Thread: Gravedigger sculpture

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Hey everyone. This is a early progression shot of what I hope to become a new prop. Once I quit on the sculpt, I'll cover him in plaster to make a 1/2 head mold. The plan is to cast the mold in latex, then foam fill that and build from there. He started as a zombie, but I'm learning to just let things evolve. He looks more like a gravedigger to me, so that's what I'm calling him as of now. He could be a zombie with the right paint-up I suppose. He's under life sized for learning's sake. About 10" top to bottom.
I'm new to sculpting and mold making so I've got my fingers crossed that it reaches completion. If you blow it on the mold, you don't get a second chance as the sculpt is ruined in the process. I'm loving working in clay though. Thanks for looking, I'll up date as I go.

Looks good, please keep me posted. I always wanted to do this.

That's very cool. Wish I had that kind of talent. I'm ok with mechanical things not so good with the idea and artistic end of it though.

That looks terrific. For somebody new to sculpting your either a quick learner or a natural. I'm thinking he could also be a greeter or gate keeper.

Looks good, are you using water based clay? Are you going to one piece mold it? and are you using ultracal 30 or something else?
How many half mask molds have you made?
Just curious i dont mean to grill you lol.

Originally Posted by Allen H

Looks good, are you using water based clay? Are you going to one piece mold it? and are you using ultracal 30 or something else?
How many half mask molds have you made?
Just curious i dont mean to grill you lol.

Allen- Waterbased clay, I'll probably use plaster of paris with some burlap ater a few layers...No Ultracal on hand and I'm not gonna wait since the waterbase likes to harden even when you keep it damp. When I go larger, absolutely.

Yeah, a one piece mold... this is my first plaster mold.

No problem about the questions...fire away. Thats what its all about.

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Beacon-- (Me too!)
Frankenfrog-- Ive been drawing and painting people for a long time, I'm positive that it helps.
Nochevys-- Im just the opposite, pretty limited with engineering, but workin on it.

I'll probably use plaster of paris with some burlap ater a few layers.
****I highly recommend waiting until you get ultra-cal.Im sure you can find someone who carries it near you. You will think mold making is much harder than it is because you are using an inferior product.

.No Ultracal on hand and I'm not gonna wait since the waterbase likes to harden even when you keep it damp. When I go larger, absolutely.
***If you just cover the sculpt with a moist/wet towel and then a plastic bag it can keep for a long time, I kept a sculpt workable for two months i(t molded before it dried out)


Yeah, a one piece mold... this is my first plaster mold.
****I did a you tube video series on making a one piece plaster mold, mine happened to be me sculpting and molding a brain, but the theory is the same, same shape your just has a nose and eyes.
This is part one the sculpting but you can get to them all from here.
Good luck with it and dont be discouraged if it dosent work out, especially if you use plaster of paris, thats like nailing together a house using dried spagetti possible but difficult.
YouTube - brain sculpt part 1.wmv

Love his expression...really gives him personality. I feel the same way about sculpting. It's super cool and surprisingly relaxing.

Allen H., great video! Neat idea to use the water gun to make 'brain ropes'.

Terra-- Thanks for your comment! Id like to see your sculpture sometime.

Allen-- I can get ultracal later. I had it under a towel in a bag too, just wasnt sure how long I could wait. Im familiar with the basic processes, just starting to make time to do it. I dont get discouraged easily, been airbrushing for a long time which can be frustrating to say the least. (Screen Printing as well). I watched some of your videos..You have a down and dirty approach to production it seems. Very interesting stuff...thanks.

Yeah Im pretty down and dirty, I dont have a movie back ground, Ive only done haunts. So im all about less time and lower budget. There are plenty folks who can sculpt better or make prettier molds but few can do it as fast or cheap. Im not sure if thats good or not, but thats how I am.