Nan Smith on sun 27 jun 99
Dear Christine:
The plaster book by Chaney and Skee and the book by Frith each have their
virtues. The illustrations on undercuts in the Chaney and Skee book are very
good. (The book you are ordering). There are chapters on two piece molds and
on multiple piece molds. They explain that each major planar change in the
form you are casting indicates the necessity for a new piece. The pull of
the plaster off of the form runs perpendicular to the axis of the form
(shown in the illustrations of proper and improper methods for sectioning
the human head in Chaney and Skee).
I often wish there was a simple way to section a mold for the human figure.
In the complex human form, when the sculpture possesses gesture, it is
necessary to create what I call a three dimensional puzzle, the multiple
piece mold using plaster. In this case I use latex for my mold. As you know
you can work with fewer sections. I then press clay into the latex.
It would be necessary to see the pose of the figure if not the original
sculpture in person, to determine the sections. Speaking generally you most
likely would have sections in the following areas: the front and back of the
head (going around the ears or eliminating the ears), the front and back of
the torso, two pieces for each arm, legs, and feet. If you find the height
of the curve on each part of the form that I noted, you will be able to
determine the place to section. You can draw on the bisque piece with pencil
to clearly see your line. The line will not be straight it will contour
parallel to the major axis an describe the height of the curve. Please
realize this is a very simplified description to help get you started.
If you are casting in bronze the investment mold is usually wasted. This
means that the mold is cast over the original form and the form in removed
from the mold by chiselling the mold away from the metal casting. Thus a
mold does not need to be sectioned. For information on this type of mold
look up bronze casting and mold making for sculpture. There are books
specifically on this topic which contain methods and recipes. If you are
casting in bronze at a university or school or at a local foundry they will
have info. Some foundries make the molds as well as cast the object.
Hope it all goes well. The sculpture sounds very interesting. If you are
interested in some excellent and provocative figure sculpture of children
you might want to research the recent work of New York artist Judy Fox.
Nan Smith
University of Florida
nan@ufl.edu
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 13:24:04 EDT
From: Christine Laginess
Subject: Re: Slump molds
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Nan
if you are out there. You were wonderful at nceca! Just one question....How
do you determine where to place your dividers when you are molding an entire
body shape. I did a sculpture of an infant sitting down and holding out her
hands. I would like to do her in bronze. She is already bisque.... But I
can't begin to figure out where to place the dividers. I looked in the book
by firth, but it was to vague for this topic... I have ordered the other
book you recommend, Plaster Mold and Model making. Will this be more
detailed. Please Help. If anyone knows Nan Smiths email; address I would
appreciate it. Thanks. If anyone else understands this process, please feel
free to pipe in. Christine Laginess
Nan Smith, Professor
Area Coordinator Ceramics Program
School of Art and Art History
302 FAC
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611
E:mail nan@ufl.edu
Office: (352)392-0201, Extension #218
FAX: (352) 392-8453
Website: http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~nan/
Nan Smith on sun 27 jun 99
Dear Christine:
The plaster book by Chaney and Skee and the book by Frith each have their
virtues. The illustrations on undercuts in the Chaney and Skee book are very
good. (The book you are ordering). There are chapters on two piece molds and
on multiple piece molds. They explain that each major planar change in the
form you are casting indicates the necessity for a new piece. The pull of
the plaster off of the form runs perpendicular to the axis of the form
(shown in the illustrations of proper and improper methods for sectioning
the human head in Chaney and Skee).
I often wish there was a simple way to section a mold for the human figure.
In the complex human form, when the sculpture possesses gesture, it is
necessary to create what I call a three dimensional puzzle, the multiple
piece mold using plaster. In this case I use latex for my mold. As you know
you can work with fewer sections. I then press clay into the latex.
It would be necessary to see the pose of the figure if not the original
sculpture in person, to determine the sections. Speaking generally you most
likely would have sections in the following areas: the front and back of the
head (going around the ears or eliminating the ears), the front and back of
the torso, two pieces for each arm, legs, and feet. If you find the height
of the curve on each part of the form that I noted, you will be able to
determine the place to section. You can draw on the bisque piece with pencil
to clearly see your line. The line will not be straight it will contour
parallel to the major axis an describe the height of the curve. Please
realize this is a very simplified description to help get you started.
If you are casting in bronze the investment mold is usually wasted. This
means that the mold is cast over the original form and the form in removed
from the mold by chiselling the mold away from the metal casting. Thus a
mold does not need to be sectioned. For information on this type of mold
look up bronze casting and mold making for sculpture. There are books
specifically on this topic which contain methods and recipes. If you are
casting in bronze at a university or school or at a local foundry they will
have info. Some foundries make the molds as well as cast the object.
Hope it all goes well. The sculpture sounds very interesting. If you are
interested in some excellent and provocative figure sculpture of children
you might want to research the recent work of New York artist Judy Fox.
Nan Smith
University of Florida
nan@ufl.edu
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 13:24:04 EDT
From: Christine Laginess
Subject: Re: Slump molds
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Nan
if you are out there. You were wonderful at nceca! Just one question....How
do you determine where to place your dividers when you are molding an entire
body shape. I did a sculpture of an infant sitting down and holding out her
hands. I would like to do her in bronze. She is already bisque.... But I
can't begin to figure out where to place the dividers. I looked in the book
by firth, but it was to vague for this topic... I have ordered the other
book you recommend, Plaster Mold and Model making. Will this be more
detailed. Please Help. If anyone knows Nan Smiths email; address I would
appreciate it. Thanks. If anyone else understands this process, please feel
free to pipe in. Christine Laginess
Nan Smith, Professor
Area Coordinator Ceramics Program
School of Art and Art History
302 FAC
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611
E:mail nan@ufl.edu
Office: (352)392-0201, Extension #218
FAX: (352) 392-8453
Website: http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~nan/
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