Introduction: Plaster Face Cast
I wanted a cast of my face: a 3D positive, as closely resembling my real face as possible. I considered using 123D Catch to model my face and then print it out on our fancy 3D printers. But that's needlessly expensive and inaccessible (except for 123D Catch, which you should look up if you haven't heard of it). This method is messy and fun, and can be done in your home.
So I got some materials online, a (mostly) willing volunteer, and some helpers, and we set about things.
I got a lot of help from this instructable, but we modified the process enough that I think it deserves its own step-by-step.
Why did I want a cast of my face? It will all be explained in time. But rest assured, I have further plans for it.
Step 1: Materials
You will need:
plastercloth (it comes in rolls- get a couple of rolls)
alginate* (a 1lb jar of dermagel is plenty for casting a face or two)
plaster powder (I used something like three cups per face? I didn't really measure.)
^
the above things can be bought at Douglas and Sturgess online.
Vaseline
water
a mixing vessel- I used a biggish yogurt cup (see pictures later)
scissors you don't care too much about
a cardboard box or sheet of cardboard
ideally, a box-cutting knife (for cutting the cardboard)
old newspapers
a shirt you don't mind ruining (to wear while getting your face cast)
straws
a couple of bowls for water
*A note on the alginate: I've plaster cast my face and those of others before, but I always just used plastercloth with some Vaseline on the eyebrows. So why use alginate? Two good reasons. Firstly, the internet now warns me that people have lost bits of themselves to plaster molding themselves- plaster heats as it sets, and can get quite warm. It can burn you right to pieces, apparently. I think this is more of an issue if you're pouring mounds of plaster on something that if you're just using plastercloth, but good to keep in mind. The second reason is more important to me: you get wonderful detail with the alginate. Plastercloth is going to make you a mask that fits nicely to your face. Alginate is going to give you a mold that really looks like you.
Step 2: Prepare Workspace
Lay out newspapers all over the floor. A sacrificial pillow is nice, though not necessary. Cover that with newspaper too.
Pre-cut some strips of plastercloth.
Put some water in bowls so that you'll be prepared when it's plastering time.
Step 3: Cut Cardboard Splash Guard
This is the real technique innovation: a cardboard splash guard. This way, the cast-ee doesn't get too messy. This also helps to keep the alginate on the face when you're applying it.
Basically, cut a hole in the shape of your face. This will define the edge of your mask. Start by cutting your hole too small, then work it out bigger and bigger until you fit in snugly and are satisfied.
I highly recommend leaving a cardboard bib to cover your body.
In the pictures, I struggle to size my face guard. Kiteman demonstrates proper guard-wearing technique.
Step 4: Prepare Subject
Have your castee put on the sacrificial shirt, and place the splash guard firmly over their face.
Have them lie down on the prepared newspaper surface. Make sure they're comfortable; they'll be there a while.
Put Vaseline on any hairy bits: eyebrows, eyelashes, beard if that's an issue for you.
Also put Vaseline around the edges of the cardboard, to seal it.
Put straws in their mouth (and possibly their nostrils, as demonstrated by Conker-X). The straws are for breathing, so make sure they will be comfortable breathing ONLY through the straws.
Step 5: Mix & Apply Alginate
Put some water in your mixing vessel. Add alginate powder. Mix it up with your hand.
You should mix it to the approximate thickness of porridge. Or, that's what Kiteman and Conker-X said. I'm American, so I went for a Malt-O-Meal type of consistency, or a little thinner.
Try pouring some on your subject's face. If it drips right off, it's too thin. If it globs up, it's too thick.
Carefully pour and glop the mixture onto the subject's face. Advise the subject to be calm and breathe deeply through the straws. There is a bit of a panic response when your nose and mouth are both covered, and it can be instinctive to inhale through your nose. Don't do that! Be calm. DO NOT ACCIDENTALLY POUR ALGINATE INTO THE STRAWS.
Since the alginate is a bit runny, it will tend to gloop down off of the face, particularly the nose. Just push it right back onto the face where it needs to go.
