8 FIELDIANA: TECHNIQUE, NO. 8 



mold after rinsing, apply solvent and repeat the water rinse on 

 that part only. 



(8) Wipe the mold lightly with another cloth to remove excess 

 water and to finish the cleaning. Prolonged soaking or vigorous 

 scrubbing after wetting the mold will damage or spoil the cast, so 

 this part of the procedure should be done quickly and without too 

 much pressure. 



(9) Dry the cast for 30 minutes or longer, 



(10) Place the mold in water, or face down on wet paper or 

 cloth, and soak it until the separator underneath the cast absorbs 

 water and softens, releasing the cast. This may take anywhere 

 from 30 minutes to 3 hours. If the cast does not loosen, either the 

 mold has undercuts or other defects, or the separator was not 

 properly applied. 



(11) Remove the cast from the mold. To prevent warping, 

 place it between two thicknesses of wire screen. Rinse off the sepa- 

 rator and allow the cast to dry for at least 4 hours. 



(12) Strengthen the central stem of the mold by applying stems 

 of cotton-covered wire (magnet wire, coil wire), preferably double- 

 covered. A satisfactory cement for this purpose is Acryloid B 72. 

 Use toluol or xylol for thinner. After applying the cement allow 

 the wire to stand for perhaps three minutes to become "tacky," 

 before applying it to the cast. 



Note: As a variation of 11 and 12, on larger casts apply the 

 stems to the cast before soaking out the molds. Use care to avoid 

 smearing the face of the mold and the cast with cement. 



(13) The foliage as cast is flat. Shape it by using heat in any 

 of the following methods: (a) plunge it into hot water, 180-212° 

 F., the temperature being governed by the stiffness of the cast; 

 (b) use a jet of steam or hot air; (c) use a hot tool. 



(14) Fasten the projecting bases of the stems together to form 

 branches, clumps of foliage, etc. 



MATERIALS 



Gum arable. Any water-soluble gum or adhesive may be substituted, but 

 the formula must be adjusted accordingly. 



Molasses. 



Cellulose nitrate, which may be obtained in the form of celluloid shavings 

 from Frederick Post and Company, 3650 North Avondale Avenue, Chicago 18, 

 Illinois. Place the granulated cellulose nitrate in a container (having a tight 



