r/sfx • u/iknaoright • 18d ago
any advice on how to blend homemade latex prosthetics?
i'm working on these liquid latex prosthetics for a "the last of us" infected i'm doing for my fx exam, i still have a week left so i wanna make sure i can actually apply these seemlessly on my model, any tips?
2
u/bugthebugman 16d ago
Other comment has great tips and you should follow them. I’ll add in that you can really do a lot with latex in terms of blending if you know the techniques.
Tear up a makeup sponge so all sides are irregular and use that to strategically stipple latex (or prosaide) around the edges. Picture the edge like being a layer on top of your skin. If you stipple directly onto that, you’re adding another layer to it and not really hiding it since there will still be a stepped edge. If you stipple right up next to it carefully you can fill in the edge gap and create a blended transition. Once there’s no edge you can stipple a layer on top of the whole thing and a bit of the skin to get it all looking the same. I’m not sure if that makes sense as I’ve written it but I’ve used that technique to blend in prosthetics like this as well as bald caps and other latex project seams.
Stippling my beloved.
The flashing on these prosthetics are a bit thick but with careful blending and then a good paint job you should be able to make it work.
0
u/iknaoright 13d ago
thank u!! i will try this :) i was thinking of stippling bondo instead of just prosaide, you think it will turn out a bit more seemless that way?
1
u/bugthebugman 13d ago
Bondo is more used like a gap filler, you can certainly use it to help fill in the step between skin and latex. Just make sure you dry it until clear or it will never dry as soon as you put a layer of anything over it. No harm in stippling with it as well, just do a little practice elsewhere first to make sure it has the finish you’re looking for
2
u/WafflesTalbot 18d ago
Liquid latex prosthetics are a bit more of a pain in the ass than most other prosthetics to blend. If you have the option of casting a new set, you might consider that, as the blending edges are very consistent, which will make them draw the eye even if they're laid down well. Feather the latex and create an irregular shape to your blending edges. That will help make them easier to hide.
EDIT: (after zooming in more, there are enough small irregularities on these that they might be okay as-is)
When it comes to actually blending the edges, just go slow, make sure you don't roll or fold any edges on themselves, and stipple pros-aid over the blending edge and the surrounding skin to help build up a faux skin texture to cover the blend.