Casting and Creating Modeling Work With EnvironMolds, LLC

Liquid latex rubber is a popular casting material that can be easily used to make hollow rubber articles, flexible props, toys, display articles and even masks. However, things can get confusing when it comes to buying latex rubber.

In fact, art stores stock a wide range of latex casting rubber and all are not formulated in the same manner. Some latex compounds may take a long time to cure while some others may not have the necessary tear strength.


What you need to pick is high-quality latex rubber emulsions like EnvironMolds Premium Latex Casting Rubber. This multi-use liquid rubber can be easily used to make different items like imitation pottery, puppet heads, balls and other toys, props and masks. It is also appropriate for coating foams such as polystyrene, texturing and special effects for theater or video shoots.

This is a fine quality product presented by the esteemed art house of EnvironMolds. It is available in 32 oz, 1 gallon and 2 gallon buckets on www.artmolds.com. Even professional casting artists usually recommend this product for making latex mask as well as flexible props.



In fact, you can play around with this latex rubber as you wish. You can try your hand at making gloves and other thin skin products too. Or just cast them into plaster molds to make any kind of display article you want. The price is very economical and therefore will not be inhibitive.

I have been working on a play that has an elaborate tea party as its central theme. This is my first attempt at directing a play and yet, I have to admit that the painstaking planning and rehearsals seem to have come through. The curtain will go up this weekend and my team has been running helter-skelter to get the costumes and props ready for the big night.

It was only during the last minute preparations that it dawned on me that one of the boys will have to run out and raid the nearest delicatessen every evening to have the tea table heaving with buns, donuts, cakes and other delectable tidbits.

There is the fear of the foods going soggy or attracting pests, but the regular props I saw always looked so fake and phony! It was then that my assistant presented me with a selection of faux food casts from EnvironMolds. I really thought he was pulling my leg and actually picked up the ‘chocolate cake’ to see if it was ‘genuine’!

I have to admit that the donuts, petit fours, cakes and coffee looked oh-so-real even from up close. The food cast is made with liquid latex and the color and quality is such that they really deceive the eyes. We even used the Duncan coffee spill in a scene and it just added to the realism.

The audience is easily lulled into thinking the actors are partaking of a real feast and some even call us up to ask for the details of the bakery that makes all that ‘mouth-watering’ stuff!

Liquid latex rubber is a popular art material that is used for making latex mask as well as creating other theatrical effects such as wrinkles, scars and gashes for film, television and stage. The cheap price coupled it qualities of toughness and durability make latex rubber a commonly used material in the world of art.

However, regular latex rubber proves to be quite viscous. Fillers or extenders are required to control the flexibility or rigidity in the rubber latex castings.

EnvironMolds offers ‘RubRfil Latex Mold Rubber Filler and Extender’ expressly for this purpose. All you have to do is mix requisite quantity of RubRfil with the liquid latex rubber. This will thicken the mix and also extend the material so that you need to use less quantity of latex rubber.

RubRfill works by subtly altering the form and function of the latex. Varying the amount of this extender and hardener enables you to easily control the amount of hardness and flexibility as desired.

For beginners, the following recommended combinations will prove handy:

•    Very flexible - 1 part liquid latex rubber  to 0.5 part RubRfil

•    Flexible - 1 part liquid latex rubber  to 1 part RubRfil

•    Medium flexible - 1 part liquid latex rubber  to 1.5 parts RubRfil

•    Very hard - 1 part liquid latex rubber  to 2.5 parts RubRfil

You can work your way through these suggested ratios to get the kind of flexibility or hardness you require.

Liquid latex rubber is regularly used for making latex mask as well as creating special effects such as wrinkles and scars. While liquid latex is quite easy to use and lasts long, any regular user will vouch for the fact that the rubber has a distinctive smell, especially when a fresh box is opened.

Liquid latex does bear the characteristic smell of alcohol which is primarily due to its ammonia content. A tiny amount of ammonia is added to liquid latex rubber to increase its shelf life as well as to control its pH level. These ammonia fumes escape when a box is opened and should not be deeply inhaled. In fact, too much of sniffing can burn the nose, throat and even the respiratory tract.

This is why liquid latex should be used to make a latex mask in a well-ventilated area. Those who are especially sensitive to the smell should use a face mask. The good news is that the smell disappears as the liquid latex dries!

Similarly, the ammonia fumes can also irritate the eyes and skin at times. Therefore, it is advisable to air the liquid latex for some time before applying it on the skin or face for special effects. 

In sum, proper handling and use is essential for liquid latex just like any other product. Use it with care to get best results always!