Modroc

I had a sculpture workshop in which we where experimenting with using modroc to cover 3D forms. I wanted to modroc faces. The only issue I had modrocing faces is that if your model moves the movement may create air bubbles between their face and the negative mold. These air bubbles then became nod-gels on the positive mold that I made from the negative mold. I wanted to use these molds to make masks in my studio time.

To make the masks I first thought about using card or clay. However I have decided to go back to basics and use paper mache.

To stop the mask from sticking to the mold I put a sheet of cling film between them. The only problem with this was that it kept moving on the mold. I asked around to see if anyone had any ideas. One of my peers suggested using Vaseline to stop the cling film from moving, while still being easy to remove. This worked so well that I used it for the other masks I made with paper mache.

The next problem I encountered was strength. The tissue paper I was using just did not dry hard enough. Its layers were too fine and flexible. I experimented with different types of paper to find what was pliable enough to not loose the shape of the mold but strong enough when dry. I eventually settled on good old fashioned bog roll. This could be molded and glued together easily and quickly, it also was fairly easy to paint over the finished product.