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Jack Ragusin Portfolio
Mold MAKING
This page showcases the molds I have made for my masks/ props. Most molds are made using Pottery Plaster #1 or Ultracal 30. Some molds being silicone block molds for smaller resin casted projects. Click images to enlarge.
Palmer The Thing 1982 Mold: This is the 2-part Ultracal 30 mold. Sculpt done in monster clay and sculpted on a Monster Makers Ed Head. Allowed for an easy clay peel out. 2 parts, I molded the back first and made a mold wall with keys. After the backside was completed, I added more clay to create keys/ pry points to ensure an easier release when taking the two halves apart. Before applying the final layer, I coated the edge of the back half of the mold with a clay slurry mixture to help prevent any accidental spillage of ultracal to stick to the existing back part of the mold. I prefer a clay slurry over using Vaseline, I have found it to be less of a mess. Layers of burlap were applied between coats to strengthen the mold. After the mold was completed, latex casts were made!
Count Orlok Nosferatu Mask Mold: Another 2-part mask mold I made, sometimes I switch from round keys to rectangular keys. No reason, I like to switch it up every here and there.
The Witch: The first mold I made. A simple half mask mold reinforced with layers of burlap sheets in between coats of plaster. A green spray was used on this one to help out and create a clean peel out. For my first it worked out very well.
Regan The Exorcist: Another half mask mold. I did a simple clay mold wall around the original sculpt to give me more of a desired thickness and it makes the edges a lot stronger when handling it. Sprayed this one in blue, peeled out clean with only a little extra cleanup to do afterwards. Still gave me clean latex casts.
The Thing Resin Logo/Silicone Mold: Logo completely hand carved out of two different types of foam, pink insulation foam and white EVA foam for the letters. The logo was traced on with a stencil, and I cut out the pieces with a hot wire. Once I finished the foam logo, I created a silicone box mold with foam core and placed the object inside. Pouring a 2-part silicone mixture on top of it and letting it cure. I then poured in resin that I tinted a blue color and casted resin logos out of it that is later used for a mask display stand.
Severed Jaw Mold: Small 2-3 hour sculpt and mold. Sculpted in Monster Clay, provided a quick and easy peel out.
Haunted Ghoul Mask Mold: 2-part mask mold, not the cleanest but one of the first 2-part molds I ever made and learned a lot from it.
Joe Spinell Maniac Mold: Another half mask mold, did not spray my sculpt with any sprays or mold release as a test and it still came out fairly clean. Lots of clean casts from this one.
Mr. Nightmare Mold: Earlier mold, sprayed this one in white to test, never again. Luckily it still gave me some great casts!
Art the Clown Mask Mold: No spray on this one, peeled out perfectly, light cleaning. Latex dwelling (right).
Assortment of Molds: The molds of three different sculpts, images taken before completely cleaned out.
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