The Thing - Blood Props

[00fil00]

Hi guys,

The Thing has always been one of my favourite movies but the iconic alien spider head Norris cast has always been really expensive and IMO not great looking. I've always wanted something from this movie but didn't think there was many notable props in it beside the iconic alien.

Few days ago got a really cool idea for a simple and low cost prop and can't believe I never thought of it before. The blood!

Simply ordered some 100mm petri dish plates (gonna label them up like Windows, Childs MacReady etc...) and some red coloured Elmer's Glue (PVA glue). Will add a little black paint to the red to make it a more gutteral blood red. Hopefully the glue will make it look shiny permanently.

Here's the cool bit! Found this miniature called an "air elemental" that looked sufficiently without face or any form. This will be Palmer's blood dish. Will stick it to that clear plastic base I ordered (it is cloudy as it still has it's protective screen on). I will paint the miniature black to get the shadows, then dry brush white to get the detail back. Then I will coat the whole thing in the same red glue.

Here's what the final prop set will look like. I will also place a roll of red copper wire nearby to complete the scene.

Hope you like it! Will post back when it's painted up.

 

[Apollo]

Love it!!

Going to look great!!!!!

 

[stussy]

nice idea,should look good

 

[Rylo]

Fun! Like it!

 

[00fil00]

Right the glue isn't working as it doesn't flow so it would never be flat, would produce colour variations unless mixing up a massive batch, and it doesn't dry shiny - looks like paint.

I've looked up lots of fake blood recipes but they are all liquid and I need a solid that looks liquid. I've had a think about it and I think a simple alternative is to buy a dark/wine red candle and simply melt it in a pan and pour into the dishes. If it doesn't shine enough i can try some furniture wax and polish it up. Ordered a candle and will post back.

 

[breen2057]

Right the glue isn't working as it doesn't flow so it would never be flat, would produce colour variations unless mixing up a massive batch, and it doesn't dry shiny - looks like paint.

I've looked up lots of fake blood recipes but they are all liquid and I need a solid that looks liquid. I've had a think about it and I think a simple alternative is to buy a dark/wine red candle and simply melt it in a pan and pour into the dishes. If it doesn't shine enough i can try some furniture wax and polish it up. Ordered a candle and will post back.

look up how model makers make water effects for dioramas, you might be able to use some of their techniques.

 

[rorschach999]

co cleaver never thought of this either - good one

 

[13doctorwho]

5 minute epoxy with red food dye. That's one of the ways they do water in dioramas.

 

[00fil00]

5 minute epoxy with red food dye. That's one of the ways they do water in dioramas.

Resins are stupid expensive when i only need like 50ml. That's what I was trying to avoid.

 

[Richard Baker]

i love this concept and that 'water elemental' sculpt has that insane wildness which fits the movie style so well!

 

[PropsToHistory]

Love it

 

[00fil00]

Finally got around to getting the balls to do the final step - one mistake and it was all over with resin! Tried a few things before resin because I really didn't want to a) buy resin which is expensive and sticky b) have something that even a drip on the outside would ruin it permanently. Tried candles and scroll's sealing wax but they came out matt. Varnishing on top of the wax caused some sort of bubbling in tests.

Here is the set up for the final stage:

 

[00fil00]

Finished! Happy with it - took me a lot of red/blue/black dye and stain mixing till I was happy with a blood colour.

 

[portland182]

That's great! Well done

 

[Apollo]

Those would look fantastic next to the Halloween candy bowl!

 

[stussy]

cool,looks great

 

[Friendly flyer]

Neat idea, and very well executed!

 

[Townz]

Impressive! Unique and great looking prop! The Thing is one of my favourites.