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Articulated Mask Making Part 3: Creating the Core Mold

Patrick Magee

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Learn to make the core mold for your articulated monster mask with Patrick Magee, creature effects artist and founder of Magee FX (Primal Rage, Men in Black 3, Jurassic Park III). In Part 3 of his course series, Magee creates the core mold from the negative face mold by laying in a skin-thickness layer of clay, applying a resin surface coat, reinforcing with fiberglass, and finishing the mold flange. He then demonstrates a quick silicone-and-plaster bandage snap mold for the mechanical core. The mask-making adventure continues!

Beginner Level
3h 29m of duration
English (auto), Spanish (auto)
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Curriculum

Materials

CLICK the links below to find the materials you need for this lesson. 

 

Some items might be harder to find, but a little internet scouring usually finds you everything you'll need.

 

FOR YOUR WORK STATION

  • Dust Mask or Respirator
  • Clay Cutting Board (Patrick Magee uses a DIY one)
  • Pre-made Silicone Keys (Patrick Magee uses DIY silicone straps cut in sizes)
  • Sculpting Wheel or Turntable
  • Tape Measure

FABRICS/FOAMS

  • Burlap
  • Fiberglass Mat
  • Gypsona® Bandages

CLAYS/PLASTERS

  • Plasteline Clay
  • Van Aken #1 Natural Protolina Non-Hardening Modeling Clay (Alternatives: Sculptex modeling clay or Klean Klay)
  • White Hydrocal Plaster
  • Optional: A Bag of Old Clay for Stabilizing the Head Sculpture

CLEAR COATS/RELEASES

  • Krylon 1303 Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Spray
  • Loctite Frekote LIFFT Mold Release 83551 Spray
  • REXCO PARTALL Paste #2 Wax (Patrick Magee uses the green colored version)
  • Vaseline

RESINS

  • Feather-Rite USC-21330 Autobody Filler (Bondo Resin)
  • Liquid Polyester Resin/Fiberglass Resin
  • Thickened Polyester Resin (Thickened with Cab-O-Sil - For how-to, watch Chapter 26 of Articulated Mask Making Part 2 with Patrick Magee)

CATALYSTS

  • Cream Hardener
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Norox MEKP-925 Peroxide

LATEX/SILICONE

  • Body Double™ SILK

THINNERS/SOLVENTS

  • 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Water (Room temperature)

BRUSHES

  • Chip Brushes

SCULPTING TOOLS

  • Cookie Roller (Patrick Magee uses a metal tube)
  • Kidney Tools
  • Large Clay Rakes
  • Large Loop Tool
  • Small Fine Looping Tool 
  • Smaller Sculpting Rakes
  • Spatulas

SPONGES

  • Fine-cell Foam Sponge
  • Triangle Makeup Sponges/Cosmetic Wedges

CUTTING TOOLS

  • Regular Scissors
  • Utility Knife

OTHER TOOLS

  • Angle Grinder
  • Cordless Drill with Drill Bits
  • Crowbar
  • Flathead Screwdrivers
  • Flex Power Tool
  • Hammer
  • Heat Gun

SUPPLIES

  • Buckets
  • Design Master Colortool Spray - 714 Holiday Red (For marking parts of the mold)
  • Disposable Nitrile Gloves
  • Duck Tape
  • Mixing Cups
  • Paint Sticks
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Shims (Spacers)
  • Popsicle Sticks
  • Sanding Paper (Heavy 60-grit and finer 150-grit)
  • Sharpie/Marker (For marking parts of the mold)
  • Utility Gloves

HEALTH/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working with toxic and/or dangerous materials or tools:

  • ALWAYS read labels for appropriate use guidelines
  • ALWAYS wear a high-grade respirator
  • ALWAYS work in a well-ventilated area
  • ALWAYS protect your skin
  • ALWAYS wear eye protection

Artist BiographyPatrick Magee

SPFX Character Creator & Founder of Magee FX
See Full Bio

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