Correcting Lifecasts - Neill Gorton

Creating character prosthetics in silicone - preparing and moulding the lifecast

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This is how the lifecast looked straight after it had come out - it has a lot of bumps, air bubbles and problems all around the face.

- Where the hairline can be seen (in pen from the bald cap) drill holes so after head is smoothed down you still know where it is

- Use a large surfen tool to get rid of the biggest lumps and bumps on the back of the head

- Begin to use a smaller surfen tool where there is more detail that needs to be kept

- Use a metal spatular tool to get rid of any bubbles of plaster on the face

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- Get rid of any facial hair by shaving it away and smoothing over that

- Measure the cast against the models head to check if all the proportions are right or if anything else needs to be taken off

- Begin to sandpaper to get rid of the tool scrape marks - wet the cast slightly first so sandpaper doesn't get clogged up.

- Then use a wet sponge/cloth to get a final smooth appearance.

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This section of the DVD was very useful to me for cleaning up my lifecasts after I've done them. As I'm still new at lifecasting they will be more likely to come out with air bubbles and problems and these techniques let me know how to correct these mistakes so I have a perfect base to sculpt on top of.