Fiberglass Resin Process

Clay

The first step of the fiberglass resin process begins with sculpting the figure out of clay. While Sunti prefers to meet with and sculpt his model in person, he is also capable of working from photographs that reveal different angles of the individual. Beginning each piece in prayer and meditation, Sunti meticulously transforms the clay, reproducing his model in exact structural measurements.

Watch video of Sunti working with clay

Once the sculpture is finished, Sunti carefully casts the figure in three to four layers of plaster and coconut fiber, so as to create a protective mold for the following step, wax.

Wax

Once the wax is set and the mold broken, Sunti continues carving, either etching into the wax or adding wax where necessary. Using only his hands and a wireloop carving tool, Sunti meticulously captures every detail and duplicates the model's exact physical markings.

When the sculpture's features are identical and accurate, Sunti covers the wax sculpture in layers of silicon rubber, and, once dry, covers the silicone with layers of plaster and coconut fiber. After the plaster has set, Sunti opens the mold and fills the silicone with layers of resin and sheets of fiberglass. The result is thin, fiberglass resin pieces, that, when caulked together, create a hollow sculpture.

Preparing for silicone

Preparing for silicone

Silicone

Silicone

Fiberglass Resin

Sunti repairs any fractures, adds texture to the skin, sands the sculpture, inserts either glass or resin eyes, makes tiny pin-holes for the hair, paints the sculpture with acrylic paint, and lastly, adds each strand of hair one by one.