Due to a design change as a result of extensive research into the creature I am wanting to create, the addition of a pair of sculpted ears will not be necessary. After sharing my ideas with a tutor I was advices that the simplest and most affective way to remove the appearance of the ears will be using a bald cap, making the side of the cap longer than usual and securing over the ears. The prosthetic piece can then be placed over this which will blend over the ears removing them completely. Although the process of casting and mould the ears took extra time and effort, I know have understanding into both face and ear life casting, this addition information can only be a good thing for my career.
Having previously never sculpted this was an extremely new experience, initial research into the techniques and tools which would be needed was undertaken. I sourced information from chapter 4 of the book 'Special effects for stage and screen: making a applying prosthetics', the books identifies all stages of the sculpting process. What I also found incredibly helpful was watching Youtube videos at each stage which I was at. Once gathering the individual stages from the book, I could then locate appropriate videos which would show me step by step what I needed to be doing.
The first stage of the sculpting process was blocking out the area in which I want use as part of the prosthetic. A very handy video to watch for this is the 2011 prosthetic sculpting video part one by Stuart Bray- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66V7egZo308. The video is the first of three videos outlining the stages of sculpting a prosthetic face piece.
- The video and my personal process into the sculpt began by prepping the cast using a very thin layer of Vaseline over the full face, this was then buffed and wiped away using a tissue.
- Then identifying where the prosthetic piece with start and end, this should be outlined using a faint pencil mark.
- Unlike the plasterline used in the video the oil based clay I was using to sculpted with needed to be slightly warmed to makeup the product much more pliable, this was done by using a hair dryer on a low heat and gently warming the surface.
- Small pieces of the material were then broken off and moulded into small balls.
- The balls were then placed onto the cast, pressed down and slightly blended out.
- This technique was continued over the full of the area which was being used as part of the prosthetic.
- The edges of the prosthetic which have been marked out should be blended out to allow a smooth transition on the prosthetic to the models face.
- Once the full area was covered, The areas of detail are then starting to be outlined.
- This is achieved by adding sausages of clay to the areas which will to the focus points on the design, the image below should my prosthetic piece at this significant stage.
The next stage of the process is to refine the surface, this is finalising the shape which has be creating and preparing the surface for the detail and texture to be added. Again using the very handy 2011 prosthetic sculpting video part two by Stuart Bray- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNUf8FIVcMg. This stage of the video shows how to refine the shape which has been created without loosing the design, this then creates a softer and more realistic appearance.
As you can see from the image of the forehead the design was also slightly modified, this was due to extensive research and design plans changing. I wanted to create significant veins in the skin which would also be three dimensional as part of the sculpt. The edges of the sausages and shape created were brushed using a wire brush tool much like the video. Once all of the edges and lines were softened, I rubbed Vaseline into the surface of the clay to start to remove the tool marks are give the smooth alien like texture to the skin.
After the shape has been established and softened and then the texture of the skin smoothed, the final stage of the sculpt is adding the fine detail. Using the final 2011 prosthetic sculpt video by Stuart Bray as inspiration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaItP-1rCQI, the skin texture and finalisation of the sculpt can be created. Although I didn't want to create the exact texture if the design, I used the information and technique to create my own required texture. In addition to the three dimensional bulbous veins which have been created, I wanted the skin texture to finish with very fine ones to match with the final design plans. This will link to the storey behind the design of the creature adapting to the natural sunlight, small veins in the skin are forming as the pigments beings to develop.
Finally the finer detail was added, following the third YouTube, using a clear plastic bag and a small special effects tool. The plastic bag was lay over each area of the face and fine lines and veins were added travelling up the face. Once happy with the detail created, using a large powder brush translucent powder was applied over the sculpt to highlight the detail and allow it to become more visible to identify if additional detail needed to be added.
I am incredibly proud of the final design of the sculpt and the progress made throughout the stages of developing the final piece. Following Stuart Bay's YouTube videos divided into three easy stages has made the process much easier to manger due to never having sculpted before. I feel the final design of the sculpt matches and has all the aspects to follow the character being created for the final piece. The next stage of the process it to mould the sculpt for a final time to make to prosthetic for the assessment, this can be found on the 'moulding part 2' page of the blog.
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