HOW TO MAKE A COMPLEX MOLD for Sculpture - Hydrostone / Plaster Mother Mold, Handmade Mould

In this in-depth video I discuss prepping the sculpture for how to make a complex mold through adding a backboard, considering final fit to the clock project and applying a Krylon crystal clear finish. This video covers mixing & applying the hydrostone, fiber glass precautions, wait times, shimming and tips for a more successful mold. This video is 2 of 2 for the mold making process. The silicone application is covered in part 1 of 2. See link below.
I’ve decided to take on this project I considered years ago. However, I want to add a sculptural element to the top of my clock. I have been inspired by the Dream Lady sculpture at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. I will cover the basics of incorporating the sculpture into the clock design, Simplicity, by Clayton Boyer. I’m breaking this series into 4 videos. Part 1: concept/design and armature design. Part 2: clay and modeling. Part 3: casting the sculpture and cutting out the gears. Part 4: finish and assembly. Thanks for coming along!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS TOO!!
HOW TO MAKE A COMPLEX MOLD PT.1 of 2 Silicone and Hydrostone / Plaster, Handmade Mould
• HOW TO MAKE A COMPLEX ...
HOW TO MAKE A SCULPTURAL CLOCK series (pt.3)
• HOW TO MAKE A SCULPTUR...
Follow me on Instagram @jonburnsfineart for more fun in my studio.
CLAYTON BOYER CLOCK DESIGNS: (non-Amazon)
lisaboyer.com/
These links will redirect you to Amazon.com.
BOOKS - technical
Edouard Lanteri - Modelling and Sculpting the Human Form
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Stephen Rogers Peck - Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist
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John H. Vanderpoel - The Human Figure
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George B. Bridgman - Bridgman’s Life Drawing
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BOOKS - self improvement
Neville - The Power of Awareness (also includes Awakened Imagination)
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Florence Scovel Shinn - The Writings of (includes biography)
The Game of Life & How to Play It / Your Word is Your Wand / The Power of the Spoken Word / The Secret Door to Success
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SCULPTING MATERIALS & SUPPLIES
CraftWrap - Plaster Cloth Gauze Bandage for Scenery, Crafts, Mask Art, Models, Molds, Keepsake Belly Cast - Each Roll 4 inch x 15 feet (Single Roll)
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1 Oz. Fiberglass Chopped Strand Mat - 3 Yards X 50" Wide for Hand Layup, Vacuum Bagging or Molding Composites with Epoxy, Polyester or Vinyl Ester Resins
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Carriage Bolts ¼” x 20 SS, U-Turn, INC. (50 count)
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Autobody Panel & Trim Removal Tools (for demolding/separating your mother mold)
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Steel Hex Bolt, Grade 5, Zinc Plated Finish, Hex Head, External Hex Drive, Meets ASME B18.2.1/SAE J429, 1-1/4" Length, Fully Threaded, 1/4"-20 UNC Threads, Imported (Pack of 100)
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60 Pack 1/4" Wing Nuts Zinc Plated Fasteners Parts 1/4"-20 Inches Butterfly Nut
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AES Industries 294-1 Replacement 2-1/2" x 1-5/8" Curved Surform Blade (6 Blades)
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Stanley Hand Tools 21-115 7-1/4 in. Surform Shaver
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JB Weld 8277 Waterweld
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Chavant NSP Medium - Sulfur FREE, 2lb Professional Clay (Green)
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Alja-Safe Life Casting Alginate 3lbs (by Smooth-On)
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Smooth-On Mold Max 30 (Trial Kit, pink color)
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Smooth-On Rebound 25 2lbs (Trial Kit, orange color)
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Smooth-On THI-VEX
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Krylon Acrylic Spray Crystal Clear 11oz.
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Premium Baltic Birch Plywood 6mm (1/4”) 12” x 24” by Wood-Ever
(I give Woodever two thumbs up for quality birch ply)
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Titebond Original Wood Glue, 16 oz.
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Dental Tools / Waxing Modelling Tools
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Sandpaper Variety Pack 24pcs, 12 grits: 120 - 3,000 grit
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STUDIO / HEAVY EQUIPMENT
DREMEL Drill (with ROTARY flex shaft & assortment of wheels) a very good deal
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Drill Press, WEN 4212 10” Variable Speed
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Scroll Saw, WEN 3921 16” 2-direction Variable Speed
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WEN 3960 2.8-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw
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WEN 6502T 4.3-Amp 4 x 36 in. Belt and 6 in. Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base
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Makita RT0701CX7 1-1/4 HP Compact Router Kit
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Titanium Drill Bit Set, DEWALT 21pc (DW1342)
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Music through KZbin Studio
Doctor Momentum - Slynk
Santorini 2 - Vibe Mountain
Timelapsed Tides - Asher Fulero
Thank you for being you
#moldmaking #moldmaker #mold #art #siliconemolds #sculpture #cncmachining #mouldmaking #silicone #dprinting #molds #plasticinjectionmolding #tooling #resin #siliconemold #resinart #injectionmolding #machinist #handmade #resinmolds #molding #design #machineshop #plastics #instamachinist #engineering #moldmakingandcasting #cnc #resincasting #bhfyp

