MODELLING OF ANIMALS, ETC. 153 



fae dead head in clay, by the eye and by measurements, and a 

 mould taken from that, to be again cast into for the model. This 

 latter, though entailing three processes, is the more correct, and 

 gives the best result when the modeller is experienced ; but as 

 the former is the easier, and leads up to better things, I must 

 describe it first. 



"We will take as an exam^ple the most difficult head to cast — a 

 homed head — considering that, if we do this correctly, all others 

 will be easy enough. Here, then, is a stag's head, some modelling 

 or pipe-clay*, some soft-soap, a hundredweight or so of common 

 plaster of Paris at about 4s. per cwt., two pails, or rather zino or 

 galvanised iron buckets, one of them containing water. 



The first operation, after beating up the clay, is getting the 

 nead into position ; this will be easy enough should it be cut off 

 from the body, otherwise the head must be propped up on the 

 table, whilst the greater part of the body rests on boxes, or 

 trestles, somewhat lower than the table. A very little 

 "gumption" will enable the learner to cope with these small 

 difficulties, always remembering, however, that both body and 

 head must be immovably fixed during the process of casting. 

 Let us assume, therefore, the body arranged so that the head — 

 face uppermost — and part of the neck, rests on the table, firmly 

 fixed ; supports, or stays of wood, fastened at one end to the horns 

 by wires or cords, and at the other end by nails to the table, 

 will effect this. The chin should be propped up a little from the 

 surface of the table, by means of a pad of clay which has been 

 previously prepared ; next cut more slices of clay from the mass, 

 and build in the front and sides of the face in a straight line, to 

 just tinder the nostrils, but above the line of the mouth ; smooth 

 the clay — wiiicli should extend outwards some two or three 

 inches from the head — with water and a broad knife. The lower 

 half of the head is now hidden, mouth and all, up to just above 

 the upper lip. Next fill in the nostrils and the lachrymal sinuses 

 (the orifices below the eyes) with cla}'-, but in a careful manner, 

 so that, although they shall be filled up sufficiently to prevent 

 the plaster from running in to make " undercuts," they shall 



* Pipe-clay quite good enough for this purpose is sold by the pipe makers in drv blocks 

 cr pieces, at about 6s. or 7s. per cwt. The clay must be soaked as wanted in a bucket of 

 water, and beaten up with a stick or "bat " until it is smooth, free from lumps, and of the 

 consistence of very stiff putty. It should then be formed into a square mass, and kept 

 damp by wet cloths. 



