Advice to choose: latex, silicon, latex foam or clay?

[fifafofam]

Hi
I'm trying to make a decision for a series of new small sculptures (6/8 inches). I need to make them as light and flexible as possible because I'm going to need to travel with them and i don't want them to break apart. They don't need to be movable like puppets, just static scuptures but something not fragile. I have worked with air dry clay and I like this material but it can end up being really fragile (especially the fingers).

I have worked before with latex to make the head and hands and the result was fine. I did the original scuplture on clay, then did a cast with plaster, and the final work in latex. It was hard to fine a nice latex product though (I live in Madrid). I have also heard about silicon but I don't really know the real difference between latex and silicone and how to use it.

Another choice could be latex foam, but I don't really know if is possible to use it like liquid latex, so I can make a cast on plaster from the original clay figure and then pour any sort of liquid latex foam (if this exists).

Which would be the best choice for me and where can I find more information about process and materials?
Thanks!

[Daniel]

For a small figure like that urethane resin might work best for you. Foam latex is usually used for 3-D makeup appliances in the film industry. Use it if you want to make a fake nose or something; I don't think this is what you are looking for to cast small figures, though. It usually consists of several ingredients that have to be mixed, frothed into a foam, injected into the mold, and then baked in an oven. I've used it a few times, and it is a little tricky. You have to time everything just right or else the material won't foam up correctly or will gel before you fill the mold or whatever.
Silicone is usually used for making flexible molds, but can also be cast. The clear kind is often used with tints to achieve realistic skin. Check out the work of Ron Mueck. I believe most of his work is silicone.

Anyways, here is a link to Smooth-On, a company that sells many of these different materials. There is a "how-to" section that might answer a lot of your questions.

[Daniel]

forgot to post the link. here it is:
http://www.smooth-on.com/