Getting Started For The Long Haul...

[tehfailsafe]

I've lurked for a few days and read many many of the beginning posts but I'm getting stuck on a few things.
I figured I'd start with the skin as it seems like a suitable base. I don't like the look of the Mr. I suit and I would much rather make a latex from scratch. I know it will take a long time and I'll have to learn many new things but I'm excited to try.

So, if I understand it right, I first sculpt the legs and torso separately, then cover it in "something" to create a negative mold, then pour in latex or other material to create the thin layer that I would wear. Then paint, reassemble torso to legs and add a zipper and kick some ass.

But here's the questions...
What is the something that the sculpt needs to be covered in? Is there a good solid beginners tutorial on the whole process? I've read several more advanced ones here which skip the obvious steps, and the beginner tutorials just say "make skin"...

I also see what seems like an extra step sometimes with fiberglass. Am I misunderstanding the use of it? I figured sculpt positive, create negative, then pour mold the final product. Is that wrong?

Once I have the latex front and back pulled out of the mold and reassembled, how do you prevent it from collapsing where the muscles are? As much as I wish I had the body of a predator, I'm going to have to sculpt larger than what I have for muscles. Don't these then become saggy bits of latex when the suit is worn?


I am very comfortable with 3D modelling and digital sculpting in zbrush, is there an alternative to clay sculpting that would allow me to take a 3D cad file and get that made into something that could be used to make the mold? I currently don't have any clay sculpting setup or tools, so if I could take a sculpt in zbrush and CNC it or 3D print it cost effectively, that would be the way to go for me...



Thanks for any advice!

 

[Uglimofo]

As far as the body suit goes, it works best when you have another layer between you and the rubber latex. I built a spandex suit from a wetsuit sewing pattern. I then stuffed the spandex suit with foam and paper to mimic my own body. I then carved foam muscles and attached them to the bodysuit with hot glue. I then coated the wetsuit and foam muscles with acrylic paint and latex using the stipple method which created a rough "skin" look (no brush strokes). I basically followed the "MacGuyver Mr. I tutorial" but altered it slightly to fit my own vision of Predator like skin.