Plastic Tape Casting

As a method to learn casting and work with life-size sculpture, I have my 3D Art & Design students work on packing tape casting.  This is less expensive than plaster and much easier to clean up, not to mention a lot faster!  The tape is a great medium because the transparency allows for interior experimentation.  I have had students place lights, colored paper, and objects within their forms to portray different concepts and ideas.

Students can create the sculpture piece by piece and attach once finished with a limbs.  They wrap the sticky side out first, twist the tape around, and then complete an additional 3-4 layers of tape sticky side down.  Tape is then cut off of the body using scissors and taped back together.  When completing the head, I recommend students to place a grocery bag over their hair or use a shower cap.  Of course, they leave the nose open and add that in later.

Students use the school's library as a place to display the work when finished.