It sets pretty fast.
Step 6: Apply Plaster
You don't have to wait for the alginate to dry to move on to the next step: plastercloth.
This part is really easy. Just take your cut strips of plaster, dip them in the bowls of water, and apply them to the face.
The point of this is to provide a rigid form for the alginate once it comes off of your face. My plaster-face was pretty thick; from the inside, it felt like I had about an inch of stuff on my face. This was probably more plaster than was strictly necessary.
Step 7: Let It Harden
Chill out, give it 20-30 minutes. Take a nap. Or don't; it might be scary to wake up inside that thing, and you might forget you're supposed to breathe through straws.
Step 8: Alternate Methods 1: Squash Your Face
We used Conker-X as a guinea pig, before we figured out the splash guard and how alginate should be used. So unfortunately, his alginate mold didn't turn out too well. And we were out of plastercloth. But we already had a plaster in the shape of his face, so we thought of a couple of ways to use it:
- Stick breathing straws through the plaster
- Carefully fill plaster with alginate, avoiding straws
- Put straws in mouth
- Squish face down into alginate
- Hold it until it hardens
Step 9: Alternate Methods 2: Pour-down
- Put splash guard on subject
- Put plaster mask on subject
- Duct tape effusively (subject can take a break during this step), leaving a hole at the top
- Put contraption on face
- Pour alginate into hole at top (subject may need to leave some space between face and plaster)
Step 10: Remove Face
Once your mask feels pretty dry, you can lift it off of your face. Lift from the cardboard, but support the alginate face; it's liable to flop out.
Assuming the plaster is reasonably firm, you can flip the piece over and let the plaster support the alginate.
Step 11: Set Up Face for Plastering
The cardboard should peel away from the plaster and alginate.
Carefully set up your mold somewhere contained and supportive, e.g. on crumpled paper in a box. It should be as bowl-like as possible in order to hold the plaster.
Step 12: Mix & Pour Plaster
Mix up some plaster the same way you mixed up the alginate. If there are directions that come with, follow them. Otherwise, I mixed mine to a nice creamy texture. I used a full yogurt-container's worth of plaster to fill my face.
Step 13: Let It Sit
Put it somewhere out of the way to let it harden. I don't know how long it takes, but I didn't come back for a couple of days.
Step 14: De-mold and Touch Up
When you're sure the plaster is hard, carefully peel away the mold.
Look, a face emerges!
There are probably a few weird bumps. For touch-ups, a file and some sharp chisels would be nice. Barring that, I used a flathead screwdriver, a rough file, and a small hex key to get into the cracks. Worked okay.
Step 15: Compare
Looks like me!

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28 Comments
Question 3 years ago
Fascinating. IF time is not an issue and breathing a concern (pfft breathing), then why not do two casts? One from the mustache line up to the forehead. Then let it harden, remove, then drill nostrils. Re-attach mask to subject then do the bottom half the face. this might produce a more natural look instead of the whole "aaah, cold goo on my face! I can't breath! What happens if it the straw collapses?!"
8 years ago on Introduction
cool
9 years ago on Introduction
Please do try to avoid straws if applying this technique to another person again. Straws are not much liked by many special effects/prosthetic make-up artists. If using straws the model may feel they need them to breathe and may cause them to panic should they fall out, another problem is if you accidentally knock them they can cause discomfort.
Props to the advice on the use of plaster - we try to avoid even the smallest amount of plaster making contact with the skin to avoid irritation.
I have cast a face as a lead make-up artist within a team in a professional environment at college (Extended Diploma), I have also taken the other various roles on other occasions having taken the role involving looking after the model twice.
Reply 9 years ago
What do you use in place of straws?
Reply 9 years ago
We use nothing in place of straws. We work very carefully to make sure the airway is clear at all times.
