"A few years back, I decided to produce a prosthetic depicting extreme old age. At the time I did not have enough experience with using foam rubber, so I was limited to cold curing methods such as slush molding pre-vulcanised latex etc. I was also still relying on oil based clays for my modelling. What a terrible combination!". |
A lesson:
Following a lifecasting session, we ended up
with a plaster positive of my face, which I intended to use to try out my sculpting skills
to produce some extreme old age make-up SFX. Since I knew that I may need a little time to experiment with producing convincing wrinkles and sags, I opted not to use wet clay, and instead ended up using an oil based clay. This was a mistake for two reasons: 1) Oil rots latex. 2) Latex practically desiccates oil based clay! |
I recall been extremely
unhappy with the results (at first); but consoled myself with the fact that I had, at
least, discovered a quick and reproducible crackling effect for the future. Filled now, with a sense of adventure and discovery, I decided to experiment further -with less optimistic results this time. Since
I was not going to use foam latex, this eliminated the need to
have a plaster negative. I could use latex to create my mould. |
I guess that
I must have figured that by permeating the latex
mould with ordinary newspaper I could (not only) save on chemical resources, but more
importantly create a ridged Endo-scaffolding that would retain the original shape of the
sculpture. Neither occurred! Instead, the newspaper absorbed the water content of
the liquid latex and caused the cast to buckle
and rouche. These was no saving this project. |
© S y l a k S p e c i a l E f f e c t s Sculptor/model maker: Sylak - Artist/painter: Nicky |