Experienced mold makers and casting artists generally follow a
systematic procedure when making their art works. They decide on the
model and plan how to go about the project well in advance. All the
required materials, tools and supplies are assembled beforehand.
Beginners too keep items like drop cloth, gloves, containers, measuring cups, brushes, rasps, mixer and at times, even the name plates engraved ready. Fillers, plaster bandages, paints and makeup supplies are also waiting.
However, when it comes to purchasing products like alginate, plaster, latex rubber, silicone rubber, cold casting powder, polyurethane resin, appropriate release agent and so on, many novice artists often draw a blank. They may have decided to make the mold from clay or use silicone casting rubber for making the cast, but what has them flummoxed is the actual quantities that will be required for the project!
Guesswork will just not do here. Underestimating can cause you to fall short during the molding making or casting process. At times, there may not be enough time to go out and purchase replacements and the incomplete work may even have to be thrown away. On the other hand, buying too much (to avoid potential shortfall) can cause extra material to go waste which proves quite costly.
How to judge?
Veteran artists eliminate the guesswork by using varied techniques to estimate the amount of material that will be needed for making the molds or casts. They are aware that the quantity does not depend only on the size of the model to be mold or cast or even the box that will be used to contain the model. The kind of undercuts on the model, its complexity and even configuration are some of the variables that directly influence how much material will be used.
The amount of material also varies with the type of mold making or casting material being used, type of mold and the method of making the mold or cast. For instance, blanket molds require much less mold making material when compared to block molds. Similarly, if you are making a latex mask by pouring liquid latex rubber, the quantity of material will directly depend on the size and capacity of the hollow mold as it has to be filled to the brim. However, you can plan to make multiple masks as the liquid latex is poured back into the container after some time and is reusable.
Artists generally estimate the amount of material needed by volume or weight. Volume measurement is comparatively easier as all you have to do is place the model in the mold box and fill it with water. The amount of water used indicates the volume of material required. Weight measurements are slightly trickier - you can use the mathematical formula to convert the volume into its corresponding weight.
Do not fret as your estimation will improve with practice and you too will be able to precisely judge the amount of material required for any project!
Beginners too keep items like drop cloth, gloves, containers, measuring cups, brushes, rasps, mixer and at times, even the name plates engraved ready. Fillers, plaster bandages, paints and makeup supplies are also waiting.
However, when it comes to purchasing products like alginate, plaster, latex rubber, silicone rubber, cold casting powder, polyurethane resin, appropriate release agent and so on, many novice artists often draw a blank. They may have decided to make the mold from clay or use silicone casting rubber for making the cast, but what has them flummoxed is the actual quantities that will be required for the project!
Guesswork will just not do here. Underestimating can cause you to fall short during the molding making or casting process. At times, there may not be enough time to go out and purchase replacements and the incomplete work may even have to be thrown away. On the other hand, buying too much (to avoid potential shortfall) can cause extra material to go waste which proves quite costly.
How to judge?
Veteran artists eliminate the guesswork by using varied techniques to estimate the amount of material that will be needed for making the molds or casts. They are aware that the quantity does not depend only on the size of the model to be mold or cast or even the box that will be used to contain the model. The kind of undercuts on the model, its complexity and even configuration are some of the variables that directly influence how much material will be used.
The amount of material also varies with the type of mold making or casting material being used, type of mold and the method of making the mold or cast. For instance, blanket molds require much less mold making material when compared to block molds. Similarly, if you are making a latex mask by pouring liquid latex rubber, the quantity of material will directly depend on the size and capacity of the hollow mold as it has to be filled to the brim. However, you can plan to make multiple masks as the liquid latex is poured back into the container after some time and is reusable.
Artists generally estimate the amount of material needed by volume or weight. Volume measurement is comparatively easier as all you have to do is place the model in the mold box and fill it with water. The amount of water used indicates the volume of material required. Weight measurements are slightly trickier - you can use the mathematical formula to convert the volume into its corresponding weight.
Do not fret as your estimation will improve with practice and you too will be able to precisely judge the amount of material required for any project!
