My 2009 Groundbreakers

**SKAustin** · 11-23-2009,09:56 AM

I'm new to the forum here, and Ive been checking out all the great props everyone's been making. I figure I might as well share a few of my own. Here are the 3 Groundbreaker Corpses I made for this years Haunt.

**DaveintheGrave** · 11-23-2009,10:02 AM

Those are some creepy looking groundbreakers! Nice work.
The tombstones look very realistic also!

**Nightmare_trance** · 11-23-2009,10:03 AM

Very cool twist on them. They look amazing!!!

**caju12831** · 11-23-2009,10:15 AM

Can you tell us how you made them, what did you use to make the skin? Are those false teeth?

**savagehaunter** · 11-23-2009,10:45 AM

I like how you have exposed ribs. very realistic. the tombstones are also very realistic. Nice job.

**Baron Samedi** · 11-23-2009,12:31 PM

Very nice, SK...
Do feel free to share your techniques with us.....

**halloween71** · 11-23-2009,01:05 PM

Great detailing!!

**SKAustin** · 11-23-2009,01:22 PM

Thanks all for the compliments.

@ caju12831, The Skulls on these were those $5 Glow-in-the-Dark skulls that Spirit Halloween (as well as Spencer Gifts and several party supply stores) sells every year. I use 2x2 pine for the backbone, scrap plywood for the base, and tightly rolled newspaper for the ribcage, arms and neck with wire coat hangars for added support.

As for the skin, Its all done with Paper Mache and duct tape. First I do a layer of skin with the duct tape, then 2-3 layers of newspaper mache, then the details are done with paper mache using wal-mart brand 2 ply paper towels. It's hard to explain my process without showing it, but I'm planning to add a video How-To series on it to my website.

I guess the best way to explain it is, after several layers of muscle (twisted long thin strips of 2-ply), I seperate the plys on larger pieces of paper towel, lay them over the muscle, then rip and smear it around.