A figure base with that certain extra!
They worked on a figure for hours and now they want to present it accordingly. Normally, an interesting and exclusive wooden base comes into play! Nice… but somehow a bit boring in the long run! As a creative model maker, you are always looking for new ideas. During a visit to the dentist I had to have a bite print made … and thus came into contact with the material Alginate for the first time! Alginate is a moulding compound for single use. It is simply mixed with water and hardens within a few minutes! The shape is extremely precise and even gives the finest details. A short search on the internet and already the stuff was ordered.
![Alginate](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Alginat.jpg)
The powdery molding compound can be obtained in different containers. Since I had other ideas in my head, I immediately bought myself a 3kg bucket. By the way, the taste is completely irrelevant (you can choose between strawberry or mint flavor) – because I didn’t want to reproduce my dent again! I had two hands holding a figure.
The creation of the shape is quite simple:
One looks for a suitable large vessel for the shape and mixes sufficient material according to the instructions for use! Mix well and leave to work for a few seconds.
![Instruction-01](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Anweisung-01.jpg)
Then simply sink your hand into the mass. It feels quite pleasant … if you don’t have to think about visiting the dentist again …! After a few minutes, you can see how the mass hardens. If the hand can be easily “triggered”, it can be pulled out carefully.
![Instruction-02](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Anweisung-02.jpg)
In principle, it is now possible to fill the mould with plaster or a ceramic mass.
![Instruction-03](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Anweisung-03.jpg)
When this is tied off, the alginate is carefully peeled from the casting.
![Instruction-04](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Anweisung-04.jpg)
The small “unevennesses” can be easily concealed and repaired with filler. The plaster can be easily sanded and machined.
![Hand_01](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Hand_01.jpg)
Now comes the difficult part.
A 1:1 painting of a hand is a real challenge! I applied the basic skin color with the airbrush. All subtleties, such as fingernails and shades, have been coloured in the usual way of painting miniature figures.
![Hand_02](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Hand_02.jpg)
In order to present the whole thing impressively, I donated both hands and fixed them on a small lacquered wooden slab!
![Hand_03](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Hand_03.jpg)
In this case, I did not fix the figure – so you can use the hand display for various applications.
![Hand_04](https://pmc-dortmund.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Hand_04.jpg)
I have a few other ideas in mind: a hand holding an aircraft model, an outstretched hand with a vehicle … and maybe also a facial print, which looks mischievously and with a pinched eye at a figure ….! Let’s see what else comes up …!