Making a two-part mold with Brush-a-Mold.

This past February, students from around the country attended our mold-making and casting workshop.  Students learned how to make one part, two-part, and  mother-molds with our silicone mold-making materials.  In addition, students learned how to cast with our urethane resins and create variety of simple finishes with dyes, metal coatings, and  powders.

A student applies Swell-Shell mothermold on a small sculpture to create a detailed mold for casting.

After applying Brush-a-Mold silicone mold making material on a plaster bust, Swell-Shell mothermold material is applied.

What an awesome group of students! They learned a lot in two days.

Special thanks to Association for Visual Arts and Chattanooga State Technical Community College for co-producing this great workshop!

If you are interested in attending future workshops, please be sure to email us [Email address: info #AT# townsendatelier.com - replace #AT# with @ ] and we will place you on our mailing list.

Sculptor Judith Britain was one of only seven artists selected to create a one-of-a-kind work of art for the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each artist was given a violin to incorporate into their final artwork. The works were then auctioned off at the annual gala benefitting the Symphony and Opera.

Britain used several Townsend Atelier products. To make the hands that support the violin, Britain used Brush-a-Mold to make a mold from her own hands. She then poured Townsend Casting Resin into the cured molds and painted the resin hands with acrylic paint.

As for the inspiration for her piece, Britain says, “Think of about the last movement of some of Beethoven’s symphonies–when the violins are playing away furiously. In my mind’s eye, I see them exploding with the music from the inside in a Crescendo.”

“Crescendo” by Judith Britain 32″ H, violin, mylar, wood, acrylic paste, resin.

To view more of Britain’s work, visit www.judybritain.com
To view a complete catalogue of all Townsend Atelier molding, casting + patina products, CLICK HERE

Townsend Atelier’s resident 7 year old artist (our son) made me the best Christmas present ever out of some of our molding and casting products! After he made his simple clay sculpture (by himself) a mold was made and was cast (with the help of his dad) into a permanent piece ready for mounting that looks just like solid bronze. Because a master mold was made, multiple editions can be cast and given to other family members. The sculpture is of our pet rabbit named Spinner.

1. First, the 7 year old artist sculpted his rabbit in ordinary clay. Any type of clay or even play-dough can be used EXCEPT sulfur based clays. The sulfur in the clay will not allow the silicone mold material to cure properly. Once he was happy with his clay sculpture, it was ready to be molded. The next steps were done by an adult.
2. Next, his dad applied several layers of Brush-a-Mold to the clay sculpture. It is not necessary to fire the clay or to let it dry before this process. Several layers of Brush-a-Mold are needed–it is recommended that at least a 1/4 inch thickness is achieved. For directions for Brush-a-Mold click here.
3. After the Brush-a-Mold was fully cured, the flexible mold was pulled off of the clay piece. The clay was wadded up to be re-used for another project.
4. Next, a generous dusting of bronze powder was put inside the mold. A small dry brush can be used to make sure that the powder adheres inside every nook and cranny. To see more instruction about bronze powder click here.
5. Townsend Casting Resin was mixed and poured into the mold and allowed to cure (about 16-20 minutes). Before fully cured, a threaded bolt was placed in the bottom so that a permanent device would be embedded for mounting the sculpture later.
6. When resin was fully cured, it was pulled out of the mold. The bronze powder that was dusted in the walls of the mold adhere permanently to the exterior of the sculpture and can be patina or buffed up with steel wool to make it shine like bronze.

De-molded sculpture with mounting device embedded in resin.

De-molded sculpture showing bottom with mounting device in white resin and bronze exterior.

We then drilled a hole in a pre-made wooden base (purchased at any hobby or hardware store), and screwed in the bolted sculpture.

The “real” Spinner checking out the sculpture.