Basics of Casting Sculpture

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Get ready to cast

So you've got your molds ready now it's time to cast some sculpture. This lens is all about how to cast your sculptures using a variety of materials, polymer clay, plaster, resin, porcelain, and more.

Mold Making 

You need a mold to cast from, this lens tells you how.

Materials 

There are many materials out there to cast sculpture in. I can't begin to cover all of them and some like bronze casting really aren't suitable for doing in a home studio.


Casting Materials Covered in this Lens:

Polymer Clay - A man-made modeling compound composed mainly of PVC resin, plasticiser, and pigments as well as other fillers including mica.

Plaster - Quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine white powder, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry.

Concrete - A hard, strong construction material consisting of sand, conglomerate gravel, pebbles, broken stone, or slag in a mortar or cement matrix.

Resin -

Porcelain and Other Clay Slip - Clay slip is made by adding water to clay to form a thick liquid.

Casting Books 

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Polymer Clay Casting 

Using Push Molds

Most casting is done using liquids that harden in the mold. Polymer clay is the exception. Soft polymer clay is pressed into a mold, usually of plaster or firm rubber, and then removed and baked to cure.

Note: There is some controversy in the polymer clay world about using push molds for sculpture. If you use one (especially if it is a purchased mold not one you created yourself) you should disclose the fact that you used a mold.

Polymer clay is generally a safe material to use however you should not use any dishes or utensils for food after being used for polymer clay and never exceed the recommended baking temperature.

Polymer Clay Cast Links 

Polymer Clay FAQ | Using Molds
How to mold and sculpt polymer clay
Customer art gallery, how to use a polymer clay push mold, art doll face cab projects.
Customer art gallery: How to use a polymer clay push mold. How can I make my own art doll face cabs using paperclay, UTEE, PMC or other craft materials? Make clay pendants and sell your jewelry made with my craft supplies. Project ideas!
Handmade Polymer Clay mold
There is lot of fun using clay mold, many project can be created from these molds, such as embellishment to decorative your handmade greeting card, Gift tag, Gift Box, Scrapbook page, Jewelry, beads, Altered Books or anything you can thinking of to use with. You may make a few finished pieces from m

Polymer Clay Videos 


Polymer Clay TV Episode # 9 Creating with Molds

Runtime: 5:47
4030 views
5 Comments:


Face Push Molds

Runtime: 6:42
20045 views
10 Comments:


How to Fill a Fairy Doll Push Mold

Runtime: 5:10
18076 views
10 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Plaster and Concrete Casting 

Plaster and concrete have been around for millennia, the ancient Greeks and Romans used it for building. In the past plaster and concrete castings were made using molds of the same material that had to be broken to remove the casting, now flexible molds made of latex, silicone, or urethane rubbers are used for their durability.

Caution: Dry plaster and concrete can irritate the respiratory system so it should be used in a well ventilated area with safety glasses and dust mask/respirator. Curing plaster and concrete generates heat and can get hot enough to cause burns.

Links on Casting in Plaster and Concrete 

Online Art Magazine - How to: Plaster Casting from a Latex Mold
How to: Plaster Casting from a Latex Mold
How I create a Gargoyle
Tutorial by Tamara Dozier on sculpting, molding and then casting in plaster a gargoyle.
Pouring the Models
Plaster Master work from home series on casting in plaster.
Concrete Casting Essentials
Tutorial from Smooth-On
Eliminating Surface Voids in Concrete
Smooth-On - How To

Videos on Casting in Plaster and Concrete 


Easy Plaster Casting Project

Runtime: 5:23
4516 views
4 Comments:


Concrete Casting

Runtime: 4:28
21593 views
2 Comments:


concrete sphers casting

Runtime: 8:10
6258 views
3 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Concrete Casting Books 

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Resin Casting 

Plastic resin is a very new material. It typically comes in two parts mixed by either volume or weight (make sure you know which or the resin will not sure). Those mixed by volume are the easiest to work with since those mixed by weight require a very accurate scale to mix it properly.

Caution: Resins are toxic, use only in a well ventilated area with safety glasses and rubber gloves. Seek medical attention if resin comes in contact with eyes or mouth.

Links on Resin Casting 

Dan Perez Studios - Molding and Casting Tutorial
One of the questions I'm most often asked is "how can I mold and cast my sculptures to make model kits?" I've created a step by step tutorial to show you how. This isn't a complete guide, but it should be enough to get you started.
Starship Modeler - Resin Casting Primer
Jack Wendt discusses resin casting..
Casting using plastic & resin
Hirst Arts Casting Page

Resin Casting Videos 


Casting Resin Tutorial

Runtime: 3:14
64547 views
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Casting Resin and Liquid Plastic

Runtime: 1:15
40259 views
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Casting Resin

Runtime: 9:40
18713 views
10 Comments:


pouring resin into molds

Runtime: 2:34
5236 views
5 Comments:


PU Resin Casting

Runtime: 1:21
8786 views
4 Comments:


PU Resin Casting 2

Runtime: 3:26
9972 views
2 Comments:


Mold Making, Casting: Glitters and Powders - Smooth-On

Runtime: 9:30
20354 views
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DE MOLDING

Runtime: 0:51
2075 views
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Cast embedments in Clear Resin

Runtime: 7:19
68173 views
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curated content from YouTube

Build Your Own Roto-Caster Video 

For casting hollow resin figures.

DIY Roto-molding machine

This is an at-home roto-molding machine I whipped up in about 3 hours one night. To build one like it you will need: -About 20 dollars worth of Fisher Price Construx from ebay -A drill (DeWalt's fit nicely, but anything should work) -A few wood screws to hold down the Construx -A piece of scrap wood For my casting material I like using Alumilite and Polytek resins, they are both REALLY easy to work with and fairly cheap. Any RTV resin should work well as long as it has a short set time.

Runtime: 5:36
77550 views
10 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Slip Casting 

Slip casting is a casting method where liquid clay slip is poured into a plaster mold and allowed to partially dry (firm but still pliable) in the mold before removing. In hollow casting excess slip is poured off after a firmer layer has formed in the mold.

Links on Slip Casting 

Slip Casting
Basic Slip Casting by Richard Burkett
Casting Your Miniature Doll Molds
This tutorial will provide you with step by step instructions on the use of your miniature doll mold. 

Slip Casting Books 

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Pen a Message 

BuffaloKid wrote...

Well done! I need to try more of this.

ReplyPosted January 30, 2009

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by Noadi

Hi! I'm Sheryl, a sculptor and jewelry designer, I create in polymer clay and mixed media, please visit Noadi's Art to see my work.

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