Body
Casting Manual.
A Complete body casting instruction manual explaining in details how
to make a realistic, life size and very elegant plaster sculpture of
someone’s torso (or any other bodypart.)
by Olivier Duhamel
Introduction.
Written by Waiheke Island sculptor and life caster Olivier Duhamel,
this life casting guide documents in detail all the steps necessary
to make a mold and plaster casting of someone’s chest.
About Life casting.
Before delving into the heart of the matter, I thought that I would
write a bit more about life casting and body casting in general. You
can choose to skip this section but make sure to read everything
else.
What is life casting?
A bit of history
Famous body casters. |
Materials
and equipment.
This is the list of tools and materials you will need to complete
the project. It should all cost no more than a restaurant meal for
two and a bottle of wine.
Which alginate to buy?
Which plaster gauze to buy?
Where to buy? Additional materials.
Process overview.
This section describes the body casting process in broad lines.
|
Before
starting.
First read this entire manual to familiarise yourself with the
process and make sure you understand every step.
Choosing a pose.
The pose must be comfortable enough for the model to keep still for
about twenty minutes. |
Applying
the alginate skin.
This is the most difficult part of the casting process and much of
the success of your casting will depend on how well you have done
this part.
Mixing the Alginate
Applying the alginate |
Embedding Cotton wool.
In this step of the process we will attempt to make the two parts of
the mold (the alginate skin and the yet to be made plaster shell) to
adhere to each other. This is not absolutely necessary for a simple
casting such as our small torso example but will be very useful if
not absolutely essential for more elaborate castings.
Alternative to using cotton wool.
Which method works best?
A third method.
A fourth method
Constructing the plaster shell.
This is done by applying the wet plaster gauzes over the alginate
skin. Three layers are sufficient. |
Releasing
the mold.
When the plaster has set, after 5 to 10 minutes, the mold is ready
to be released and the model set free. This must not be rushed or
you’ll risk ripping off the fragile alginate.
|
Casting
the plaster.
This must be done shortly after the mold has been made. By all means
do not wait overnight as the alginate will dry very quickly and
become brittle and fragile.
Fixing defects in the mold.
Mixing the Plaster
Casting |
Unmolding.
Finishing.
A fresh cast is still full of water and very heavy. It is set but
wet. You would normally let it dry for several weeks before
attempting any sort of finishing. However there are a few things you
can do on your wet plaster.
Fixing defects.
Hanging.
Gluing.
Drying.
Cleaning the contour.
Sealing.
Care and maintenance. |
Trouble shooting.
Many things could go wrong; I have learnt the hard way and I have
done my best to give you instructions that will allow you to succeed
at your first attempt. However, read below some further advice on
how to avoid or remedy the most common mistakes.
The alginate is lumpy instead of creamy.
The alginate sets too quickly.
The casting is beautiful but the breasts look a bit flat?
The plaster shell does not set
There are some bumps and misshape in the plaster sculpture.
The finished plaster sculpture goes mouldy.
I accidentally dropped the sculpture and it broke off in pieces.
There are small cracks in the finished plaster.
Other problems. |
Taking it
further.
I suspect that you have enjoyed making this sculpture, that the result is
amazing and that you want to make more.
Other casting projects.
Although the same techniques can be applied to cast any other body
parts, this chapter gives you some important information on how to
cast some other body parts and how to use stronger alternatives to
plaster of Paris. It is not necessary to read this chapter for the
purposes of the simple torso casting project.
Including hands in the casting.
Including clothing in the casting.
Casting a face.
• Ears,
• Eyes, Eyes brown and eyes lashes
• Nostril
• Hair
• Facial expression
Casting hands.
Intimate castings.
A cleaner, stronger mold.
Casting larger areas such as a pregnant belly.
Alternative to plaster gauze.
Casting in Forton MG.
Last words.
I hope that you have enjoyed making this sculpture. If you have
followed my instructions you should now have a beautiful sculpture
to grace your home with. |
About the author.
A New Zealander since 1987, French born Olivier Duhamel lives on
Waiheke Island near Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Marie-France
and their 3 children.
Appendix
We list many places selling alginate and plaster gauze. An updated
list can be requested from
info@bodyscape.net.nz
Australia Belgium Brazil Canada Cyprus France Germany Hungary
Ireland Martinique/Guadeloupe New Caledonia New Zealand Poland
Reunion South Africa Spain Switzerland Sri Lanka Tahiti The
Netherlands UK USA |
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