Live Casting/Face Casting 

The first step in wanting to achieve this character and ensure the prosthetics I had designed fit my model, was to live cast/create a face cast. This involved creating a replica of the model's face in plaster. 

To do so, firstly you need to ensure that you have a clear workspace and all of your equipment required. The tools you need are as follows:

• Two bowls of water
• Alginate 
• Plaster bandages (common brand is 'mod roc')
• Cotton Wool
• Cotton buds
• Vaseline
• Gloves

The first thing you want to do is cover your model's hair, you can do this by either using a bald cap or covering the head in cling film. It's important to ensure that all of the model's hair is covered, otherwise it could get caught in the alginate. You should also prep the eyebrows and eyelashes by covering them in Vaseline. This acts as a barrier for the facial hair and prevents it getting stuck in the alginate. 

It's important to work with two people, to ensure that the nostrils remain clear of any alginate, allowing the model to breathe. Once your model is prepped, you need to mix the alginate with the water until you have a smooth, thick, custard-like consistency. You then pour the alginate gently onto the model's head and allow it to run down (ensuring the nostrils are clear), then smooth it out ensuring you have a clean, even layer of alginate covering the entire face and forehead. 

You then, once the alginate has completely covered the face, need to apply cotton wool to ensure that the mod roc/plaster bandages has something to adhere to. 

You then apply the mod roc in small strips across the face (nostrils are still kept clear!) in 3 - 4 layers. 

Once is it set, you can release your model and you have then successfully created your mould! Once you have the mould, you need to fill in the nostrils and cover the nose with spare alginate/mod roc to ensure that nothing leaks and it is all airtight, then fill the mould with plaster. You mix the plaster powder with water until it is a similar consistency to that of custard, then fill your mould with the substance to create a cast of your model's face. 

Once the plaster has cooled and been allowed to set, you can then release your face cast and work on smoothing it out in case any bubbles had formed on the cast to ensure you have a smooth base to work from.