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

1. Title & Introduction - 58s

2. Tools & Materials - 5min

3. Removing the Clay Wall and Headform from the Mold - 13min

4. Removing Clay from the Negative Face Mold - 27min

5. Cleaning the Flange and Touchpoints of the Negative Face Mold - 9min

6. Planning the Clay Lay-up to Create the Core Mold - 6min

7. How to Lay Clay in the Negative Mold - 29min

8. Sealing & Releasing the Clay and Waxing the Flange & Touchpoints - 11min

9. Surface Coating with the Polyester & Bondo Resin "Milkshake" Mixture - 10min

10. Laying Fiberglass for the Core Mold - 13min

11. Cutting, Sanding and Adding Bolt Holes to the Mold Flange - 8min

12. How to Open the Fiberglass Mold - 13min

13. Cleaning the Core Mold - 7min

14. Creating a Quick Snap Mold for the Mechanical Mask - 16min

15. Adding Plaster Bandages to Reinforce the Snap Mold - 23min

16. Opening & Cleaning the Snap Mold - 19min

17. Wrap Up - 32s

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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Articulated Mask Making Part 3: Creating the Core Mold

Patrick Magee