in
my slip casting class tonight I was able to watch the process one of our
sculpture grad students used in a similar project.
Alginate is used to first make a mold of the body. Its a powder that
congeals into a rubbery mold. Alginate is a dental compound used to make
mouth molds. If it is legal where you live, you can purchase alginate
cheaper from a dental supply outfit (where it comes in multiple
flavors). If illegal to purchase dental supplies, then it might be
available from your local clay store in the mold making section.
A clay form isn't usually made directly from the alginate form because the
alginate won't draw water out from the clay like plaster will.
Plaster cast bandages were used outside the alginate to strengthen the
alginate mold. After the mold has firmed up, the model finally gets a
break and is removed from the mold. wax is poured inside the
mold (plaster would work too), firms up, and creates the form from which
the plaster slip cast molds are made.
Hope this helps get you in the right direction. I'm anxious to hear how
others do this as it sounds beautiful.
Good luck
--
Jocelyn McAuley ><<'> jocie@worlddomination.net
Eugene, Oregon
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