I purchased and watched the DVD on casting the female torso. I have to say that I learned a lot from the video. I have been casting for a while and I was using a different technique. I do have one question. In doing the torso when it comes to adding the hydrocal, the first layer pours in but is to thin to curve up around the sides, and also makes the breast to heavy if you are doing a female with large breast. How do you accomplish this? I wish the video had shown very detailed instructions on how to do this. Can you explain or give me a few tips.
Also when you get the ends of the cast near the legs how do you keep the hydrocal from pouring out.
Thanks
James
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Basically plaster and hydrocal start to harden over a period of time(usually about 10-20 minutes). After you mix your material and pour it into the mold use a paint brush and brush the material from the center up to the top edges. Keep doing this all the way around the entire mold until the casting material starts hardening in the brush (about 10 min.). Wash out the brush in a bucket and continue moving the casting material up the sides with your hands or a rubber spatula until it stays in place on its own. If you want your casting thicker mix more right away and add it the same way. If you want the piece to hang from a wall later on this is a good time to add your hanger. You'll probably want to add some cloth or fibers to the second coat also to strengthen it.
Trim most of the excess from the casting as soon as possible as the longer you wait the more difficult it will be later. You can do the fine stuff later when it's out of the mold.
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To piggy-back on Randy's comments, you can also wait for the material to begin to thicken, then pick up the mold and roll it around allowing gravity to coat the sides. This leads to your second comment about the material running out of the ends. I have approached this from two angels. You can use other materials - cardboard, chicken wire and plaster, and so on - to build up the the "ends" on the mold so you are left with a container that will hold liquid. I have also built a jig out of 1/2" x 6" shelving that "squares" an upper body cast, with the neck, arms, and belly effectively blocked by the jig. I'd be happy to send you pics if you like.
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