John and I hired a model for the torso cast. Not only did we need someone with whom we could practice mold making from life, but we also needed to know how she might react to the process. Fatigue was our greatest fear for the model, and this experiment would help us better understand what our subject could endure during the process.
We had her pose against a board that was leaned slightly back. We figured that this might make things easier for our model, Danielle. Interestingly enough, she suggested that next time she stand upright. Even in the slightly laid back position, she found the weight of the mold the most oppressive part. It made breathing difficult for her.
We also forgot to have her take her clothes of sufficiently in advance to have the marks from them disappear from her skin. As a result, you can see the impression from her underwear in her skin in the final cast. An interesting accident.
The cast came out well with a level of detail that thrilled the whole crew working that night. We pulled it off. There certainly are a lot of places where we would do things differently, but as a first experiment the yield was enormously satisfying.
The breast with a slight repair in clay to the mold under the nipple.
We started with the application of the print coat.
After treating the first layer with bonding agent, the second layer of alginate was applied by John and me, while Joe Fischer applied the burlap strips before the alginate set.
The plaster shell being applied.
A nice view of the mother mold. You can see the layers: skin, aliginate, burlap, and finally plaster bandages.
John inspects the finished mold, now laid flat on the table for casting.
Making repairs to imperfections in the mold with clay. Bubbles or missing spots in the alginate, which stem from areas of poor application of alginate to the model, would result in lumps on the surface of the cast. Danielle's belly button, for example, was not filled in all the way with alginate. The consequence was a big bubble of plaster that turned a bona fide innie into an outie. We will have to watch for that next time. In the meantime, repairs can be made by hand with clay filler.
The final hollow casting reinforced with burlap, but yet to be demolded.
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