Question: Which materials?

I made a mask a while back (quite a fail because of time pressure) in Latex, but that's not as stretchy as it was supposed to be. Is this normal for latex or did I use the wrong ingrediënts? Or shall I just use silicon?

Are you talking about foam latex? or liquid latex.

Either way silicone would be better.

amfx74 said:

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I made a mask a while back (quite a fail because of time pressure) in Latex, but that's not as stretchy as it was supposed to be. Is this normal for latex or did I use the wrong ingrediënts? Or shall I just use silicon?

Are you talking about foam latex? or liquid latex.

Either way silicone would be better.

It was liquid latex I used. The only problem here... Silicone here is like super expensive... We pay round 30€ (50$) for a box of 1Kg and don't know how much I need atm and if it's any good material... (Belgium is quite low on providers, except Kryolan but they're just too expensive...)

Do wounds out of latex.
If you haven't used silicone before, it can be very difficult to master.
unless you can get some skin tight from smooyh on. easy to use and you dont need a mold.


featureeffects.com

Mad Monster Lab has a lot of makeup and effects videos. This video will probably help you the most. www.YouTube.com\watch?v=_BwOyK38FN0

They also made a Fallout 3 fan film I enjoyed.
Sent from my Etch-A-Sketch

Thank you for the link NormanF, I tried the latex wounds but they always end up pretty bad... It doesn't look as "realistic" as it should. I can't seem to stretch the "flesh" out to look it realistic. It always just looks like a whole with some blood in it... If I try at one again I'll post a picture.

Thanks,
K

Latex is your best friend. Cheap, easy to work with. great for beginners

DamnGoodPaul said:

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Latex is your best friend. Cheap, easy to work with. great for beginners

But test it to make sure you are not sensitive or allergic to it.

Sent from my Etch-A-Sketch

The only "problem" I've ever found with latex is that you can't use regular make-up on it. If you do, it will soon turn chalky and stand out in ways you don't want. You can buy "rubber mask grease" make-up which works fine. Some of us old-timers will make their own, using castor oil and ground cake make-up. Acrylic paint works well if you can match the color. Of course, latex can be coated with any number of materials to make them impervious to regular (grease based) make-up. I knew a guy who would always make his basic scars, burns, whatever and spray them with an acrylic clear coat spray. He then applied standard make up on them and they never seemed to go chalky.

Latex is easier to use than silicone... I'm not saying it is better, just easier to use. I pointed out in a previous post some ways to prevent the chalkiness that often comes with latex. On trick that is used a lot is to paint a couple layers (2 or 3 max) onto a sheet of glass and let it dry. Rub your finger on it to get it to break up, make holes and and small, rolled bits. Now cover it with baby powder and carefully remove from the glass. This is used to make "dead flesh" bits that can hang off. Also, remember that the make up shouldn't only go on the appliance; you will NEVER match your skin color exactly. Make up your skin as well.

heres an out of the kit makeup i did using latex and small latex pieces

i applied latex, dried it then pulled holes in it, i glued in cotton wooll using more latex and soaked the cotton in blood to give it a bit of dimension inside the wounds, this was painted completely with snazaroo paints, the blood was a cheap of the shelf blood i added food colouring to to punch up the colour, this was a demo for doing a zombie on the cheap
heres another shot, excuse the eyes, my friend was messing with photoshop

this isn't perfect, i didnt do under the chin for one thing, i applied latex directly to the skin using a torn sponge then after a few layers pulled holes in it
The forehead is one of the scars i premade, i keep a bag of small latex pieces in my kit, i sculpt various scars on glass make a mould then paint latex in, get better edges that way, storebought ones are crap try and make youre own

frosty said:

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this isn't perfect, i didnt do under the chin for one thing, i applied latex directly to the skin using a torn sponge then after a few layers p...

I think my problem is: I only apply one layer. But lay it very thick... Is it better to take different layers? And how thick should I make them?

i do thin layers drying between each layer with a hairdryer, if you want a better torn skin effect you can lay a piece of tissue in the middle add latex over that and tear and twist the latex tissue, make sure to tear the edges of the tissue, before you lay it on, a straight edge is harder to cover

Yes, thin layers, slowly built up, like Frosty said. You can make the edges virtually invisible by applying a little latex and tapping it with a rough sponge before it dries - this helps create a skin texture/pore effect that allows for a realistic look.

The nice thing about zombie make-up is that you can cover mistakes by just slopping on some blood and gore!

Try making the wounds from Bondo, a mix of cabosil and Pros-Aide-great staying power, and malleable before it sets(and set it will!). Have some SuperSolv around to remove it!