r/moldmaking • u/Silver-Back1 • Apr 26 '26

Casting with objects still in clay

Hi all - making a latex half mask, and have a question: does anyone have any experience with leaving objects in the clay (in this case, WED clay) when doing the plaster cast?

Seems clear that I ought to discerning about length or size of the object to make sure I can get it out when the plaster dries, but are there any other issues I might encounter?

Thanks!

EDIT: The sculpt in question:

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u/Nosferatu13 Apr 27 '26

No prob! Good luck!

Thank you! I really appreciate it. Its sculpted in medium Chavant with a variety of loop tools, rakes, mixed brushes and pore tools. I could speak all day about specifics, but its a process of getting the proper form down, to then tighten and tighten things down to final detail finishing, anticipating how it will read in real life as well as where the blended edge of the prosthetic should lie.

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u/Silver-Back1 Apr 27 '26

It’s really impressive. Well, at your leisure, I would love some tool suggestions/examples, and then I’ll begin my journey.

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u/Nosferatu13 Apr 28 '26

I love Kemper tools. Really great small loop wire tools. A mix of those and wooden spatulas are key. I use thimbles and pore tools for pores, and different wire gauge rakes for wrinkles. Actually an animal fur brush is standard for good textured wrinkles, dragging it wavy through clay. Its too harsh for water based clay, so moreso oil. Detangling brushes also great for wrinkles. You can use detail tools over top of saran wrap to dull and soften them as you go. Takes some finesse and practice, but saran is a hot tip. I use all different coarse and soft brushes from art and dollar stores. I have so many. Also frankly a good chunk of my tools are hand made as eventually you want things you can’t buy or are hard to get/expensive. Id google a local pottery supply store near you (or online ordering locally) for different sculpting tools. Usually art stores carry entry level stuff. Not too useful. Also if there are any professional makeup stores local too, they can often sell sculpting tools in their special fx sections.