[@stephenfenech1263]

Great work and advice, thanks a lot for sharing

[@Colettahavelkova]

Thank You so much for this video! Really helpful!🙏🏻✨

[@Bashlearn]

Done well, thanks for sharing your work

[@beastlybombers]

Love it. Keep up the great work.

[@esraaelgamal7059]

Thank you so much☺️. I really hope to see more videos in your channel.

[@jimlad01]

That's a really well made mold. Thanks very much for sharing Jon.

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

You're welcome Jim. I just released a new video titled Light Weight Mother Molds. It's an improvement upon the last videos. 👇 -Jon kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWStonysrbuaeas

[@dorssjalali3736]

Quite helpful thanks

[@FoodNerds]

This is really cool stuff. You are incredibly talented!

[@laytontucker2877]

A tip : you can watch series on Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@davidkenzo1965]

@Layton Tucker yea, I've been watching on Flixzone for years myself :)

[@mickeywells2523]

Instead of Vaseline I use lard. I also use masking tape on the dividers. Good job.

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

I like to say there's 101 ways to make a mold. Thanks for sharing your techniques and contributing to the conversation.

[@user-ir5xg1mj5l]

Can I also use fibreglass material as the mother mould for silicone?.

[@dyoder614]

How do you salvage your clay after demolding with the Crystal Clear on top? I've never heard of doing this and I'm intrigued, but I also want to be able to reuse my clay for more sculpts.

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

I just use the old clay like normal. It doesn't really have an impact after I work the clay with my fingers. But it makes a wonderful surface for molding beforehand.

[@talagold6102]

Hello, excellent Excuse me, what is the material behind the mold?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

There's fiberglass soaked in hydrostone gypsum plaster. And then there's the orange silicone inner jacket made from Mold Max 25 by Sooth-On.

[@ChristianBang34]

Sweet :) would this be possible with tin-silicone? Normally I use jesmonite instead of plaster. I am also wondering about you seam lines, as you put those on after 24 hours- doesn't the first layer of silicone have to be sticky in order for the seamline to adhere? :)

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Thank you for the compliment! And yes, tin silicone will work too. The thing about silicone is that it continues to stabilize at a decreasing rate over time. It will behave as one the closer the applications are together. I would not expect favorable results a week between layers BUT a day or two should be fine in most cases. Just keep it away from greasy hands and debris in the meantime. Thanks for watching! Your questions are most welcome 🙂

[@ChristianBang34]

@@JonBurnsFineArt Thanks for the answer! :) I also liked your detail about making a zipper with the knife. I have myself bought a moldkey-knife , but have yet to test it. Keep up the good work

[@user-ir5xg1mj5l]

Can I use silicone mould for fibreglass casting?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Make sure you use mold release on the fiberglass before making a silicone mold over it. Silicone sticks to silicone.

[@horker]

If you'd forgive my ignorance, could you cast clay in this mold? If so, how would it dry?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Casting would not be the correct term. While the mold is open, clay slabs could be potentially pressed into the mold cavity on both halves. After it has dried somewhat, close to leather hard, the edges cleaned up, scored and the two halves joined together with some slip. To better understand this process, youtube videos on "press molding". Of course the hanging leg is another issue that would be approached the same way. Unfortunately silicone does not allow the necessary air flow to dry from its surface and slip casting is entirely impossible. I spent time dealing with this during my graduate studies. Good luck!

