KW
Finishing Techniques
There are many finishing techniques that are used to make a prosthetic piece look as successful as possible. Some of these are mentioned below with various avenues of research alongside. I have first looked into seaming the prosthetic pieces, as I am creating a large makeup it will be necessary to complete this process. Later I have looked at colouring the prosthetics, Flocking and Punching hair.
This extract from Todd Debrecni's book displays the seaming and painting of Silicone and foam latex appliances. It is particualrly interesting and has given me a good insight into the technique that I need to carry out in order to achieve a perfect prosthetic piece. As my piece is going to be a full head prosthetic there will be a joinging edge where the two halves of the mould meet, unless I create two pieces for the face and the caul.
My basic understanding of the seaming process for silicone is that one must use some very sharp, fine scissor to lift the seam flashing and cut as close to the surface as possible. One suggestion is to cut a small channel in the prosthetic which can then be filled with silicone to create a smooth edge. Once everything is cut away, clean the prosthetic is IPA or acetone to remove fingerprints, dirt, dust, powder, mould release or anything else. To seam the piece mix a small batch of silicone in the same ratio as the piece itself then in small sections apply a thin line of siicone using a spatula. After this place cling film over the line without any trapped air bubbles and use tools to match the exisitng pattern on the prosthetic. Hairdry the silicone to speed up the process, once all the detail is complete and the silicone is set, carefully remove the clingfilm leaving a seamless edge.
To seam Foam Latex the process is very similar, but it is considered harder than silicone. To patch foam you cannot use foam as it takes time in an oven to cure which would ruin the rest of the piece. Prosaide can be used when it begins to thicken after being left out in the environment. Apply it with a spatula or a damp sponge. When it is drying you can texture it with tools, and once set powder and the piece will be ready. Equally one could use bondo (a mixture of prosaide and cabosil) to patch the piece. Another technique is to use gelatin, melt a little and fill the seam with this, to smooth off the surface you can use a brush dipped in hot water to melt away the surface.
Overall these processes seem to be realtively simple, yet time consuming as they need to be conducted in very small sections in order to get a realistic result that will match the rest of the prosthetic appliance.
Debrecini.T.(2008) pg 190-192
Flocking
Flocking is an imprtant finishing technique as it can create brilliant results, it is primarily used to create a fur-like texture on a piece, however it can be used for many other uses. This segment from Todd Debrecini's Special Makeup Effects displays the technique for application and also the way in which the electrostatic flocking machiene works. My understanding of the technique is that the machiene charges the hairs with two poles of oppsite polarity, when held over the subject which is coated with adhesive the hairs will stick to the adhesive standing on end and in the direction in which one has applied it. It is majoritively used for masks, costume, proprs, puppet makers and taxidermists, however it can be used for prosthetics and in makeup. It can be applied directly to the face to create facial hair, in the same technique. Apply adhesive to the skin and flock the hair, make sure the model holds their breath and closes their eyes whilst flocking as the small hairs can cause irritation. This technique can be utilsed for many various techniques to produce interesting effects for makeups it is worth remembering for projects.
Hair Punching
I have already had some experience with hair punching, I used the technique in the last project to add hairs to my silicone prosthetic piece with spines, I have also used it during this project on a short film that I worked on, to create a stag creature. The pictures are displayed on the page about the film. Todd Debrecini's book Special Makeup Effects gives a description of the process:
The process of adding hairs to a prosthetic appliance one at a time using a special needle, putting it over a stand of hair
and pushing it into the surface of the appliancein the direction the hair is "growing". (Debrecini.T (2008) pg 311)
This photograph shows the process of hair punching into a prosthetic piece, the piece is a werewolf for the television show Grimm. Here you can see how realistic the result looks, the hairs look genuine, with variation in colour all laying in te correct direction of growth. This is a good example as to the application of the technique. The hairs have been individually punched with a need to create this effect. This technique can be used for all kinds of hair work to make a very realistic result.
Debrecini.T.(2008) pg 261-262
Andrew Clement, Monroe Appliances with Hair Punched In (2011) [Online Image] Available From: https://makeupmag.com/grimm-days-ahead-for-nbc-2/ Date Accessed: 09/04/2015
I found this segment in Penny Delemar's The Complete Makeup Artist, it details the process of hair punching. However I think the way in which it is conveyed is very amateur, there is no reference to the process 'Hair Pucnhing' and there is no visual aid as to the technique or process. Sometimes it is alright to not have pictures, however the description of the technique is not precise enough to warrent no pictures. Overall I think the segment in not descriptive enough, although it does give a direction in which to head when trying our hair punching for the first time.
Delamar.P (1994) pg 249
This demonstration given by Wayne shows how flocking can work on a prosthetic piece or on skin. To create this effect the prosthetic is applied with adhesive and the electrical wire is attached to the prosthetic where the adhesive is applied this will create a current through the glue. The flocking is then flocked onto the piece using the gun and it creates this result. An airbrush can then be used to change the direction of the hairs to create a more realistic result. The final photograph displays the use of flocking on the skin. The adhesive is applied and the wire is held by the person. The flocking will then naturally be drawn to the model and stick to the glue creating this effect. This could be utilized for many various effects to produce varying and interesting results. Although my character design does not involve any hair work it is a technique worth rememebering for future projects to create textures and effects within a design.