Haven't you always wondered how movie monsters end up looking so convincing? Well this instructable is to show anyone who has ever wondered, the basics of monster movie makeup. In this instructable, I created a zombie out of monster movie makeup. Zombie movies have always been my favourite, and I've always been curious as to how they were created. I looked into it, and found that the project really wasn't that difficult at all. Some things that came up that I had to change were the materials. I didn't have everything that I needed, so I had to improvise. The project itself was really a matter of blending colours until I got the colour I wanted. It was really just a matter of adding layers of colour until I was happy with the result. Of course I couldn't do it alone, it wouldn't have been possible without my awesome assistant who volunteered to be covered with makeup. I created my zombie at school to have access to the green screen and animation programs on the computers. What I learned from this project is that even if you don't have everything you need material wise, things can always be substituted in if you're creative enough. I also learned that even if things don't look the way that you originally planned, if you keep trying you'll get a good result. I am proudest of the blend of colours I created with the different shades of makeup. I t turned out better than I had hoped. If I were to do this project again, I would probably make sure I had more convincing materials instead of trying to improvise what I didn't have.

Depending on the time of year, monster makeup can be really easy to find. Any time near Halloween, you'll find fake blood and costume makeup everywhere. Other parts of the year, the find becomes trickier. Since Halloween makeup doesn't really go bad, and you won't be wearing it very long regardless, you can use some that has been saved from the Halloween holiday. Otherwise, go check out the nearest Halloween or party store to you. In the absence of fake blood, red tempura paint mixed with black makeup works just as well, or even simply red food colouring, which can be found in pretty much any food or convenience store.

Step 1: Materials

The materials are basic and can be altered depending on what you have. The first step was the white face makeup. This can be purchased at any store that sells Halloween costumes and makeups. Fake scars come in pre made kits for costumes as well as liquid latex. If you don't have any fake scars, you can add texture to skin by ripping up small pieces of toilet paper. In the absence of fake blood, tempura paint mixed with black makeup seems to be a good substitute or even red food colouring. albeit that can stain the skin. Just like the white, black and brown coloured makeups can be purchased at any Halloween store, or store that sells costumes. Dark eye shadow also works for creating depth and lines in the absence of costume makeup.

Step 2:

The first step to creating a zombie is to find someone who is actually willing to get their face painted.

Step 3:

Step two is to figure out whether or not you are going to be adding any extras onto your zombie before makeup i.e scars, cuts, eye covers. The liquid latex goes directly onto the skin, and the scar goes on top of it. It doesn't take too long to dry, but hold it there for a few minutes just in case.

Step 4:

White makeup is the basic coat to any movie monster. White adds highlights, and just gives a person a basic corpse feel. more white can always be added later if it gets covered up. The trick to white makeup is to blend it into the face thoroughly, nothing looks worse than badly blended makeup. This is when you would want to create new scars, red liner works well for this. When applying the red, try not to smudge the white too much, you want it to stand out.

Step 5:

After the base coat, you're going to want to add some texture to your zombie. Face masks, or even ripped up pieces of toilet paper add texture. You want your zombie to look like it has been rotting. Gross

Step 6:

After your zombie gets some undead texture, you're going to want to add black. Black adds depth and shadow to your zombie, and always looks great around the eye. To add colour also blend into parts of the cheek.

Step 7:

After black, you're going to want to make the colours blend a little better. This is when you add browns and greens to take away a little of the dramatic contrast between the white and the black. Remember to blend the colours, now that there are more than one. Badly blended makeup stands out more. Remember teeth can be added in any time.

Step 8:

Once you have achieved the colour blend you want, it's time for blood. Remember that more makeup can always be added after. Fake blood always works best, but unless it's near Halloween, it can be hard to come by. Red tempura paint or red food colouring are good substitutes as long as they are mixed with a bit of black makeup to tone down the dramatic shade of red those products tend to come in.

Step 9:

If your zombie is not looking the way you want at this point, add more makeup. blend the red colouring into the cheeks and around the mouth. If you need to add more texture, do so, but remember that you have to cover it up afterwards. You can always keep adding makeup until the colour seems right. It's all a matter of what you think looks the most convincing.

Step 10:

If you think your zombie needs a bit of a more dramatic feel, add red lipstick. The best kind would be the liquid coloured gloss, as this smears better and looks more like blood. It is not recommended that you use actual lipstick, as the look wouldn't be right. Your zombie probably won't agree to this, but it adds a good end product.

Step 11:

You can use sponges and brushes or your fingers to apply the makeup, just remember that both have to be clean before use. If you use your fingers, you may get a better blend of colours as all the colours would have come in contact with them, but it's all up to your zombie and whether or not they want to be touched.