Research
To create an old age sculpture I will have to research into the methodology of sculpting on a lifecast of my own face. It will also be neccessary to look at the ageing process to the facial features and how the skin changes in the elasticity, the colour, the thickness and the shaping. As I have previouly experimented with sculpting I know the basic approach to the subject and the neccessary tools and materials to use. To make the sculpt look like a future version of myself I will have to utilize photographs of my parents and grandparents to understand how their skin has changed from their youth to the target age of the sculpture.
I have used various books to research how to conduct an old age sculpt and the necessary effects to include in the sculpture. One that was particularly helpful was Special Makeup Effects For Stage and Screen, Debreceni.T, 2009, Oxford, Focal Press. There is a large chapter on 'Sculpting the Face' it details blocking and refining the sculpture. This has been informative allowing me to get a better understanding of the basic anatomy and process to create a successful sculpt. To begin creating the lifecast place it on a stand and become familiar with the facial features, a good note is to hold a mirror whilst sculpting to see the natural folds and creases in the skin. Neil Gorton gave a tip to pick out the main features and details which is to lightly draw them onto the face in order to see where the focus and placement of the plasteline will need to be. Another important point to remember in the sculpt is that the 'skin develops creases and wrinkles in a perpendicular direction to the uunderlying muscles'. Once happy with the placement of the lines on the lifecast roll small sausages of clay or plasteline and apply these to the areas, this will give the shaping for the whole sculpt. The next step is to cover the face in the clay and begin to sculpt the details of the face. This is the point at which to create the new features, for example to cheeks, brow, eyebags and nose. Once the basic shape is creates it my be refined in order to make a cohesive final finish, at this point it is necessary to rake the surface as it removes any excess material. It is important when making a sculpt not make everything exactly the same, a parent wrinkle will look different to a child wrinkle, they are found in different areas of the face and have varying textures in and around the area. When refining the sculpt with a tough bristled brush, brush talcum power over the surface, this will help the small balls of clay that are refined from sticking to the sculpt and therefore can be easily removed.
Adding the finer details to the sculpt is essential to make it look realistic, pores are a large part of the skin texture, Special Makeup Effects suggests using a small loop tool over a sheet of plastic to get a small indent and then going over it with a small toothpick or sculpting tool. Another suggestion is to brush latex over a pre-existing surface and use this as a texture stamp, however T.Debrecini believes that this is too uniform for realistic skin textures. I have experimented with various textures to see how they appear in the surface, the pictures and analysis follows. When creating pores it is essential to consider the way the skin hangs, therefore the pores will be streched in a vertical shape due to gravity working on the skin. The last detail step is to mix a small amount of clay with the solent being used in the sculpt, once mixed small bumps can be added to the skin texture as the skin is not entirely smooth. This is a very fine detail step and adds to the overall effect of the sculpt as it would look odd with only recesses in the skin and no bump and lumps.
Lifestyle
An important aspect to consider when creating my old age facial sculpt is the lifestyle that I live and the way that will affect my face as I age. Aspects that will affect my aging process are Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, Diet, Exercise, Water Intake and sun Exposure.
- I occasionally binge drink alchol to extreme levels, this sudden intake of alchol regularly will have an affect on my ageing due to the rapid consumption.
- I would not consider myself a smoker, however I will smoke occasionally with friends and I used to smoke quite regularly when I was younger for a period of two years. I do not believe that this will have much of an impact on the way in which I age, if it does it will be to a minimal degree and I do not think I should consider this aspect of my lifestyle too thoroughly for my old age sculpt.
- My diet alters greatly, I will go through periods of eating excessivly healthily and then periods of eating very unhealthily. This will have a large impact on my old age sculpt as the skin will react to the change in levels of fat in the body, loosening the skin. As my face cast is of my face as a youth there will be higher levels of fat in different areas of the face which I shall have to account for when sculpting, to remove and add in different areas.
- I excercise at least twice a week and I cycle to most places, this will have a positive affect on my aging, slowing down the process. However the other elements of my lifestyle may speed up the aging.
- I do not drink enough water, I can go most days drinking one cup of liquid, most likely to be a mug of tea which itself is a dehydrating drink. This will have a large affect as the levels of water in the body massively affect most regions of the body particularly the hydration of the skin.
- The final element, sun exposure. I have been on holiday often and I tend to burn within the first couple of days as I am bad at remembering to apply suncream, however after that point I will use an average level of suncream and tan for the majority of the holiday. I do not cover my face when in the sun and this will therefore have a large impact on the way in which my skin ages. I do not use sunbeds.
