Edouard André Facial Study Plaster Cast

A handmade plaster portrait study cast designed for artists practicing facial structure, value, edge control, and the simplification of complex surface detail.

This cast is especially useful for studying how facial hair can be grouped into larger masses rather than drawn strand by strand. The goatee, mouth, chin, and surrounding facial planes create a compact but challenging reference for portrait drawing and controlled lighting studies.

Why Artists Study This Cast

One of the most difficult parts of portrait drawing is knowing what to simplify.

Facial hair can easily pull attention toward small details before the larger form is established. This cast encourages you to look first for the major masses of the face, the shape of the goatee, the structure around the mouth and chin, and the way those forms turn through space.

Because the cast remains fixed, you can return to the same proportions and lighting setup across multiple drawing sessions.

What You Can Practice

• Portrait structure and proportion
• Simplifying facial hair into larger masses
• Mouth, chin, and jaw relationships
• Major and minor plane changes
• Light and shadow relationships
• Value control and rendering
• Edge control
• Observational drawing
• Traditional cast drawing methods

Study Suggestions

Begin by ignoring the individual texture of the hair and look for the largest shape of the goatee as a single mass.

Establish the larger structure of the nose, mouth, chin, and jaw first, then compare the value of the facial hair against the surrounding plaster forms.

Place the cast under a single directional light and simplify the subject into broad light and shadow families before developing smaller transitions.

For additional practice, change the direction of the light and observe how the hair mass, mouth, chin, and jaw create different edge and shadow relationships.

Why Plaster?

Plaster has long been used for artistic training because its matte white surface minimizes the distraction of local color.

Under controlled lighting, subtle plane changes, reflected light, form shadow, and cast shadow become easier to observe, making it easier to concentrate on structure and value.

Best For

• Portrait drawing
• Facial anatomy study
• Facial hair studies
• Cast drawing
• Value studies
• Light and shadow exercises
• Edge-control practice
• Art students
• Atelier training
• Art classrooms

Product Details

Material: White plaster

Finish: Natural white plaster

Approximate Height: 5.5 in (14 cm)

• Handmade plaster construction
• Integrated hanging loop on the back
• Suitable for tabletop or wall-mounted study
• Compact size for individual or classroom practice
• Designed as an artistic reference and training tool

What's Included

• One handmade Edouard André Facial Study Plaster Cast

Handmade in the Studio

Each Edouard André Facial Study Cast is individually cast and finished by hand.

Small air bubbles may occasionally be present on the rear or base of the cast as part of the casting process, but the primary study surface is kept clean for drawing and observation.

Optional Study Stand

This cast is compatible with the From the Mold desktop study stand, allowing it to be positioned upright on a desk or drawing table without permanent wall mounting.

The stand's black background provides strong contrast against the white plaster, while rubber feet on the base help reduce sliding during use. Study stand sold separately.

For Educators

The Edouard André Facial Study Cast works well for portrait drawing, value studies, edge control, and exercises in simplifying complex surface detail.

It is particularly useful for teaching students to group facial hair into larger masses before moving into smaller details.

For multiple casts or classroom orders, contact From the Mold regarding quantity purchasing options for educational programs.