Page 158 - Casting of Angels- Dave Parvin

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New of you readers who just might be getting with no release agent. (Photo #2.) The
life form set up to the point that it
a little long in the tooth, I will use the
could not be spread in about two
abbreviation for generic FCSSPCTSR
and Life Form when referring to this minutes. I left it on my arm for about
five minutes to be certain that it was
new FCSSPCTSR in particular.)
Product, Alginate and FCSSPCTSR each has its well cured. While I do not have
especially hairy arms, I had just done
advantages and disadvantages. Alginate
is less expensive and easier to apply.
FCSSPCTSR is much stronger and this experiment with another
FCSSPCTSR, the removal of which
Life produces a mold that can be used over even with a release agent was very
uncomfortable. I am confident that if I
and over again. (For a more
information, see “How to Cast a
would have come off with the rubber
Dancers Foot For Fun and Profit,” had removed it quickly, all the hairs
Form DP.) I confess that I am an alginate man say again amazingly, the Life form
as if having been waxed. Amazingly, I
Sculpture Journal, January 2005, by
came off with barely a tug on the
through and through. I am a registered
member of the Alginate Party and hairs. Since Todd is somewhat more
By David E. Parvin, A.L.I. always vote right down party lines. hairy than I (not necessarily a sign
FCSSPCTSRs have a particular greater masculinity), We spread some
I get excited about any new disadvantage that has limited my use in Life Form on his arm as well with the
product that promises to be an the past, a disadvantage that Life Form same results.
improvement. Dave’s Law #11 on my has, to my amazement, eliminated. Before proceeding to a more thorough
studio wall is, “There is almost always The disadvantage that every other test, I emailed Justin with four
a better way.” Or as fellow contributor FCSSPCTSR that I had used in the past suggestions. First, make the two
to Sculpture Journal, rubber expert, is that they all stick tenaciously to hair. components different colors so that
and good friend Mike Sisbarro points Hair isn’t much of a problem for one can easily tell when they are
out, “If I have been doing something alginate. (See “Techniques For Life thoroughly mixed. Second, slow the
the same way for a long time, I’m Casting Hair,” Sculpture Journal, July setting time slightly because two
probably doing it wrong because 2006, by DP.) In my opinion, using minutes isn’t much time to mix and
someone has likely come up with a FCSSPCTSR on any parts of the body apply. Third, thin it down a little so
better way.” Recently I got really requires that the victim shave all hair that it’s easier to apply without
excited! Another good friend, Todd off or cover the hair with a barrier such capturing bubbles on the surface
Debreceni, who is an expert in as a skull cap or a thick layer of touching the skin yet still thick
makeup and special effects both releasing agent. There are a number of enough to stay in place. And four, find
professionally and academically, releasing agents made for this purpose, a US distributor. Justin replied that all
recently returned from an but I have found that if applied in a four of my suggestions were already
international conference in London sufficient quantity to be effective, the in the works. It’s always a comfort to
with something that sounded too good skin texture is lost. So when Todd know how great minds think alike...
to be true, a new fast curing skin safe Debreceni told me that Life Form
platinum cured thixotropic silicone doesn’t stick to hair, though my socks
rubber called Life Form. So what started rolling up and down, I didn’t
about Life Form is so important and believe him.
that if Julie Andrews had been Unfortunately, Life Form is a British
present, we would have substituted product and not available in the U.S.
“fastcuringskinsafeplatinumcuredsilic yet. Fortunately, I have met its
onerubberLifeForm” for distributor, Justin Neill, and was even a
“supercalifraglisticexpealidoscious” guest in his home a few years ago. I
and danced around singing? Before I emailed him and arranged for a sample.
explain, let me digress. (See contact information at the end of
The two most used life casting this article.) Not to worry,Justin is in Photo 1
materials are, of course, alginate and the process of setting up a US
fast curing skin safe platinum cured distributor.
thixotropic silicone rubber. (At my Life Form consists of two
age I have to make every second components, Part A and Part B, which
count since I am running out of are use in equal amounts. Both A and B
seconds. A nine word name no matter are thick, rather like putty. They are the
how descriptive, just is too long. If I same blue color and have no odor.
have to type it out over and over Photo #1 shows 10 grams of each in a
again, I just might be around to plastic up. Notice that the components
finishing this article. So in order to have no tendency to run. I mixed them
save time both for myself and for any together and spread them on my arm Photo 2
1