How to make a Latex Mask with a 2 part mold

I made a full head latex mask of the predator using a 2 part plaster mold, this method is used to provide excellent detail. and a reusable mold.

Step 1: What you need

You will need the following things
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a Polystyrene head (ebay)

10kg NewPlast modeling clay, this is a clay that is reusable like plasticine

20-25kg Crystacal R Plaster (this is a hard plaster, much harder than plaster of paris, do not use plaster of paris for this its too soft)

Jute Scrim (burlap)

Hot Glue Gun

Vasline

Large Marbles or other round objects to make the key points.

1-2 litres of Liquid Latex

100ml Latex Thickener.

Talcum powder (Talc)

Plumbers Epoxy Putty (for mold repairs)

HouseHold Ammonia

Acrylic Paints

AirBrush

AirBrush Propellant or compressor.

Artists Paint Brushes.

Washing Up Liquid.

Tubs to mix paint in and store it for a short time.

Sheet Metal pieces

Dental Pick

Depending on the mask your doing you may also need some foam, i found buying a cheap yoga mat to chop up works well, i used this to fill the dreadlocks.

Comments

[loanshark]

Holy crap this is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[n1cod3mus]

thanks no problem, I would have released the new mold photos but its been a bit hectic for me as i just bought a house and lost my job :-(

[Mermaid716]

I've got to tell you this is absolutley incredible! How you did everything, all the steps. You're amazing and I think you missed your calling.
Wierd question, since I don't think I'd ever be able to make this will you make any more and sell the mask?
Thanks

[n1cod3mus]

Hi there, sorry for the delay, yes i will be making them and selling a limited number of them, i have one of these left with out dreadlocks but its painted, it is the last one as i have destroyed the mold using a hammer, which was really hard to do.

But i have since made a new mold, i haven't tested it out yet but it will be slightly larger than this one, and have a little more detail.

well i say i haven't tested it out, i tried a different method of making the mask by filling the mold with latex, but this failed even with trying to seal the mold, it just leaked out. I was documenting the process again to put on here but I may have to return to painting the latex in to the mold.

I'll PM you about them.

[Mermaid716]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the reply. Can you send me a pix of the new mask?
I think I might just go with the other without the dreads cause that's a little high in US dollars, plus shipping. Thanks though and I look forward to the pix. You are very talented!

[LouisCorelli]

Sorry if this is a silly question, I'm new to this. After you had made the mould with the plaster could you use the mould to create a bust that you could airbrush? And if so what material would your pour in the mould to make the bust? Thankyou so much by the way, you explain the process in a way that's far easier to some of the other tutorials out there.

[n1cod3mus]

i would make a latex copy of the mask using the mold, take it out of the mold and use something like A B foam

to be honest this is a lot of hassle and you would be better off just buying a polystyrene head off ebay, plus if you put anything that isnt rubbery in the mold its likely to stay in the mold.

thanks, i tried to make it as easy to understand as possible, and took as my pics as i could with my plaster covered hands at the time lol

[Zergling_pack]

A couple of questions, but first amazing work!
First, what would the total cost be roughly, of course.
Second, in step 11 the wrinkles around the mouth they don't look painted on how did you do them? If they are painted, wow that is some amazing painting.
Third, how would you make the mouth look wet?
Fourth, is the mask hard or rubbery like the masks you buy at a store?
Lastly, if it is too large for the person's head would you just add foam pieces on the inside of the mask?

Sorry for all the questions I just would really hate to mess up expecally if doing this costs a lot. Thanks for your time as well.

[n1cod3mus]

1) well the plaster cost me about £30 for 25kg and the latex is about £20 for 5 litres, plus acrylic paints at £3 a pot, and some ammonia at £3, if your using canned Air for Airbrushing it cost about £9 a can and i used up 4, then bought a compressor for later projects.

2) the wrinkles i cut in to the sculpt before i made the mold

3) you could need to spray the mouth with something glossy, you could use PVA glue but this would crack up if that area go squished

4) the mask is rubbery like the ones you buy

5) if you put a slit up the back and find it is too big you could always put velcro on it and over lap the back to pull it in

[Zergling_pack]

Well that isn't as much as I thought it would be. Thank you for the quick reply and information!

[n1cod3mus]

No worrys, You can buy most of the materials from tomps.com or claymansupplies.co.uk

I get my latex from tomps as i know its good quality they also do the crystacal R as well but sometimes its cheaper to get it from clayman

[ferry_vue]

Amazing work! do you specialize in costume design and special effects? Cause this is a great tutorial.

[n1cod3mus]

I've made a few of these from the same mold now and sold them on ebay

[n1cod3mus]

thanks, I dont do it professionally but personally, i just enjoy doing projects properly so i did a load of research and figured out the best way to do it and documented it so others could follow my foot steps or improve on them.

the key is not to scrimp on materials.

[djimdy]

This is the most worthwhile advice. It's so frustrating to try to save a few bucks, only to lose all that sweat equity when the project falls apart at the end.

[superant10000]

This is a great instructable and an amazing product.
It shows that you put a lot of effort into this, nice one!

[n1cod3mus]

thanks appreciate the nice comments, yes there was a fair bit of effort for this one yes, and i will have to do it again due to the shrinkage as this one doesn't fit me unfortunately.

i will be doing another instructable soon on how to make the body for it, i have to admit this will be helped out by a fellow instructable member who did an awesome werewolf costume but he was so excited about making it he forgot to document it so i will document mine when i do it.

so don't forget to subscribe ;-)

[Dream Dragon]

A really nicely documented project. Can you put a number on the "shrinkage"? 2%, 5%, 10%, could be useful to know.

[n1cod3mus]

its hard to say really, maybe 10%

[Clayton H.]

Any pictures of it on your head? I think it looks kinda weird without eyes. Like your staring into a black hole and it's just sucking you into it .
Anyway, Great Project!

[n1cod3mus]

Tis done my friend, on the last step, i didnt put it up before because i have a fat head hehe and it doesnt fit me as well as it should, which is why i mention making your sculpt larger than you need it as you will experience shrinking.

[Cyberscann54]

it dont fit you hmmm you should have made a mold of your own head rather than buying a head on ebay

[n1cod3mus]

to make a mold of my own head i would need help for one, and 2 i would need Alganate and Plaster bandages.

I dont have any of those, so i made the best of what i had at the time, now i know, and you do too, that you will get some shrinkage.