With regard to my facial movement as a person I smile and frown a lot, I am generally a smiley person which could impact the depth of my crows feet as I age. Similarly I frown a large amount when I am concentrating on many tasks such as driving and working. This could mean that my nasolabial furrow and Lateral Orbital lines are more prominenet than another at the age of 70,
Similarly the fluxtuation in weight will have made my skin looser and therefore I will be more prone to excess skin around the superior orbital groove and jowls. This is something to consider when creating my sculpt.
There are many aspects which influence the ageing of skin on a person's face. The University of Manchester has completed studies on ageing skin stating that there are three factors in which a skin ages, the first is naturally through the process of time resulting in expression lines, wrinkles and fine lines. The second is through the environment in which we live and the third is the genetic makeup of our bodies. One of the factors that makes most impact on the ageing of skin in sun exposure. (The University of Manchester, Skin Ageing) Sunlight can cause loss of elasticity, non cancerous skin growths, pigment changes and thickening of the skin. (Medline Plus, Ageing Changes in Skin).
As humans age the skin changes in many different ways, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile having lost the subcutaneous fat layer. Gravity has a strong affect on the skin pulling it downwards as it loosens, this can be seen in the direction of wrinkles. Many differentskin disorders can occur with age some include blood vessel diseases e.g.artriosclerosis, heart and liver disease, nutritional deficiences, obesity and stress. (Medline Plus, Ageing Changes in Skin)
Al Pacino (2012) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.sallesobscures.com/star-2049-al-pacino.html Accessed Date: 26/10/2014
Christopher Walken, 2012 , [Online Image] Available From http://movieclips.com/yafc-seven-psychopaths-movie-put-your-hands-up/ - christopher walken seven psychopaths Accessed Date: 12/10/2014
Kasterborous, John Hurt (2013) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.kasterborous.com/2013/05/how-leaks-are-spoiling-doctor-whos-50th-spoilers/Accessed Date: 26/10/2014
Meryl Streep (2014) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/3034682/meryl-streep-sag-awards-2014-red-carpet-02/ Accessed Date: 26/10/2014
Maggie Smith (2004) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/maggie-smith/images/30735222/title/maggie-smith-2004-photo Accessed Date: 26/10/2014
Judi Dench, 2005 [Online Image] Availble From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/judi-dench-secret-hobby_n_3460379.html Accessed Date: 12/10/2014
Betty White (2010) [Online Image] Available From: http://main.stylelist.com/2010/05/07/betty-white-hair-over-the-years/ Accessed Date:26/10/2014
Julie Andrews (2008) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.starpulse.com/Actresses/Andrews,_Julie/gallery/SGY-003803/ Accessed Date:26/10/2014
To grasp a better understanding of the way in which wrinkles form on the face I have looked at many anatomy books too determine in which direction the muscles of the face lay. From this I will be able to decipher the direction the skin is being pulled and stretched thus forming the wrinkles through ageing as the skin becomes looser. I have chosen some images (below) which give me detailed information in the formation of facial musles and similarly their formal names. A simple concept to forget when sculpting is that a wrinkle will only be as long as the muscle on which is lies. The wrinkles would not be apparent where there is a muscle pulling the skin in a different direction.
Studies on Twins Ageing
To get a better understanding of how smoking affects the ageing process I found a research study done on twins, one who smokes and one who does not. The results of some of these pairs are seen below, I thought that these were a good selsection from the twins in the study. It is clear that there is a large difference between the twin that smokes and the one that does not. The photographer made sure to take the photographs in poses and frames identical to the other to ensure the differences can be clearly seen. (NBC News, Twin Study Reveals the Secret to Looking Younger)
 Smoking AgeingThe smoker (On the right) has much darker complexion and more freckles, her wrinkles around the forehead, mouth and cheeks are significantly more prominent. The eyes appear smaller due to the additional wrinkles on the face. |  Smoking AgeingThe first difference that stands out to me in this comparison is the complexion of the skin. The smoker (On the Right) has a much darker face due to the amount of ageing spots on her face. The wrinkles are also more prominent especially around the mouth and the chin. The eyes are slightly more hooded due to looser skin. |  Smoking AgeingThis comparison is the most obvious and has a clear definition between the two twins. The twin on the left is the smoker, the wrinkles on her face are much more prominent. There are significantly more wrinkles around the mouth from smoking. Her complexion is ruddier, there is a redder tone under the eye which makes the bags stand out more greatly. |
|---|
From this study it is clear that smoking has a massive effect on the way in which a person ages, these twins should essentially look the same if they had the same lifestyle however the differences stand out greatly one looks significantly older than the other. I was a smoker for a couple of years, however I do not think that this would have a great effect on the way in which I age. Therefore I will not consider it as a big aspect of the way in which I age the plasteline face of myself.
