Making a body mold and life cast is as rewarding as it is challenging. We have assembled a list of the materials required along with the relevant criteria to help ease the trouble of deciding what all to buy.

What can be more exhilarating than making a life casting? Working on the body of a live human being and capturing it in three-dimensional form is as challenging as it is exciting. And the results of even an amateur attempt will prove to be delightful, especially when the model beholds his/her body part in a realistic representation.

Let us take a look at the assorted types of materials required for making a body casting:

• Mold making material – As the mold is made from the human body, the mold making material has to be selected with utmost care. It should not harm or even cause a reaction when applied on the skin. Alginate is considered safe for the skin, but artists are advised to do a patch test before use. Special skin-safe silicone rubber is also available.
• Mold release – A release agent has to be applied on the skin to facilitate easy demolding without snagging in the hair. While petroleum jelly can suffice in a clinch, specially formulated hair release is also available. The same release agent can also be used to fill minute holes in the body mold.
• Plaster bandages – Both alginate and silicone molds cannot retain their shape on their own and can become unusable on many an occasion. They have to be reinforced with a shell mold. This is why the body mold is usually covered with plaster bandages that will form a rigid covering over the flexible mold inside.
• Casting material – Most life castings are made of plaster. The bright white finish looks appropriate for everything from hands and feet to face, abdomen, torso and more. Alternatively, some life casting artists even use resins mixed with cold casting powders to create a faux metal or stone life cast.
• Finishing –The life cast has to be smoothened with sandpaper before sealing and finishing with a suitable varnish. Plaster life casts can also be finished with paints or other finishes, if desired.
• Supplies – Needless to say, the life casting project will require the regular supplies and tools like mixing containers, spatula, mixer, measuring cups, demolding stick, detailing pin and more. When working with resins, a pressure pot will be needed to eliminate the air bubbles.
• Mounting – The finished life cast can be mounted on a base or hung on the wall with a wire.

Those who are new to life casting can also opt for the ready-to-use kits that contain everything required for making a body mold and life casting. There are different options for casting hands, feet, face, baby casting, front torso casting, maternity casting and more. Specialized preparations for making casts of parent and baby, praying hands, etc. are also available along with an instruction sheet to further simplify the use.