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Dave Parvin
Joined:
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16-Mar-2005
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Started On : 31-May-2009 at 10:53:13 PM, #Views : 6067
Topic Subject : Re: full wrap around torso casting |
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Olivier, it seems so often that the most interesting questions or at least the ones requiring the longest discussions come from outside our normal phone calling areas. It is so much easier and faster to talk than type. You have obviously put some thought in to casting a torso in the round and are on the right track. Nevertheless, I would like to make some suggestions.
The first thing is to decide on how accurate you need to be. If you are planning on retaining skin texture, you want any seams to be as small as possible. If you are smoothing the surface or otherwise giving it a different texture, then you can correct any flaws more easily and do not have to be as exact.
Unlike casting a one sided torso where the model can lean against something for support and comfort, in this case the model will have to stand. Also, whereas it takes only 20 to 25 minutes to cast one side, in the round will take at least twice as long. One assistant and myself can easily do a regular torso but I would have at least two assistants in this case. I also have three large hooks forming a triangle about 20 inches on a side directly over where the model will stand. I attach about 3/4 in. rope to two of the hooks long enough for the model to hold onto for stability and comfort.
It is absolutely essential that you bond the the alginate to the mother mold. I do not use plaster bandages, they are too slow and induce flaws in the casting. I use cheese cloth and fast setting plaster which also cost less. Cheesecloth has other uses as well such as being the "fuzz" to bond the alginate to the mother mold. Dan mentioned a hinge. It just so happens that cheesecloth dipped in alginate can in fact be made into a very effective hinge. There are three articles in the ALI Library by me that explain the uses of cheesecloth, Two have "cheesecloth" in their titles and the third is "An Alternative to Using Plaster Bandages..."
You mentioned tearing the alginate, bonding the alginate to the mother mold absolutely will help as well as using alginate soaked cheesecloth as explained in the articles. If you have access to FiberGel, it is by far the most tear resistant alginate I have seen. Also read "Testing a New Alginate or FiberGel..."
Here is something that you may not of thought of. The alginate on the model isn't very heavy, unlike the plaster. If you build the mother mold on the front half first, the model will almost certainly arch backwards as the weight increases and in the final work, she may look about five months pregnant! That really happened to me. The front and back should be constructed at the same time.
Olivier, there are a bunch more things I would like to cover such as what do you do with the mold once the model has gotten out. If you lay it down, it will probably distort. I have a real simple solution but that and some other things are more than should be posted here. Do you have a little time before you have to finish the commission? If you do, I would be glad do a torso in the round and describe the procedure step by step complete with photographs. I could send it to you and then submit it for publication in "Sculpture Journal" as well killing two birds with one stone. With my present schedule, I should be able to finish it in about two weeks.
If you are OK with this, would you describe exactly what you are including, i.e. neck down to how far, arms, etc?
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