Wrinkle Stipple
Wrinkle Stipple- special effects and filmmaking
I am going to age one of my actors using liquid latex and i was wondering if anyone had tips on adding and removing the latex.
You can apply it with a stipple sponge. Just be careful not to dab the sponge on top of latex that has begun to dry since the latex forms a skin as it dries. The latex skin could tear, causing you to have to start over.
After you apply a thin stipple coat of latex to an area of the person's face, you will have to stretch their skin a little so that after the latex dried and you release tension on the skin, wrinkles will form. Only do one area of the face at a time. Example: under the eye and along the side of it. Then the forehead etc... Always powder the dried latex before releasing the tension on the person's skin or you risk having the latex wrinkles stick to themselves. This happens mostly on the upper eyelid. You can use baby powder on the latex or you can buy some translucent powder. It doesn't really matter. If you put the latex on thin enough, you may not need to paint it at all. Maybe just some discolorations and spots. Use rubber mask grease paint for this. Do not use ordinary grease paint or regular foundation colors since they will look dry and chalky when the latex absorbs the oils out of them.. Rubber mask grease paint is made for use on latex.
To remove the latex you can simply wet the person's face with warm soapy water and wait a minute. After that, the latex can be peeled off with no problem. You can just pull the latex off if you want without using warm soapy water but that is not very good for the skin, especially if the person wearing it has very sensative skin..
Someones gotta give morpherguy some karma...this guy has been helpful and knowledgable on just about every aspect of makeup on this board...
I'm with ya morpher... 
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**AOL IM - EyesRMaced**e-mail - dedhorse@ev1.net
Well in theory Morpherguy's explanation of the technique is correct but there is most assuredly one element that you MUST be aware of. Some lattices are ammonia based and VERY hard on the skin. As well test any latex you might be inclined to use on the inside of the forearm for any allergic reactions. Many people are allergic to latex and don't even know it. Further, if you can get a water based latex that would be better. However, if you want to use regular latex you can but one of the most widely used formulas in use today is a combination of FOAM LATEX base with other additives that enable much better adhesion. For instance, you can add most any kind of cake makeup in a small amount, ground down to it's powder form (actually cake makeup is just pressed makeup that is already in powder form but has had the moisture removed from it and under pressure, packed into the round plastic makeup containers). Also, adding Acrylic Gel Medium, thickeners such as Cab-O-Sil and talc, plus an amount of regular gelatin, some mineral oil, renders a solution that will adhere very well to the skin (for hours under sweaty conditions) and with the proper stretch technique (in logical order of application) creates a GREAT stipple latex aging routine.
If you want to see what this does, visit my web site and under the TIPS & TECHNIQUES link on the main index page, look for the Stipple Latex Aging Routine link under that and wait for the photos to load. The complete process is there and the formulas (both the light coating and the heavier coating) as well as the remover, is also there. Full explanation of the process is there. I aged this actor from his real age of 51 to nearly 80.
If you need clarification let me know directly and we'll talk through it if need be.
Good luck. This is a great and less harsh process though it's NEVER easy on the actor's skin. But you try to reduce that as much as possible.
Have fun.
FXMan
[This message has been edited by FXMan (edited 01-17-2001).]
Helpful actions are being noted.
One thing you should be aware of is that the direction you stretch various parts of the skin is important in allowing naturual looking wrinkles to form.
Dick Smith's book has a few valuable illustrations showing the proper direction to pull the skin for the various areas of the face.
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Jeff F - Moderator
Magic and FX
Amazing the Masses
Wade, thanks for the vote of confidence!
One more note on old age stipple. If you don't have any latex and you want to do some nice wrinkles on your hand, you can use Elmers glue. You know, the white glue that you use it school. We use to make our hands wrinkley all the time when we were suppose to be studying. I never tried it on my face but I bet the effect would be passable.
Thanks alot guys, you have been very helpful. FXman i will definantly take a look at your site.
No prob, Morpher....I may need your help in the future...
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