Mouldmaking and casting course summary

A 5-day practical course designed for sculptors, model-makers, prop/puppet-makers or anyone wishing to model and reproduce small forms. It can cater both for beginners with little prior experience or those with specific professional aims. Led by David Neat in Deptford, London SE8

Next courses in 2020  …

Due to the continuing situation I’ve had to postpone all my studio courses until the future becomes more ‘foreseeable’. I’ve consulted what the other larger course providers in London (such as University of the Arts and City Lit) are guaranteeing in terms of safety and, the fact is, I can’t provide the same .. my studio room is not big enough for ‘1metre+’ distancing for example, whatever other precautions are taken. In short, it’s still too risky!

I’m working on a live-online version of my ‘Model-making Techniques Course’ for which I send participants a ‘Materials and Resources’ package by post. Unfortunately the numbers and amounts of materials necessary for the ‘Mouldmaking and casting’ course as it was makes that impractical! So I don’t know when I’ll be resuming the course again, just that I will .. sometime!  In the meantime, and if you need help, please see the page attached to this one entitled Special ‘consultation’ sessions

Here are the former ‘Mouldmaking and casting’ course details, for reference and for when it returns:

Participants are asked to bring some small objects for casting with them, fully 3D for 2-part mouldmaking and also simpler one-sided forms (or anyone who prefers can use objects from my own stock of examples). Independent projects may also be accommodated after discussion in advance if they involve the same, or similar, scheduled materials and processes ..i.e. it may be difficult to give them that much separate attention.

We begin by looking at the various mouldmaking options and preparing the 3D objects, culminating later in making both hollow and solid castings. The practical emphasis of the course is on mouldmaking using a standard, general-purpose silicone rubber and then casting in a few of the most commonly used materials .. principally polyurethane resin, casting plaster and polymer-modified plaster ( aka.‘Jesmonite’ ).

We will also look at other mouldmaking materials such as re-meltable Vinamold; liquid latex; life-casting alginate and so-called ‘Oogoo’.

By the third day the moulds are ready to start casting in different materials, including the addition of colourants and fillers, or press-casting in Sculpey and Polymorph. We will also be considering metallic ‘cold casting’ with polyester resin and absorption casting using latex or clay slip. Finally attention is given to methods of painting or patination.

The course is full-time, Monday to Friday, starting at 10.00 and finishing at 5.30 each day. The cost per person is £400 and all practical materials (and a full instructional CD) are included.

For photos and more see the archived post Modelling, mouldmaking and casting course February 8 2012. Please bear in mind though that I am continually developing the course so some aspects have changed since 2012 .. also see further in the drop-down menu attached to this ‘summary’ for a more detailed  up-to-date course description and ‘reviews’ listing what people have said about their experience over the past 10 years

For anything else contact me at davneat@aol.com