Building the final mask

Expanding foam sets around the helmet, with cling film protection to enable the foam to be removed later

Helmet sits in the top jaw to create an impression, reference sculpt shown on desk

Using the principle measurements from my sketch model, I began constructing the basis for the final crocodile head. By constantly placing the foam over the helmet, it was important that I followed the centre line of the visor to avoid the jaws sitting skew whiff. Despite my best attempts to cut the foam around the helmet, I decided that expanding foam would provide a good fit between the two materials, as it can mould to the exact shape of the helmet. Firstly, I covered the air vents in the helmet with masking tape to prevent any expanding foam seeping through the helmet. I then covered the whole thing with cling film, to prevent the foam sticking to the helmet, allowing me to remove the jaws once the foam has cured and work on them separately. The expanding foam has also proved useful for filling in gaps made during the fitting of the foam around the helmet, such as the join lines at the back and any holes around the eye line join.