As students we worked in teams: Model Support was in charge of making sure nothing got in the way of the nostrils, clearing away anything that got too close with cotton buds (carefully so as to not poke the model up the nose). We established a set of codes for the model which could be used if she/he felt discomfort. If she/he had a problem with a breathing we had her/him raise a pointed finger on the hand corresponding to the left and/or right nostril (left hand for left nostril, right for right). Other groups used different codes. During the entire process up until the alginate with modroc was removed we had frequent check-ups: we asked how the model was feeling. We had a code which he/she could use at any time to establish 'OK', 'nervous' or 'not coping at all and I want it off immediately'. They were simple hand signals of which the team and the model had a mutual understanding. Model Support was to be with the model at all times making contact (something comfortable previously negotiated with the model) even if other members of the team had to be busy with other duties. When the cast is removed the model has his/her eyes shielded by model support having been forewarned his/her eyes may have become more sensitive to light. The model calls the shots - he/she decides where his/her eyes are ready. Reducing the light slightly in the immediate environment is reasonable.
Not everyone does it the same way as described above, things can be changed around. Some more experienced make-up artists work alone. I have a video here of Stuart Bray (he has worked on Doctor Who, Shaun of the Dead, Stardust, The Mummy Returns and others) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NyF5bKlkT0
I believe he is working alone here. He starts on the nose first so it is set before he moves on. He has a Youtube channel. If you're interested in this area I would seriously recommend him. He offers an email course for free via his website and personally I find him a joy to watch, I cannot say if you would find him the same. Oh, he also has a blog and is contactable through youtube and his website.
If I were working alone I would mix up a small batch of alginate to a paste consistency and work very carefully around the nose first, following Stuart's method simply because I am a beginner in comparison.
9 years ago on Introduction
What's a good substitute for alginate?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I have seen Silicone used as well but this is quite an expense.
10 years ago on Introduction
To make the removal of the casting easier, after inserting the straws for breathing, spray the face with PAM or some other cooking oil. I think just a light coating would be enough.
10 years ago on Introduction
lol at what is written on the box in step 9: Essuie tout.
That means whipe, (as in clean) eveything :)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I think it was a paper towel box. :P
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
:)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
:)
10 years ago on Introduction
Well done!
Even though as an art teacher, I appreciate the face mask, I wouldn't do with a class of students, but then again I teach middle school/ pre-teenagers and this would be..messy and panic stricken with drama to say the least. BUT casting an arm or hand or foot is much the same process without the fear factor about breathing.
I'm giving this a 5 stars.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yes, casting a hand is a great idea! In fact, this is a common use of alginate, and you don't have to deal with the plastercloth. If you do this with a class full of kids, I'd recommend getting them each a small bucket (like my yogurt container) that can fit their hands, then filling each one most of the way with alginate. Then they can just stick their hands in, wait for it to harden, and withdraw. And after that it's all set up for plaster pouring!
As far as ratings, you go to the sidebar where you see the stars, and click on the number of stars you want to give. Thanks, and glad you liked it!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
BTW- how does one rate this? I can give five stars, but I don't know how to do this in reality. Sad to say.
10 years ago on Introduction
I've wanted to make a mask, but I do'nt own any hi-tech equipment, so this is very welcome. I have trouble breathing through my nose, is there a quick-get-out if the poser gets into trouble? or could there be a way to use papier mache or something to press one's face into and make the impression that way?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
The way I did it, you don't breathe through your nose at all; I put the straws in my mouth. Wherever you put the straws is where you'll be breathing.
If you do panic, it's pretty easy to get off. Just sit up. Most of it will fall off, and you can wipe away the rest with your hands.
If it seems like a long time under the mask, I think the papier mache + a layer of alginate would work, though I haven't actually tried it (see Step 9).
Hope this helps!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks, dear! that's good to know. lol maybe I'll report back on the papier mache angle!
10 years ago on Step 5
Your alginate really looks too thin. And we always mixed water to powder so it's easier to control the amount of water. When you do the mixing with hand you can sense easier when it feels right.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Hi there,
Thanks. We did end up thickening the alginate significantly; my pictures include some too-runny and some too-thick as well as the right level of mixed alginate.