What is the best quick drying material to use in my molds?

plaster of paris?

OK, I'm DEFINITELY NOT the expert on this but for less than $6.00 you can try some Quickreet Quick Drying cement. I use it to cement fence posts in the ground.

I have NO IDEA how well it will work for molds but the product DOES contain aggregate.

Hope this helps.

'')

Can you post a picture of the stuff you make? You might need several bags of the stuff. It comes in 50 pound sacks. And I'd also recommend using a respirator - or at the very least a dust mask. The dust from concrete can cause silicosis (a lung condition caused by breathing silicone based products that are in dust form.

Be safe.

'')

Try clean clay cat litter mixed with Portland cement, although it might set up too fast so I'd experiment with a mold that you wouldn't mind sacrificing. Also be aware that if your cement sets too quickly its integrity will be compromised and your pieces will crack or disintegrate. Quickrete is a popular brand of ready-to-mix cement sold in the US.

Self-leveling latex compound isn't meant for statuaries, and you're correct that it's expensive. Good luck.

What are Molds? Do you mean Moulds?