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Sealing and MarkingThe plaster core is sealed with a shellac sealer to stop the porous plaster from gripping onto the fibreglass. The split mould line is then marked on. | Clay WallA Thick wall of clay is built along the split line. To help the clay curve, splits are cut into the clay and re-filled afterwards. | Protecting and StrengtheningPaper towel is pushed into the edge of the clay around the face. It is them dampened and a layer of plaster cast is added onto the flange, and ribs are made to go across the width of the face. This strengthens the wall for fibreglass to be applied to the back. |
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KeysKeys are made using a rubber end of a pencil, sprayed with wax. As this is the appropriate size for the silicone to align with. Larger keys are also made suing a semi circle. These key together the fibreglass moulds. | FibreglassThe wall and core are sealed and released ready to be powdered, which absorbs excess and helps the gel coat to stick. Catalysed gel coat is applied and matting is wetted down and applied in layers of lay-up resin. Air pockets are brushed out. | Filling with SiliconeExcess fibreglass is trimmed form edges and the plaster cast, clay and paper towel are removed. Small screws are drilled into the fibreglass to stop this from moving. Lying down the cast, a clay wall with keys is built as a barrier for the silicone. |
SiliconeBrushing in silicone first picks up the detail of the face. Silicone is forced into the edges and fills the keys. This thixotropic layer is poured on top and smoothed over. When cured, cast is put up right and another layer is added. | Releasing the MouldThe clay wall is removed and a release is applied over the silicone in preparation for the fibreglassing process again. Once the fibreglass is cured, the shells are bolted together and edges are sanded down. To release the, knocking them with a hammer releases the suction. | NegativeOnce prised apart,if any of the core is left inside the fibreglass, this can be cleaned off with IPA. |
Neill Gorton
Creating Character Prosthetics in Silicone:
Part 1: Preparing and Moulding the Lifecast
Part 2: Preparing for and sculpting the prosthetic appliance
Gel coatApplying gel coat into the negative mould, up to the flange edge, using a brush to work it into the detail. Let this begin to cure. | FibreglassAdd another layer of gel coat. Wet down matting and layer inside, thoroughly pushing through to remove any trapped air. | FillerPrepare the positive by applying filler along the seam and sanding down until smooth. Avoid removing any detail or texture. |
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Wax SheetA wax sheet is applied to the back of the head to keep the clay thickness consistent. This also avoids damaging the core and avoids thin areas. | SculptingWorking in layers, sausages of clay are added replicating a rough anatomical base which builds up with features and texture. | TextureUsing a rough brush, the whole sculpt is brushed over for a texture base. |
PowderingAfter brushing with rough brushes, the powder brushed off gathered excess clay. | WrinklesPlastic is placed on top to create wrinkles and pores, which helps to avoid clay balls forming. | Bump detailHeating up plasterline into a liquid, gives you a texture you can brush on to give a bumpy, realistic texture. |
AlginateA cast of the sculpted mouth is taken by making a wall of tape which is then filled with alginate, giving you a negative mould. | Plaster positive | Negative of a CastA container is built around the plaster positive, to make a negative using silicone. Which is then poured into the container, and cured. |
Filling CastEurethane Plastic (fast cast) is then poured into the silicone cast, giving a positive to sculpt a lip piece on to. | Positive Cast Sculpt |
KeysKeys are drilled into the mould so that the positive and negative can lock into place. | Grounding upThis created the flashing for silicone to run into and creates the blending edge for application. | Silicone pieceThis is what would come out of the closed mould once silicone is squeezed between the positive and negative. |
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Keys and clay divideFlashing holes are made in the eyes, mouth and ears as points of contact. A clay wall is built again to prepare for fibreglass. | SupportTo support the front, the back of the head is protected by damp tissue and plaster cast robs are used to reinforce the back whilst fibreglassing the front. | FibreglassAn initial layer of gel coat is brushed on and nearly cured before adding another layer and fine surface tissue, which has been used to help pick up smaller details. Matting is then applied in layers, wetting each time. |
Fibreglassing the backThe same process is repeated around the head which has been dived into two at the back for ease of de-moulding. | De-mouldingTapping with a rubber mallet knocks out the suction, allowing the moulds to come away with some pressure. | Bleeding holesSmall bleeding holes are drilled out to allow air to escape through them and allow the silicone to entirely fill the mould without overflow. |
16.png | ReleaseWashing up liquid can be used as a release in the mould before silicone is applied inside | StipplingSilicone is stippled on in a fine layer and excess is removed by stippling with a clean sponge. |
LaceThis fine lace is applied in strips to the back of the head to add support. A hole in top of the core is to allow an aluminium tube to slot in as an injection device for the silicone once the mould is closed around it. | AirbrushSilicone is airbrushed onto delicate areas on the core and in the mould onto the eye and mouth area so that all of the detail is picked up. | BoltingThe mould is carefully put together and bolted around the core in preparation. |
Part 3: Moulding the Prosthetic Sculpture
Silicone and Pigment | Syringe | Vacuum |
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Syringe | Pouring Silicone | Injecting contact holes |
Cap plastic | Removing mould | Seam repair |
Disguising seam | Naphtha + Silicone core | Application Prep + Ears |
Lip piece | Lip Application | Full makeup |
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