A quick look at how to make a Harry Potter mandrake prop.

Here is an inside look at how I make the Harry Potter inspired Mandrake prop.

First, I hand sculpted an original mandrake prop sculpture with polymer clay.  Then I made a handmade silicone mold from the original sculpture. 

Once you have your mold, get it ready for casting.  Gather your materials. 

I use a measuring cup, a mixing bucket and stick and newspapers to protect the floor.  Don't forget to wear gloves! 

I use Smooth cast 300 as my casting resin for these models today.

Following the chemical directions, I measure the amount I will need for each chemical.

pour into mixing bucket.

Mix well, you only have 30 seconds with this product!

pour into mold slow and steady...pat for air bubbles.

Allow resin to dry 10-20 mins.

Then carefully remove cast from mold.

Once removed...this is what you will have. A very rough copy of your mandrake.

I then use a demel tool to refine and carve out the sculpture.

This can get really messy!

Once finished sanding and refining, I spray a couple of layers of white paint primer and allow to dry.

Then into my workspace for painting process. He will need a base coat of a skin color, a brown mixture for the over coat paint. Then paint the eyes and add the roots at the end of the hands with glue and glue on the leaves on top. Put him in his pot and glue him in firmly.

Next step is to apply a clear protective coating. I add a custom distressed tag and sign the bottom.

Here are a few finished mandrakes. The left one is cast from silicone and the right is with the resin as shown in this post.

another picture of the finished mandrakes.