studio-making of my own prosthetics

MAKING OF MY OWN PROSTHETICS 

As you can see below i used Gelglyk to create round individual pieces to place on my model for my final piece. 
A difficulty was that sometimes when i squeezed the bottle, air bubbles were made as you can see in the bottom right picture. 
I mixed the gelglyk with poster paint, however it became to sticky, and i came to the conclusion that i will have to paint every single one of them once stuck on the face. 
The photo on the far left is a blood colour gelglyk, and the bottom right is flesh colour. 
I followed the instructions from weeks 1/2 on heating the gelglyk, and had to keep reheating it to make it runny, however the balls came out better when the liquid was not too runny.
Below is the progress-

Implants and Scarification

Ive been researching a lot lately into scarification, and how in Africa, artists use the body as their canvas. It involves puncturing or cutting patterns and motifs into the epidermis of the skin. People in todays society place implants in their skin, don't ask me why, as i personally do not like it, but if they want to do it, they can. The thought of the pain they go through. Owww.

Belgium Congo- Gallery Ambre Congo- Photographer Unknown 

Bakutu Women - Belgium Congo - Photographer. C, Lamote - Ivys Albums

Body and facial patterns made it possible to identify one tribe from another. 

References- 

http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20Scarification.htm

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=body%20modification&rs=rs

Crossroads

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adriana-gerasimova-crossroads

Above is a link to Adriana Gerasimovas native inspired shoot, Crossroads. Trendhunter is a very good website, as it  gives you a wide range of images and information about others, which is great for inspiration. The use of colour and shapes helps me with ideas for my final image, and as mentioned before, I love colour.

Texture

FULLERS EARTH, GELATIN, LATEX.

Below is a picture of fullers earth on the head. It is a power mixed with water to create a thick paste, which can be placed on the body to create texture, almost like a second layer of skin. It also makes the face and body look dirty.
It goes on like a dark gray/clay colour, however when dried with a cool air, it becomes white, as seen in the bottom left of the picture.

• Test beforehand on the skin to make sure the model has no allergies
• While this product is generally safe, it does produce fine dust, so be careful with the eyes and respiratory system.

Gelatin-
You can buy gelatin from many cosmetic companies under the name of Gelglyk. It can come in flesh, dark flesh, or blood colours. It can be coloured ontop of, and items can be added to it, eg. colour, glitter, coffee, NO glitter in microwave.

• Heat the gelatin bottle in a bowl of water in the microwave for about 40 seconds until its become a runny liquid.
• Always check the temperature on the back of hand before use.
• Place in cold water to cool the gelatin down. 
• Do NOT heat up in anything metal.
• Removed with prosade.

Great for larger areas, prosthetics and burns
Special tools need to be used.
Texture can be made by placing layers ontop of each other.

Latex-
Liquid latex contains about one third latex and two thirds water.
It is applied using sponges and takes about 5-10 minutes to dry, depending on how thick it is applied. 
Shimmer powders can be dusted over dried liquid latex to create metallic effects.
It is removed by peeling off as water does not affect it. Care has to be taken when doing this.

• Test on the wrist as people are allergic 2 weeks in advance . Remove straight away if theres a reaction.

It can be used to make scars and gashes and added to tissue and cotton to create an even better effect.
It can also be placed on the lips to make them look really dry. 
It also can be used to apply crepe hair, to make wrinkles and fake skin. 
When dried it goes clear.
No moisturiser or anything used on skin before hand as it can stop it sticking.
Can be dried with warm hairdryer
Blend edges away with acetone. 
Stipple sponges can be used to make texture.

Tuplaste-

• Placed on clean skin.
• Excellent for making scars and cuts.
• Squeeze out , and can be manipulated
• When dry it can be powdered and coloured
• Can be brought from Kryolan.

Model 2- Soloman

Below is my model Soloman, who i shall be using for my image 1. He goes to Solent university, and i was lucky enough to have a friend who knows him, and also for him to accept being my model.
I have been told that he has really weird but amazing eyes, almost yellow colour, which is a bonus.
He also has really short hair, which will make things easier with the bald cap application.

Facial Hair

In the studio the other day, we experimented with facial hair. We tried stubble, and a full on hairy beard, however in my opinion i thought the stubble looked the most realistic. Attention has to be used when matching the colours, i.e to the eyebrows and hair colour.

Ellisha

Im so glad i have my models for this project. I was so lucky that Ellisha came into one of our shoots to photograph, and she agreed on using her as my model. She is perfect. Her nose ring is also a big bonus.  Her skin is flawless and as soon as i saw her i knew she would be the right person for this shoot.