Studies on How Drugs Affect Ageing
Along the same veins as smoking I wanted to see if there was much difference in the ageing process if drugs were taken by the subject. Although I do not take drugs and therefore this will not direct influence my sculpt of the old age face, I thought it would be an interesting topic and could be useful for reference at a future point in my studies.
Ravaged By Drugs (2014) [Online Image] Available From: http://nenamushan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/photos-shocking-before-and-after-photos.html Accessed Date: 08/12/2014
Twin Study Reveals the Secret to Looking Younger (2012) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33385839/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/t/twin-study-reveals-secrets-looking-younger/#.VIY7bTGsXLk Accessed Date: 08/12/2014
It is very clear that the drugs that have been taken by the subjects of these photographs have aged them greatly in a very short period of time. The age difference between mugshots is only a few years at most. Most of their hairs have changed colour, becoming greyer and more dull, their faces have lost the natural colour that they originally held. Their faces are also very gaunt this may be due to the fact they forgot or do not have the money to eat. There are many scabs on their faces from the drugs which cause itchiness on their bodies. The signs of ageing do not appear in the form of wrinkles however they are apparent through many other aspects of the face. That being said the older two of the group have harsher lines on their face than there should be at the age they are at. Overall it is clear that drugs have a huge impact on your physical attributes in a massively negative way.
Ageing Through the Decades
Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen, Debreceni.T, pg 58,59) details the progression of ageing through the decades of a human's lifespan. It provides highly detailed information about the different elements that occur at the different stages. No one ages exactly the same as anyone else, so these details are guides to roughly when certain features will appear. After reading the features that appear at certain ages I knew that I did not know the specific names for certain areas of the face, therefore I found an image in the book to detail these features for reference.
The 20s
Fine Transverse frontal lines may appear across the forehead.
Fine Vertical glabellar lines may appear in people who frown frequently.
Fine lateral orbital lines, or "crows feet", may appear in people who smile often or spend a lot of time in the sun.
The 30s
Transverse frontal lines deepen.
Vertical glabellar lines deepen.
Lateral orbital lines increase in number and deepen.
Transverse nasal lines may form across the top of the nose.
Nasolabial lines or furrows become noticeable.
888
The 40s
The inferior orbital groove may become apparent.
The eyebrows may descend slightly.
An excess of upper eyelid may develop and a portion of the superior orbital groove may be obscured at the lateral side.
The jawline becomes less firm.
Circumoral striae become noticeable, especially in smokers.
The lips begin to thin.
The orimental groove may begin, depending on facial structure.
The mentolabial groove becomes more apparent, depending on facial structure.
Fine lines in the neck become noticeable.
The 50s
The inferior orbital groove mat define a developing pouch under the eyes.
Excess upper eyelid tissue may worsen, obscuring more of the superior orbital groove at the lateral side and creaing more lateral orbital lines.
The nasolabial furrow is more noticeable.
The oromental groove deepens.
The lips continue to thin, especially in people who had thin lips in youth.
Dental changes may become apparent, increasing lines accordingly.
A buccomandibular groove may appear.
The jawline becomes much less firm.
Jowls and a double chin may appear.
Lines in the neck are more noticeable.
Arcus senilis may begin to appear in the eyes.
The 60s
All the aforementioned lines become exaggerated.
The circumoral stria may cross over the vermillion boarder of the lips.
The ears appear to get larger and wrinkles appear in front of tragus.
The jawline is very soft and tissues under the neck sag.
The 70s
All the aorementioned lines become more pronounced and defined,
accompanied by marked loss of elasticity of the skin and sagging tissue.
Celebrities Aged 60 - 70
I have taken a selection of photographs of various celelbrities between the ages of 60 - 70 to see how their faces have aged. It has been very helpful to use these images as reference as to the point to see how the face ages in a wide variety of different people, from different countires, backgrounds and lifestyles. Some have aged more than others due to their habits, for eample Maggie Smith smoked and as a result has prominent wrinkle lines around her mouth. Overall this research into the facial ageing has been helpful to deduce what is needed to create a successful old age sculpt.
Moogoutcreature's Channel (2013) Sculpting Demo - How to sculpt Wrinkles and Creases Available From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2LPvIenBn8 Date Accessed: 15/11/2014
Sun damage to the skin causes an increase of elastin that clusters into thick bundles. Collagen decreases as we age and the bundles of collagen, which give the skin turgor become looser and loose strength. Superficial blood vessels can thicken from sun exposure, reducing their capacity to nourish the skin. (Plastic Surgery Studio, Facial Ageing) Sun damage is a crucial element to consider on the face, as I do not protect it from the sun effectively. This will cause my face to age much faster than others who are not in the sun often.
