Making a Head for a Wrapped or Carved Body

[Jim B]

You can see the paint flecks picked up from the mold.Now I marked on the cup,the size and type animal and the approximate amount of foam required.Remember,it's almost impossible to look at a mold like this and tell what animal it is.It's important to label them.This is a simple mold of a very simply shaped object so it should last much longer than I'll ever need it to.I can't imagine how many heads you could pull out of this mold before it wore out.I used an RTV silicone from McKenzie.this was my first time using it and it seems to be excellent stuff.I used no release agent on the model or to pour the head.That's all folks!

[Codi]

OMG I can't wait until my silicone gets here and then it's time to have fun with molds. I am so excited this is going to be the funnest thing ever! Thanks Jim for making this tutorial! It's like the grown-up version of the Pay-Doh spaghetti factory!

[Jim B]

Some other things to think about when sculpting,when checking symmetry of your work,hold the piece directly under a light so it is evenly lit,side to side.It helps also to occasionally turn it upside down and check symmetry from that angle.You will pick up things you didn't see when it is right side up.The reason I like to start with a bondo carcass head cast,reference points like corner of eye,ear canals,canines,molars and incisors are built in.Try not to cover your reference points right away.Keep them exposed as long as you can,till you are sure everything is laid out properly.Have fun.                                                                 

[Lisa M]

OMG I can't wait until my silicone gets here and then it's time to have fun with molds. I am so excited this is going to be the funnest thing ever! Thanks Jim for making this tutorial! It's like the grown-up version of the Pay-Doh spaghetti factory!

LOL  That is just cute Codi!  I loved play-doh!  They make an edible version now.    at that though...does that mean the old stuff wasn't supposed to be eaten? 

[Codi]

Ozark Woods has a neat tool that will help with keeping everything symmetrical. I forgot what it's called, but you push the pin into the center of the head (or whatever you are working on) and as you push it down the sides spread out equally from the center. If I can find my catalog I'll post what it is called.

[Jim B]

I'd like to see that Codi.

[Codi]

Heres a pic of them. I still can't find that catalog, I just had it two days ago. I want to say they are called Symmetry Calipers, either way, they are from Ozark Woods. The only thing I don't like about them is I wish they were metal.





I think they are really handy and I imagine you can use them for just about any type of clay work you put on your form. I use them to make sure my eyes/eyelids are sticking out equally. I think they would work great for building up the muscle tissue clay on the cast head.

[Lisa M]

Now that is an AWESOME tool!  Osark woods you say?  I'm gonna take a little cyber tool trip.    Thank you Codi.

I'm having trouble finding them...google isn't even helping much...there's info on an Ozark company in this site...is that them Codi?  Thanks.

[Codi]

Lisa, Ozark Woods doesn't have a website for their taxidermy products (that I know of). You'll have to call them and request a catalog. I'll PM you the phone number. They have the best small lifesize forms IMO.

[Lisa M]

Lisa, Ozark Woods doesn't have a website for their taxidermy products (that I know of). You'll have to call them and request a catalog. I'll PM you the phone number. They have the best small lifesize forms IMO.

Awesome...thank you!

[LionHeart]

Excellent tutorial Jim B, thanks for taking time to post, this is exactly what I was looking for. SUPER 

[Jim B]

It has been a long time but skimming over this,I forgot to say that oil based clay can cause some silicones to not set up.This makes a serious mess.I think the rubber I had works with oil based clays but to be safe,I coated the clay with laquer as a barrier.You can also use a fast drying Krylon paint-you choose the color.

[Teh_Saccade]

Nice - useful info, I will try molds this way, rather than pouring into split ones and fixing the two halves together with metal ribbon.
Idk why I never thought to make a mold of the finished product...

In fact, what you could do is just cut the head off of a pre-fab. form and make one from that?

Or is that bad practice? lol