Backyard FX
Build Plans: How to create aging make-up
How to create aging make-up
by Erik Beck
Hey everyone and welcome to the technical blog for Episode#10 (aging make-up). Wow...10 episodes...we're getting old, but not old enough. So this week we're showing you how to elderly.
WARNING: SOME PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC TO LATEX. ALWAYS TEST A SMALL AMOUNT ON YOUR SUBJECTS ARM BEFORE APPLYING TO THE FACE.
Shopping List
-
Stipple Latex.
(Three different kinds, see note below.)
- Crepe Hair.
(Grey or white.) - Flesh tone powder.
(Slightly more pale then your subjects complexion is best, but any flesh tone should work.) - Multi-Color make-up kit.
(This is my go to make-up kit, which I use for everything and is actually an "Aging Kit".) -
Application sponge.
(I had some extra foam from the puppet episode, which I cut into little triangles.)
-
Spirit gum.
(You should always have some of this on hand...great stuff.)
-
Old man clothes.
(For our project: Fishing hat, tight pants, lame flannel shirt.)
Notes on Stipple Latex
Ok, so on the show I said there are two types of stipple latex, but actually there are three. The one I used on the show, which is , is actually called "Old Skin Plast" or "OSM". This is apparently more heavy duty then the pre-made "Old Age Stipple", which costs only . Both of these can be bought here or at some costume shops. Lastly I found a recipe to make your own stipple latex using liquid latex and other ingredients here. However, this formula is kind of complicated. When I found out you can get the pre-made stuff for only I decided I wouldn't make it from scratch.
The wrinkles
Always have your subject test the latex you are using on their arm. If they do not have an allergic reaction you can proceed, but have them wash their face first. Creating wrinkles is a simple process, but one which you'll have to repeat several times. The key areas to focus on are the bottom and sides of the eyes, the cheeks, and around the nose. If you're not going to use a beard then you'll want to add wrinkles around the mouth too. Starting from around the eyes, have your subject stretch the area of skin to be "wrinkled" as much as possible. While they are holding their skin tight, apply a thin, AND EVEN, layer of stipple latex. Allow this dry (it doesn't take long) and apply a thin layer of powder.
When you release the stretched skin you should see some wrinkles have formed. They will be small at first, but layer after layer you will start to see deeper wrinkles forming.
The Beard
For the beard I used good old spirit gum and crepe hair. Some people take a lot of time prepping there crepe hair before applying, but I just unwind it and rough it up a bit with my hands. Apply a generous amount of spirit gum to any place you want the beard to stick. Try and avoid applying it to hair like side burns and eye brow. I apply my beards in three pieces. A mustache piece and two side pieces. After they are good and stuck a stretch, pull and trim it until it looks somewhat natural.
The make-up
Using my "aging kit" I start with a dark layer around the eyes which spreads to enhance some of the deeper wrinkles made by the latex. Then I take out some of the harshness by adding small amounts of lighter colors. Once I'm satisfied with the highlighted wrinkles I added a thin layer of powder to take away some of the shininess.
The clothes
This and the way your actor moves and talks is really going to sell this effect. We used a fishing had, tight pants (hiked up passed the belly bottun of course) and a bad flannel shirt.
That's pretty much it. Let us know if you have any questions by commenting to this blog or emailing me.
Check out this build in action, from Episode 10 of Backyard FX
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