Thread: Zombie effects and liquid latex

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As a secondary/backup costume, I've gotten my hands on a tub of liquid latex, that I was planning to use to give my skin a zombiefied effect. I can get the texture effects fine, but I was wondering, what should I be doing in the way of colouring and other effects? The latex I have is pure white, although I was under the impression that it dried clear (which I now know isn't the case.) Should I colour a small amount of the latex and apply that? Can makeup be applied over the latex? Do you have any other tips for creating an effective liquid-latex-based zombie costume?

try a few drops of flesh colored (or green etc..) arcrylic paint from crafts store?

Mmmhmm...

Also, another question, how should the latex be applied? (eg. thickly, thinly...)

Originally Posted by Flay

Mmmhmm...

Also, another question, how should the latex be applied? (eg. thickly, thinly...)

I would think you'd want to build it up in thin layers(unless you are casting from a mold of course!)

A couple things about working with liquid latex. First, safety - Liquid latex contains ammonium as a thinning agent. Be VERY careful if applying it around your eyes as it can blind you.

With latex, you'll want to apply very thin layers as it takes forever to set up and dry. One way that I found helps is to brush very lightly on your face a thin layer of latex and then lay on top of it about 2 inch chunks of single ply toilet paper (layed flat) then, with the same brush apply more latex to the toilet paper area to "wet" the paper with the latex. When your face is ready, puff up your cheeks and hit your face with a hair dryer (not litterally) until the goo is dry. Deflate your cheeks and you'll have a tonne of wrinkles all over your face. Finish up by applying a makeup base - I use a skin tone and then apply over it the whiter, greyer, greener and "rigo" colours!!

Good luck - hope this helps

Thanks for the tips, I know what I was doing wrong now. I was practicing a little this afternoon (with makeup and fake blood) and it really does look amazing! I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of fun with this stuff.

Quicky tutorial:
Make sure to "set" the final creation with powder (makeup powder or baby/cornstarch) once all your latex & makeup is on. Also, if you tend to sweat off of your face, your latex will reactivate and become whitish and gummy again. If this happens, DO NOT ToUCH IT or it will goob off. I like to build up thin layers & let them almost totally dry & then peel layers off and let them hang, and then dab red (I use bruise/death colorstack from some professional makeup company...) and purple into the areas where the makeup has peeled off. You can also use gummy worms cut into shorter lengths and toned down in color with makeup.Yes, you can glue them onto your skin, you just need to use spirit gum instead of latex. I never used tissue as I didn't have time to fart around- my makeup usually took me 1 1/2 hours. Make sure to use a hairdryer set on cool to speed up the drying process or you will be doing your latex work forever. I used to do up[ my face, put on a welding cap liner (it is a tight fitting flannel skullcap), work gloves, an old barn coat and big boots. I scared the poo out of many a kid. You just need to work with latex to find out how to use it. Make sure to leave yourself TIME to take all the latex off when you are done. It will tkae a while, trust me. You will be picking that crap off your skin for a while. And keep it away from your hair! It hurts like hell to pick it out of your hair & will just pull it off.

Ive been learning to use latex, as I made a quick mold of a skull by painting liquid latex on and layering with cheesecloth to reifnorce it. Kind of tricky stuff at first, but once you get the hang of it, its pretty easy(or perhaps Ive been lucky?) Well, best of luck to ya buddy!

Can anyone advise me on how to create sheets of liquid latex to apply to a skull model? I thought I remembered someone saying apply to a lightly greased piece of tin foil. Any ideas?

I've had success with waxed paper, myself.