Hey everyone,
If you've made indie films, you've probably though about making (or made) a zombie movie. I don't know why, but zombies are an irresistible gem in the lexicon of potential movie subjects (not to mention Halloween costumes).
Watch our video to see in action the steps to make Zombie makeup. And if you enjoy it, subscribe to our itunes and visit our site.
As always we invite viewers to improve our design and send us video clips of your projects. All you have to do is upload, and you could be featured in our monthly user submitted podcast.
Well first things first. Here's the shopping list:
1. Liquid Latex (flesh tone).
(You should be able to buy this at any decent costume shop, or you can get it online at places like http://www.liquidlatexworld.com/ )
2. Toilet Paper.
(Or "Bathroom Tissue" for all you people who are afraid to say "toilet".)
3. A Basic, multi-color make-up kit.
(I used a 5 color "aging kit" that I bought at a costume shop, but you could use any make-up as long as it has some flesh tones, reds, and maybe some greens. It all depends on how "dead" you want your zombie to look.)
4. White face cream.
(This is going to be the base of almost any movie make-up you'll do. It's like primer for your effect. You can get this at ANY costume shop.)
A few warnings...
First things first, when working with liquid latex you need to make sure your actor/actress is not allergic. Apply a small patch to the under side of their forearm and wait at least 15 minutes to see if it gets red and swollen. Most people are not allergic, but you don't want a pissed off actor with a red and puffy face in your life...believe me! Now that you know your subject is allergy free, have them wash there face, then put their hair back with something. Also men (or women I guess) should shave all excess hair off their face. Eyebrows are OK, but a beard or some stubble is really going to be painful when you try and remove the latex. Latex in your hair is a very bad thing. Heed these few warnings and your zombie make-up will go much smoother.
If you've made indie films, you've probably though about making (or made) a zombie movie. I don't know why, but zombies are an irresistible gem in the lexicon of potential movie subjects (not to mention Halloween costumes).
Watch our video to see in action the steps to make Zombie makeup. And if you enjoy it, subscribe to our itunes and visit our site.
As always we invite viewers to improve our design and send us video clips of your projects. All you have to do is upload, and you could be featured in our monthly user submitted podcast.
Well first things first. Here's the shopping list:
1. Liquid Latex (flesh tone).
(You should be able to buy this at any decent costume shop, or you can get it online at places like http://www.liquidlatexworld.com/ )
2. Toilet Paper.
(Or "Bathroom Tissue" for all you people who are afraid to say "toilet".)
3. A Basic, multi-color make-up kit.
(I used a 5 color "aging kit" that I bought at a costume shop, but you could use any make-up as long as it has some flesh tones, reds, and maybe some greens. It all depends on how "dead" you want your zombie to look.)
4. White face cream.
(This is going to be the base of almost any movie make-up you'll do. It's like primer for your effect. You can get this at ANY costume shop.)
A few warnings...
First things first, when working with liquid latex you need to make sure your actor/actress is not allergic. Apply a small patch to the under side of their forearm and wait at least 15 minutes to see if it gets red and swollen. Most people are not allergic, but you don't want a pissed off actor with a red and puffy face in your life...believe me! Now that you know your subject is allergy free, have them wash there face, then put their hair back with something. Also men (or women I guess) should shave all excess hair off their face. Eyebrows are OK, but a beard or some stubble is really going to be painful when you try and remove the latex. Latex in your hair is a very bad thing. Heed these few warnings and your zombie make-up will go much smoother.
Step 1: The base layer
First thing you do is apply a thin, but even layer of liquid latex to the subjects face. This will be our base layer. Wait 15 minute for it to dry. You'll notice that as liquid latex dries it turns mostly clear.
Step 2: The TP stage
Next comes the toilet paper or "TP". What is so amazing is that you can make a lot of different skin effects with just TP and liquid latex. For this particular zombie I made the cheeks look all wrinkly and dead, and (as you'll see below) an open gash on his forehead. But you can do a lot more by just playing with these two elements. The more you add to you subjects face the more you have to play with and make gross looking.
For the gross looking cheeks I put a single layer of TP on each cheek, then using a liberal amount of liquid latex I sealed them to my actor's face. Allow to dry.
For the gross looking cheeks I put a single layer of TP on each cheek, then using a liberal amount of liquid latex I sealed them to my actor's face. Allow to dry.
Step 3: Blending the layers
So now you have some gross looking white skin on your actor's face and you need to blend everything together. Start with a base layer of white cream make-up. Don't worry when you actor starts looking like a mime with leprosy, the white make-up just acts like a primer to build the rest of the color.
Step 4: The gash
Now go and rip open that extra "flesh" we built up on the forehead. You might have to get the tear started with something sharp, so please be very careful. Open up the gash in an irregular pattern and fold back the extra flesh to reveal your actors real skin. Then fill in the inside of the wound with really dark make-up. I just mixed red and black. This should create a really cool looking wound.
Step 6: Blending...
We're almost done. The last few layers of make-up are all about blending until it looks right. I started with a base color that was slightly more red then regular flesh tone, but really I feel zombies come in all shapes, sizes and colors. After the base color I started gradually adding more colors until it "looked gross". A good rule (which I break here) is to start with the lightest color and move darker. Take a look at the photos to get an idea of what I did.
That's basically it. If you want the total zombie experience go to your local thrift store, buy some old dress clothes and ruin them! Rip them, wrinkle them, rub them in the dirt. Your gross zombie make-up and fresh from the grave clothes will make a great addition to the league of the living dead.
That's basically it. If you want the total zombie experience go to your local thrift store, buy some old dress clothes and ruin them! Rip them, wrinkle them, rub them in the dirt. Your gross zombie make-up and fresh from the grave clothes will make a great addition to the league of the living dead.
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This posting has won today's "I Made It" Challenge. For winning you will receive a 3 month pro membership!
Thanks for using instructables!
http://www.instructables.com/community/I-Made-It-Challenge-Is-Back-Win-A-Pro-Membership/
it'll come in handy tonight! :-D
Thanks for making this!
I'm also going to include a site on surviving the (inevitable) zombie apocalypse and Zombie Ipsum, the lorem ipsum alternative for the undead. http://www.zombieipsum.com
hopefully I win this shirt from them :D
thanks again!
mine does as well...
o have found a cool link for latex, zombie, haloween mask
please check out interested Latex Masks.