In order that you can make a mask that fits snugly to the contours of an actor's face assisting them to portray a character; you will first have to create a life cast.
A life cast is an exact copy of person's features, which allows you the privilege of studying them for extended periods of time, and applying products and chemicals which would otherwise cause great suffering or even danger to the subject
themselves. Working on a life cast offers the artist greater flexibility and time to render their creations.
This is an advanced form of mask making. However, with a little effort and
experience, you should have no problems creating an end result, which looks visually dramatic and stunning.
Although the process of making a life cast is relatively simple, it does require some practice in order to obtain a successful result every time. However if you follow the instructions on this page, you should achieve the desired effect.
Needed:
• Masking Tape
• Trash bag
• Bald cap and spirit gum (optional)
• Denture fixative cream
• Hair drier
• Sand paper
• Petroleum jelly
• Modeling clay
• Plaster bandage
• Plaster (powdered stone)
• Plastic wrap and sticky tape for it (optional)
• Alginate
• Soggy Soap
• Plaster rasp
Ensure your subject is sitting comfortably, and in the upright position. This is so that the face is relaxed and the features do not distort. In the interests of cleanliness it is good practice to cover any porous surfaces surrounding the work area with plastic.
This includes the subject's clothing.
A plastic refuse sack can be cut to make a cheap overall.
Masking tape (low contact) is used to attach your water resistent overall to the subject's clothing and skin.
Quick Method
For time or comfort, a bald cap is applied. Lift the front of the cap, and begin to adhere it to the forehead with spirit gum . Once set, you can pull any wrinkles away from the top of the head and start gluing it to the back of the neck. Then simply tack down all the remaining edges keeping a good tension. Any exposed hairs should be coated in a generous layer of petroleum jelly.
Low budget Method
A cheap alternative to using a bald cap would be to stretch some plastic wrap (cling film) over the subject's scalp, then fixing it in place with sticky tape.
Proffesional Method
Apply soggy soap (a regular bar of soap that has been allowed to go soft in water), to the head. Comb the hair back away from the face and blow dry to the scalp. This will reduce even the most volumous hair. The process can be repeated until an impenetrable casing has been made of the subject's hair.
Following the manufacturers directions for mixing the alginate, ensure that the mixture is free from lumps and that all the dry powder has been turned to a smooth paste. Then, begin applying it to the face.
Safety
The most important thing to remember is safety. You may find yourself in the predicament of having 80% successfully completed the casting process, when your subject begins showing signs of distress or difficulty breathing. You should not hesitate to be willing to destroy your work at any given moment in favour of the subjects well-being.
Make sure that the subject's airways are constantly monitored and kept clear.
Starting from the forehead, gradually working your way down the face keeping a minimum thickness of 1/4" (6mm). When you get to the eyes (which should be closed), make sure that you do not trap air bubbles in the corners by keeping constant contact with your fingers to the face. Pay particular attention not to cover the nostrils. The alginate will soon cover the mouth, so the nasal airways must be kept clear at all times. Gravity and the product's liquid state will cause it to run. You must control this until it sets (5 min approx.), by picking up the excess and
depositing it back. Pay particular attention to weak points such as the tip of the nose and edges of the face.
Once the alginate has set, you are ready to begin applying a shell of plaster
bandage. This will provide a scaffold for the rubbery skin of alginate, which lacks the strength to support itself once released from the face. Dip (manageably pre-cut) pieces of plaster bandage in a bowl of water, and squeeze out the excess before applying it evenly and methodically to the face to a thickness of about 3-4 layers.
Make sure you press and smooth the bandage around all the solidified lumps and drips formed by the alginate skin (When you come to removing the cast, you ideally want both the alginate and the plaster to come off together). Add extra layers to stress points such as the nose and chin, and the edges of the face in particular.
Be very careful once again, not to cover the airways of your subject. Once you are satisfied that the subject is covered, you wait...(10-15mins drying time)
Tips
Be aware of how it feels to sit quietly for up to 40mins. Now add to this the feeling of cold wet slime being smeared all over your face, followed by the very warm curing action of the plaster bandage setting. You subject will be unable to speak or see, So consider having the radio on. Also talk to your subject through the process as you administer it, so that they know what is happening, and how much longer this is going to take. Minutes will seem like hours under all that gunk!
Once the bandage feels hard, get your subject to begin releasing their frozen
expression under the cast, by wiggling their nose, sucking in their cheeks and pulling faces. They will be able to feel the alginate releasing from their skin (you may even hear a sigh of utter relief!).
Tip: Gravity (your enemy during the application of the wet alginate) can now be your ally when it comes to removing it.
Ask your subject to lean forward clasping their head in their hands, and they will begin to fall out of the cast. Don't rush this part though. The cast may have stuck to hairs not only hurting your subject, but also causing the plaster shell to detach from the alginate cast as it snags to the face. Talk with your subject. They can tell you where it is sticking, and together you can release it.
Try not to tear the alginate, if you have been unlucky enough for it to have completely fall apart from the shell, you may still be able to save it (very tricky though). If all else fails, you may have to start the whole proccess over again (Understandably; if you have not made the experience as pleasent as possable for your subject, they may be hesitant!).
Assuming you have been successful, you are ready to begin filling your mould.
Place the cast face down; You will need to shore it up to keep it from rolling over or crushing the nose. I use a towel rolled up and made into a nest. Don't rush, but do it quickly as the alginate is already starting to shrink as the water evaporates from the cast. Firstly you have to block those airways or else the plaster will simply run out the two holes in the bottom of your cast. The best way to do this is with a little modelling clay. If the alginate has come loose anywhere on the cast, you can use denture adhesive to stick it back in place.
Here are some images to help you: