The clay I use, "KleanKlay", is petroleum based, does not dry out, and can be reused after moldmaking. Here a previous sculpture, "Blessed William Joseph Chaminade" is being dismantled to recycle the clay and amature (interior skeletal support).
The basic armatures are ready for the clay. On the wall are notes to self and various drawings for sculptures past and present.
While blocking in the forms, it is a constant struggle for me to not get involved in detail. A sculpture needs to be understood first as a form in space. Note the large tools.
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St. Joseph and the Christ Child are beginning to take shape.
Clay work in progress.
Finished clay.
Finished clay.
Plastic coated playing cards are used to make shims (mold dividers). The first coats of silicone are painted on.
Mary's hand is removed for ease in mold making and casting.
For these molds I used Platsil 71-20 RTV Silicone Rubber. A one-to-one ratio of pink and blue makes a purple mold that is both strong and flexible.
After the silicone mold is made, it is necessary to make a rigid "mother" mold to support the flexible silicone.
For the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph and the Christ Child, I used hydocal with hemp. When I made the Corpus of Christ, I chose to make a fiber glass mother mold. Although more expensive, making the fiber glass was much quicker and a bit less messy.
The molds are removed from the clay and cleaned in preparation for casting.
The silicone mold is placed inside the mother mold and Forton MG95 is painted inside silicone until an even coat of about 1/4" is made. Fiber glass is added to final coats.
