What you should know about facial casting

Doing a face casting is the most complicated technique in the art world. Artists also find it to be the most challenging aspect of casting life, far beyond making molds and casts of the torso, feet, hands, or other parts of the body.

The main problem in face casting is not the cast itself, but the process of making a mold of the model’s face. There are also inherent risks, as you cannot afford to damage the model in any way.

Here’s a look at some of the potential problem areas when making a face mold.

• Great care must be taken to ensure that each and every area of ​​the face is properly covered with the mold-making material (usually alginate and not clay, plaster or glass of water). Even a minor mistake or miss will show up clearly in the final molding of the face.

• While covering the face, care must be taken to avoid getting the material in the eyes. However, the contour of the eyes has to be replicated in the mould.

• Nor can you cover the nostrils as the model will not be able to breathe. Experienced lifecasters use a cotton swab to gently rub the alginate around the nostrils so they don’t miss any parts and yet don’t completely block the nose. Remember never to cover your nose with straws, as it can block the airway.

• The bridge of the nose is another problem area. Proceed carefully and ensure adequate coverage, especially where the side of each eye meets the nose. Here air pockets are more likely to develop which can create an unsatisfactory cast.

• You must carefully capture every detail, from skin texture to small blemishes, moles and pores on the skin.

• Remember to apply a suitable mold release (such as Vaseline) all over the face before applying the molding material. Otherwise, once the mold has set, it will tend to catch on the eyebrows, mustache, beard and even minute facial hair which can hurt the model.

• Also cover the model’s hair with a plastic cap to prevent unnecessary tangling and breakage.

• Once the mold is dry and removed from the model’s face, it should be cast quickly as the alginate will begin to shrink within a few hours.

The model has to remain exceptionally still throughout the application and setup process, otherwise you’ll have to do it all over again.

The challenge of face casting also makes it one of the most satisfying moments in casting life. Indeed, the pleasure derived from seeing a person’s facial features reproduced in all their splendor and preserved forever, after overcoming various risks, is unparalleled! And once you become an expert in face molds, making molds and casts out of clay, plaster, latex, polyurethane, silicone, and a glass of water will seem like a doddle.