[@horker]

Thank you for the quick reply and helpful info!

[@kukumei4624]

Please post videos of casting also (using this mold)

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

You can count on it! I'll cover some casting pointers and then show how I cast hydrostone in a mold using this one in particular. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCTq3SXftF-jpo

[@donnahalsted7718]

Jon, I am wondering how the air escapes from those projections such as feet and legs. Does the rotation allow for air not to bubble in the toes..? Also, does hydrostone take longer to set up before unmolding than FGR, or Forton, which I think results in a stronger cast. I'm really grateful for these videos. I have learned a lot of finer points from you. Blessings.

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

@@donnahalsted7718 Hi Donna. Here we go. The rotation really helps keep the liquid moving over traditionally problematic areas where air gets trapped. As that area moves downward the air moves up and liquid replaces it. Of course some areas can be extra finicky. But I also try dividing the silicone over the fingers and toes where I believe the mold will go back together easily. These partition lines, believe it or not, actually allow a little more air-bleeding which results in flashing (the stuff we chip off later). As far as hydrostone setting time, I can get about 45-60 if I keep it moving. But that's also with a 7 minute presoak before mixing. If I let it sit idle, it can set in 25-30 minutes. I usually use cooler to cold water. Hope this helps.

[@donnahalsted7718]

@@JonBurnsFineArt Yes, thank you, Jon.

[@Ron_DeForest]

Had to subscribe to get you off of 666 subscribers. It so happens I like your content so it’s a two fer. I’m Canadian. We speak weird. Lol

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Thanks Ron! 😆 And I have a lot of respect for our Canadian neighbors. I can always spot you guys when I hear the word, "about." 😀 In which Province or Territory do you reside?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

I was just thinking, someone probably subscribed to hit that previous number. 🤔

[@zeemmuag2843]

How much do you charge me to cast a statue in plaster about a feet tall?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

I don't offer that service.

[@arthardware5560]

so are you actually using plaster, or is it hydrostone?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Hydrostone.

[@arthardware5560]

@@JonBurnsFineArt -OK, I thought so since you were going so thin. do you always use that tighter weave fiberglass fabric or do you use mat or mesh sometimes? I most often use poly-fibers mixed into the Hydro-stone, but i haven't used it with fiberglass any thoughts? It's great that you are posting these videos and awesome that you respond to questions. thanks

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Either will work BUT the mat is superior to the cloth. I don't use poly fibers. There's something to the vibrational quality of fiberglass. I've used the mat fiberglass enough that I'm almost immune to the itching between my fingers and arms. Disposable gloves are very handy while you get used to it. I want to add that plaster bandages as a first layer help the hydrostone from runny off so quickly. There's too much to say here but you'll develop your method.

[@arthardware5560]

@@JonBurnsFineArt Clarify what you mean about the vibrational quality of fiberglass?, and are you saying you use regular plaster cloth and hydro-stone together? does that create any de-lamination issues?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

When I refer to the vibrational quality, I'm referring to it's physical properties. I've dropped molds made this way from table height and they are resistant to gravitational impact. The mat seems to absorb the impact leaving the mold with only a chip or so. Never the whole thing being ruined. I have not had any issues with hydrostone "delaminating" from plaster. Just apply layers while it's still initially wet/damp. Otherwise soak the dry, cured plaster so the next layer sticks well. Again, make a test sample and see for yourself what I mean. Jump right in.

[@td5680]

Too much hustle. Is there any material that can just dissolve the sculpture inside so you can pour it out?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

And how would the next casting come out? If you're making a waste mold for a one-off, then a plaster waste mold is what you want. Silicone molds are for multiple castings. It's no hassle for long term goals.

[@td5680]

@@JonBurnsFineArt maybe shore 00 silicone can do the trick?

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

Some people use Smooth-On's 00M00-30 silicone for waste molds. Is that what you mean?

[@pegadinhasmelhores5759]

good but video is not a complete result

[@user-ir5xg1mj5l]

Can I also use fibreglass material as the mother mould for silicone?.

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

You can use fiberglass in your mother mold over the silicone jacket. I do it every time.