Dramatic Context
Georgia Brown
Face Casting | Practising Technique
Process:
Start by applying vaseline to your models hairline, brows and eyelashes- ensure the hair is covered otherwise it will stick to the alginate. Draw a pencil line around the face for where you want the alginate to sit. Then take two to two and a half cups of alginate and two cups of cold water depending on how thick you want the consistency to be. Start at the forehead and work your way down the face, making sure you get in the eye sockets and not missing areas. Once the face cast is dry start applying plaster bandage over the top in layers, avoiding the nose with the bandages until the dace cast comes off. The last layer of plaster bandage should be a ropelike shape from the top of the forehead and down to the tops of the ears. Once dried and hard then start to remove the cast- etching away at the edges with your fingers, communicate with your model.
Process Review:
The process itself wasnt technically difficult. However, The alginate was too thin and ran down the face. I initially felt anxious of the models breathing holes but they were covered last and the alginate had started curing- it didnt drip over the breathing holes, instead it became clumpy and had to be smoothed to contour the nose.
Problems Faced:
The model hadnt been lifecasted prior to this application and once the alginate began to set below her nose she panicked. In this situation the alginate could only be applied to the top half of her face. The model felt relaxed knowing her mouth was free for breathing and didnt mind having her nose covered.
Mark Alfreys | Prosthetic MakeUp For Beginners
Notes Taken relivent to 'Casting':
Alginate is applied around the edge of the cast and then over the face and neck. Brent Baker is doing the life cast who is one of the best lifecasters in industry. Clear silicone adhesive is used to glue down the bald cap (mixed with adhesive thinner) If false teeth are going to to be applied for the look then they need to be in the mouth during the casting process because they change the shape of the face.
Watch for any air bubbles around the eyes and watch the nose holes are free. Sodium carbonate monohydrate (bonding agent) scrubbed into the dry alginate- This will adhere the second layer of alginate to the first. Plaster doesnt stick to alginate but alginate will stick to plaster.
Expert Advice:
The head and neck need to be supported at the back with 7-8 layers of plaster bandage. Then work the alginate thoroughly into the eyebrows- the alginate wont stick to the eyebrows and doing this will prevent disfigurement on the stone/plaster sculpt. It will look as if there are no eyebrows.
Expert Advice:
When the second layer of alginate starts to thicken, pieces of cheese cloth are added to the surface. (pressed in). This provides a surface for the plaster bandages to grab ahold of.
Alfrey, M. (2004). Mark Alfreys Prosthetic MakeUp For Beginners. [DVD] Hollywood, California: Mark Alfrey.
MAKE-UP ARTIST. (2014). Make-Up Artist Magazine. Issue 110. U.S.: Michael Key. Pages 48 and 49.
How artists made a good impression before Alginate:
John Goodwin
Other materials: Negocoll: Imported from switzerland (Boiled down in water and when lukewarm may be painted over the face and hand). Rubbery consistence- can be removed in one piece.
Hominit: Pour up the positive casting, resinous reinforcing material called Celerit to make the supportive shell around the Negocoll.
Moulage: The material doesnt grab the hair or weigh it down like alginate. Beards, moustaches, eyebrows or a reference hairline are a lot easier with with moulage.
Plaster: Dries quickly and doesnt catch all of the micro surface detail, because the subject is moving slightly over a long period of time. Plaster can get very hot on the face, even creating first degree burns in cases. Advice: Avoid plaster.