ALSO KNOWN AS LIFE CAST FIGURES
After over a dozen years as preparator at the New York State Museum, I have had the opportunity to create many life cast figures. Recently I was given the opportunity to teach a series of workshops showing these techniques. I started with making the body only and leaving lessons on the head and hands for the next sessions.
Many organizations, in a effort to save money, buy old mannequins and break them up and try to put them into natural poses. It never works and always looks awkward. You can see these figures in many places and they are obvious. To make a figure in a natural pose, you have to start with a natural pose and also a figure that isn't a size two, which many mannequins are. The figure above is one made for the Longhouse which contains 17 figures. Note the position of the hands holding the pipe and fire stick. This is what makes the difference in creating a figure that looks like someone who could walk up to you and start a conversation.