I found research that informed me of the loss of bone in the face along with the loss of fat in certain areas and gain in others. This article prooved very interesting and helpful in understanding the structure beneath the skin and the way ageing changes it.
The fat in the face is redistributed around the face as a person ages, losing it from the areas which define youth. Areas that lose fat are the forehead and cheeks and areas that gain fat are the mouth and jaw. The sections of fat under the skin become further apart rather than a smooth layer which is apparent when younger. (Grosse Pointe Dermatology, Anatomy of Facial Ageing)
Similarly the bone density and mass changes dramatically through ageing. 'There is a significant loss of facial bone', the changes in the bone mass may be relative to the 'dynamics of bone expansion and bone resorption' leading to volume loss. Without the support of the bone there are noticeable changes in the skin. This therefore means that bones are more visible along with wrinkles. 'The nasolabial folds become more prominent', the cheeks hollow out and a jowl forms under the chin. (Grosse Pointe Dermatology, Anatomy of Facial Ageing)
Finally the article detailed the precise elements of the face which are caused from ageing. It points out the different elements allowing me to get an understanding of the elements I must alter in my sculpt.
Anatomy of a Wrinkle
As we age our skin stretches however it does not compress, when an expression on the face is made the muscle contracts compressing the skin into a smaller area creating folds of skin. Stuart Bray suggests taking many reference photographs of the subject in order to get a better understanding of where their folds and wrinkles will occur. The same movement occurs around a joint the skin's elasticity will affect how smooth the joint is when relaxed. As we age the skin becomes looser and therefore the elasticity is lost causing folds in the skin. (Learn Makeup Effets, Anatomy of a Wrinkle)
How to create a wrinkle
'A wrinkle is a meeting place of two areas of skin', to create the wrinkle sculpt on either side of the crease to raise the skin creating the indentation (wrinkle). After creating the mounds on either side of the crease the next step is to take a small tool and carve out the wrinkle through a thick sheet of plastic. This simple, yet effective description from Sturart Bray on Learn Makeup Effects has helped me greatly while I sculpt my old age face. (Learn Makeup Effets, Anatomy of a Wrinkle)
I found this video particularly helpful in the sculpting of the wrinkles on my old age face, it gives a good demonstration as to how they are created and the techniques needed to make the final result professional and realistic.
Learn Makeup Effects (2011) Anatomy of A Wrinkle [Online] Available From: http://www.learnmakeupeffects.com/anatomy-of-a-wrinkle/ Date Accessed: 15/11/2014
The book 'J.Musgrove (2003), Make-up, Hair and costume for film and television, Oxford, Focal Press' gives more infomation about the ageing process on skin. As skin ages different characteristics appear, however the bone structure does not change therefore it is important to consider this when creating an old age makeup or sculpt. The skin becomes finer, shows veins more easily, small broken blood vessels, liver spots and if the skin is tanned it may become patchy, the blue pigmentation around the eyes also becomes more prominent. These are things to consider when looking at the ageing process.
I thought it important to look at the scientific elements of ageing, to understand how the skin actually changes when it ages. 'The skin ages when the epidermis thins causing the junction with the dermis to flatten' (Plastic Surgery Studio, Facial Ageing) 'As we age the skin's capillaries and small blood vessels pull away from the skin, reducing blood flow.' 'Loss of blood supply can also contribute to thinning of the hair and paler skin.' When the skin loses elasticity, it is less able to resis stretching, along with gravity, muscle pull and tissue changes the skin begins to wrinkle. One would think that as we age we get fatter, with the appearance of jowls, however the face loses volume, soft tissue and fat. This image depicts the layers of skin and the differences between youthful and older skin.
Sculptra Aesthetic (2014) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.sculptraaesthetic.com/faq/facial-aging-and-collagen-loss.aspx Accessed Date: 10/12/2014
Reference Photographs to use whilst Sculpting
I took a selection of photographs with my face in various exaggerated expressions in order to see where the wrinkles of my face would lie. These are simply for reference, I have printed them out and had them laying next to me during the sculpting process. They proved very helpful for quick reference as to where the lines of my face originate.
Fat (n.d.) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.drballe.com/facial-aging.php Date Accessed: 11/12/2014
Bone (n.d.) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.drballe.com/facial-aging.php Date Accessed: 11/12/2014
Facial Mapping (n.d.) [Online Image] Available From: http://www.drballe.com/facial-aging.php Date Accessed: 11/12/2014
Debreceni.T. (2009) Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Focal Press Pg 119
Carter.D (2011) A Complete Guide, Anatomy for the artist. Bath: Parragon Books Pg 26, 27
Debreceni.T. (2009) Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Focal Press. Pg 36
Debreceni.T. (2009) Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Focal Press Pg 57