Thread: Cheap rip off of Mizerellas' grave keeper

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I was simply amazed by seeing Mizerellas Grave keeper and wanted to do one myself. However, I quickly realized I didn't have the skills required to do so. Just getting my head wrapped around the work involved in sculpting a face complete with teeth and tongue had me perplexed. So.....


I decided to use her tutorial as a guide to build a simpler version of my own. I decided to buy a cheap latex mask and accessorize it a little. I added glasses and a top hat. It wasn't drastically involved, but I am into it for roughly 15 hours at this point.




It isn't yet complete. I still have to add paper mache to the neck and chest area and do the paint work. However, I am feeling there is some light at the end of the tunnel.




I built a similar PVC frame as Mizerella had done. I ended up making both hands, one arm and one leg removable to allow for wardrobe changes. (the wire hoop is just an experiment and was ditched shortly after this pic was taken)




The PVC frame completed and the start of adding chicken wire, stuffing and pool noodles to the extremities. I later realized I was not completely happy with the angles of the frame/skeleton and used a propane torch to shape the PVC into a more realistic appearance.




Not wanting to do a TON of paper mache work, I decided on using Duct tape on the majority of the limbs and torso. I used this same approach on a gravebreaker that I built about 6 years ago that is still holding strong today, even after a ton of abuse.

You can see where I used a pool noodle as a basis for the neck and stretched an old tee shirt over it to give me a nice smooth transition from neck to shoulders. Once this area is covered in paper mache and painted it should look pretty authentic. Important as the costume doesn't fully cover this area. The mask also makes a pretty nice transition into the neck and looks acceptable when viewed from all sides.




I built my hands slightly different than Mizzerella had done. I attempted her version but found it difficult to get the looks and shape I wanted. I opted to wrap napkins in masking tape, (think cigarette or cigar). I was then able to pick and choose more easily where the knuckles and bends would happen. The kincking of the material made for an erie looking semi skeletal hand.



After first coat of paper mache



The mask and accessories. I ended up stuffing the inside with a black plastic garbage bag which filled out the shape and made the mouth appear more realistic.




Lantern that I placed a battery operated flicker light inside. I don't need the fire department showing up!





Semi completed. Pics to follow after paint and final details.



SHMO

Great job.

Looks great. I think a natural pose makes things so much more convincing. You've nailed it!

Very very good indeed! You did a great job on him and thanks for posting the how to pics. I have another prop to complete and it is nice to see how one can make the torso over the pvc pipe!

Very nicely done.

I agree with the others. The pose is very cool

Brilliant, the pose is fantastic. Your daughters a little cutie too

Awesome job Hopefully some day I'll get the talent and nerve up to try something like that.

Thanks for the compliments, but I feel it takes more time than talent.

I got another coat of Paper Mache on last night. I tried the "other" approach and used elmers / water and phone book pages. It went down really nice, but doesn't seem to be giving me the rigidity that I was hoping for. Any tips or tricks that anyone can offer a rookie Paper Machier? I'm itching to get it done so I can move on to paint and accessories.

SHMO

He is most ghastly...