New, damp molds should be sealed with wax before applying GM Foam Mold release. An effective wax sealer can be made using Johnson’s Paste Wax (or any carnauba wax) that has been thinned with 99 percent isopropyl alcohol. We use a ration of 4 parts alcohol to 1 part wax. Liquid latex and other ingredients […]

All foam latex systems are a combination of natural latex (concentrated sap of rubber trees), a soap to make the foam whip up to desired volume (foaming agent), a vulcanizer (curing agent), and a coagulant (gelling agent). Some of the ingredients are extremely safe, such as the foaming agent, and others are toxic. Both the […]

by Gil Mosko To make a gypsum mold, the mold maker needs to take a life cast of the actor and reproduce his or her face in gypsum (the positive mold). The most popular type of gypsum is Ultracal 30 from United States Gypsum, which is bought in 100-pound bags, or in smaller amounts from […]

Many companies sell pre-made gelatin blocks that come in a variety of colors which you can use “as is.” As well, many provide a clear block that you can add your own colorants to. This would be the best place for any Makeup Artist to start until you understand the processes and the medium. Gelatin […]

by Kenny Myers The information contained within the context of this article is presented in good faith. The responsibility for the use of any material in special makeup effects rests solely with the user. The author assumes no responsibility for the use, or misuse, of any material, technique, or informational content discussed within this article. […]

by Christien Tinsley Some of the wonderful attributes these prosthetics offer are undetectable blended edges, translucency (so they look like flesh when a proper tone is mixed), and incredible tenacity to hold during the long day of a shoot. In order to set up for a prosthetic transfer application, I first like to prep my […]

by Smooth-On Many products on the market are used for mold making. Most use a variety of flexible rubber products. These products can mimic fine details, are easy to remove from the original piece being cast, and can be used over and over again, which makes these products cost effective. The following rubber products are […]

Follow these steps to clean your airbrush: 1. Pour any leftover color back into its container. 2. Rinse and wipe color cup or bottle assembly clean. To backflush color from the airbrush, keep bottle assembly or color cup attached.   PRO TIP Bradley Look says: "Spray excess air­brush cleaning product into a cleaning pot, sometimes […]

There are a few situations where you need to be properly set up to do touch-ups while shooting outdoors and for more elaborate makeups. Talk with someone ahead of time to see if it is possible to have a small tent or cover that can be put up. Set up your equipment, chairs, or small […]