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How To Cast a Body Part

Plaster casting dates back centuries. It is a quick way to make a likeness of an object or the human body. Plaster dries fast and can be decorated once it is cured Finished casts can be covered with mosaic tiles, painted or even used as a cast for latex props. Actors will sometimes cast their faces in order to add prosthetics, such as noses, in latex to alter their appearance.

When dry, plaster can be a brittle material and may have small holes where bubbles did not escape. It does not retain a tremendous amount of detail. However, it does not shrink, which allows artists to capture accurate representations of size and basic shapes of the object being cast.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucked of Clean Warm Water
  • Scissors
  • Pre-cut Strips of Impregnated Plaster Gauze
  • Petroleum Jelly
  • Plaster of Paris Powder
  • Large Mixing Bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Coat the body part you are casting with petroleum jelly so it can be released when you are finished.

    • 2

      Dip strips of plaster gauze one at a time into the warm water, run the wet strip through your fingers to release any extra water and layer the gauze over the body part you are casting.

    • 3

      Continue layering evenly over the body part until completely covered, at least four layers deep, and allow it to cure for up to ten minutes. It will become warm as it dries.

    • 4

      Gently cut a seam in the cured gauze with a pair of scissors as you wiggle the body part out, or in some cases, you can just lift the gauze off of the body part.

    • 5

      Add several more layers of gauze to stabilize the mold, filling in any gaps that light can pass through. If any seams were made, connect and cover them so they are not seen. When the mold is dry, coat the inside with petroleum jelly to ensure it releases.

    • 6

      Mix warm water into the Plaster of Paris with your fingers, breaking up any chunks. The plaster should be the consistency of pea soup. If it is too liquid, it will take longer to dry; if it is too thick, it may be chunky and have air bubbles.

    • 7

      Tap the mixed plaster on a table to help the air bubbles release. Pour the mixture into your mold until it is filled. Tap the filled mold once again to release any air bubbles. Let it cure up to 20 minutes.

    • 8

      Using a razor blade or scissors, gently cut the plaster gauze from the plaster positive.

    • 9

      Fill in holes or any parts that have chipped off with Plaster of Paris.

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