Latex mask, part 1

The next project in school is latex masks. Requirements where animal head, either as a wearable mask or mounted on a wall like a trophy. I choose the mask options and opted for a cat. First of we sculpted a base onto a bust, do not have one of my head so I had to use an existing one I found. This is simply done by adding to the mask until you get the shape you want and then put plaster on it, to simplify the process. One thing you have to account for is the fact that the fur we will add later on is going to build quite a lot of volume.

Blurry picture of my finished sculpt.

You add plaster to one part first, in this case the cast will be made in two parts but depending on the complexity of the sculpt you might need more parts, and then the other parts.

The bust with sculpt is covered in plaster and left to cure. You can see marks
of play around the line in the middle, that soft clay will removed when you
split the cast and is used to drive wedges into so it is easier to separate the
parts without them breaking apart.

One thing to note here is that you should not be sentimental about your sculpt as it is not likely to survive the process of splitting the cast, though mine mostly did. Still removed all the clay from the bust in the end though.

Front part removed after the plaster had cured.

And that is it, so far. Cast is going to dry completely and then it is on to latex and fur, more on that in a later post.