Easily make a mold for all your sculpture artwork.
Most base sculpture pieces are made of clay because this art medium is pliable, inexpensive and easy to work with. Once you have created the clay sculpture, making a mold of it, so you can make reproductions, is easy. A key element in making an effective clay sculpture mold is dividing the sculpture correctly so that two rubber molds can be made of the base sculpture. Analyze the piece and think of the best way to make a two-piece mold of the sculpture that will easily peel off the finished reproduction without breaking the finished piece.
Instructions
1. Draw a line in pencil or marker around the middle of the profile of the clay sculpture. This is the dividing line for your mold. Think of how best to divide the sculpture so you can make a two-part rubber mold from it. Usually the best way is a center dividing line around the sculpture.
2. Spray a sealer on the clay sculpture and allow it to dry for a few hours. Once dry, spray the clay sculpture with mold release agent so the mold you make will come off easily without breaking the clay sculpture.
3. Place the thoroughly dry clay sculpture in a rectangular plastic box. This type of storage box can be purchased at WalMart, Target or similar store. Make sure the sculpture has plenty of room on the sides of the box. Take the clay sculpture out of the box.
4. Place a layer of fresh clay about 1 1/2 inch thick in the bottom of the box. Lay the clay sculpture horizontally in the clay and press down. You want the entire profile of the sculpture pressed into the clay up to your marked line. Cover the clay sculpture sides with clay until the entire bottom half of the sculpture profile is buried in fresh clay.
5. Mix liquid rubber according to the package instructions. Use the right amount of rubber compound and water specified on the package. Pour the rubber compound over the top half of the clay sculpture. Be sure it fully covers the top half of the clay sculpture. Allow it to dry overnight.
6. Pull up a corner of the rubber mold and gently pull it up from the clay sculpture. Brush out the mold to remove any clay debris. Remove the clay sculpture from the mold and remove the clay. Reshape the fresh clay and add water if necessary. If it is too dry you will need to use fresh clay and place it in the bottom of the plastic container again.
7. Spray the clay sculpture with mold release agent again to keep the clay and mold compound from sticking to it. Turn the clay sculpture over and press the other half of the sculpture into the clay. This is the half you already made a rubber mold of. Cover this half in clay up to the marked line.
8. Mix rubber mold compound according to the package directions. Pour the rubber mold compound over the exposed half of the sculpture and allow the compound to dry overnight. Lift a corner of the mold and gently release it from the sculpture. Brush out any clay debris from this half of the sculpture.
9. Join the two halves of the rubber mold together and tie a rubber cord or other pressured cord around the mold. Cut a hole in the top or bottom of the mold where the two parts meet with a utility or serrated knife. Make it just large enough to pour your plaster, resin or other mold making material through to make the final sculpted figure. Untie the mold and spray release agent inside before using.
