How we do it
See how we create our images
1. ORIGINAL MODEL/MOLD
The first step in the production of the saint is the creation of the original model. A first mold is taken from this mold, which will be the basis for the reproduction.
These molds are held by a counter mold that we call Charpa.
The Charpas are made with pasta, burlap and wood that serve as reinforcement.
The gelatin mold, which will be used to reproduce the image, is made on the Charpa. The material used is industrial gelatin, which is heated in a bain-marie, decanted into the mold and allowed to cool until it solidifies into a white plastic.
Leftover gelatin is recycled.
2. MOLDING
Once the gelatin mold has been obtained, the next step is to mold the image in wood paste.
Therefore, what is done is to cover the gelatin mold with this paste, without filling it too much to avoid excessive weight.
Once the first layer has dried, a second layer will be mixed with burlap, and the large images will be reinforced with wooden cubes.
Next, we will put dough around the two parts of the mold and proceed to close it.
When the paste is sufficiently dry, it is removed from the gelatin mold and the unpolished image is obtained, since the joints of the two faces are visible and in many cases, the fragments that have been molded separately still need to be placed.
The same gelatin is used for both the molds and the image.
3. RETOUCHING
The wood pulp image needs to be polished and finished.
This is done in the retouching salt, where the operators refine its contours and put glass eyes and the necessary fragments.
The tools used are basically: glass paper, gouges and paste.
4. PAINTING
After passing through the retouching room, the image can now be painted.
The decoration process includes many variants, depending on the type to be obtained.
The painting process is manual and the first step to be performed is the incarnation.
The paints used are generally oil paints (with turpentine), and in some colors or specific models, plastic paints are also used.
The process of decorating the image is completed according to the class, the attributes are added (canes, sticks, etc…), the crown and it can be delivered to the client.
