[Chops6965]

Hello all you scary people!

I recently started making my first ground breaker ever. I have not done a tutorial for it since I am following the tutorial done by Spooky Blue (which you can find using this link http://www.spookyblue.com/halloween/groundbreaker/groundbreaker1.htm)

Here are the pics:


This is after I have the basic shape to my liking. One tip, if you intend to do an arm reaching out like I have, use a short piece of PVC pipe for the upper arm (it supports the rest of the arm better than just newspaper)

EDIT: I had to make the whole left arm using PVC covered in newspaper. Rolled up newspaper just isn't strong enough to support the entire arm at that length.


This is a styrofoam skull I got at Michaels. I was hoping for a resin skull but beggars can't be choosers, right? lol


I wanted the skull to have an open mouth so I got out a tiny saw blade and my exacto knife and did some plastic surgery. I think I might attach the jaw so it hangs loose on one side (a creepier look I think).


And here he is after getting his first coating of paper mache. I might do a second coat or go straight to paint. I'll post some more pictures when I have made some more progress.

I appreciate any and all comments and tips you may have.

Thanks!

 

[Oak Lane Cemetery]

Looking good so far.

 

[DoctorGrim]

That looks mighty fine. I'm sure Spooky Blue would be proud.

 

[Immortalia]

Great work so far. I have been considering using one of my more "seasoned" blucky's that has joint issues for something like this. Last year I just used very thin metal dowels hidden in grass to support his chest and reaching arm to make him look like he was crawling out of my graveyard.... One of these days I'll actually get around to loading pics.

Are you planning on corpsing him at some point? I'm very curious to see how your build goes so I have a good direction for my own. Awww, you're my Gory Inspiration!!

 

[Chops6965]

Are you planning on corpsing him at some point? I'm very curious to see how your build goes so I have a good direction for my own. Awww, you're my Gory Inspiration!!

I'm not sure how much corpsing I will be doing. At this point I'm thinking I might just paint him a disgusting color and give him a nice dry brushing with white to bring out some detail. I'll be sure to post pics either way.

"You're my gory inspiration"....that's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me! Thanks!

 

[SonofJoker]

Looks awesome so far! I always love it when a corpse or groundbreaker is reaching or doing something other than just sitting there. Can't wait to see more!

 

[Pumpkin5]

That looks great! And thanks for posting your tips along with your build. That gives everyone the benefit of your build process and those tips are priceless.

 

[Chops6965]

Thanks for all the nice comments, it's really encouraging.

I got out my can of mis-tinted paint to give him some color and discovered that I had bought a can of stain instead of paint, the newspaper print shows right through the stain...

Oh well, my next step is to corpse my ground breaker using Spooky Blue's method (paper towels and paper mache paste). My hope is that the white paper towels will cover over the news print and the stain will make it look all brown and disgusting. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[SonofJoker]

Oh yeah, between the paper towels and the stain, you won't be able to see the newsprint. I've used that technique myself on my first corpse.

http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/sonofjoker-albums-undead-dead-corpses-picture154236-dscf6270.jpg

You just may have to go with a darker stain or if you use a lighter stain, you might have to do a few coats if there is any spots that bleed through. I think for mine in the link I used a dark walnut stain. But I can't wait to see your progress!

 

[crazy xmas]

Looking great nice work!

 

[Phantom Blue]

Good work....love the pose!

 

[Chops6965]

Thanks Joker, I finished covering him in paper towels earlier today. I should be able to put a coat of stain on him tomorrow after I get home from work.

I think you're right, the towels covered the newsprint pretty well and the paper mache paste I used is sort of brown so it helps cover it. We'll see...da da duuummmmm....lol

 

[Old Man Bakke]

Oh YEAH!...ground breakers on the cheap! Love it...

Might wanna post a final pic here to http://www.halloweenforum.com/groups/groundbreakers-corpsing-group.html

 

[Old Man Bakke]

Oh, and if you haven't tried already ....try the Viva (I think that's the one) paper towels...they are ridiculously awesome!!

The ones that the Dirty Jobs on Discovery endorses...Mike...? something

 

[MC HauntDreams]

Looks great! Post more pics as you make progress.

 

[xxScorpion64xx]

Awesome work..... why do we even need to buy props when DIY is so much better and satisfying

 

[lizzyborden]

Looking good and I do love the pose. My first one is still armless as I'm still trying to decide on a pose.

 

[Dr.Kreepy]

Very Nice!

 

[Immortalia]

Any updates on your progress???? <Eagerly watching my notifications>

 

[Chops6965]

Any updates on your progress???? <Eagerly watching my notifications>

Ask and ye shall receive!!


Here he is with a coat of the stain I got (that I though was paint, lol)


Here's a close up of the skull. The hanging jaw bone is intentional, I thought it gave it a creepier look...I still need to do some detail painting.


This is a close up of the right hand. A critter (probably a rat) gnawed that hole in the top but I decided to leave it because it looked kinda cool. Now I need to decide how to paint it so it looks like a corpse wound and not a fresh wound...any suggestions?

For the final paint job I think I might dry brush him with some white and then with some glow in the dark paint. My friend is going to lend me his big UV light and I think my corpse will look creepy with the glow in the dark dry brushing.

Thanks to everyone for all their comments along the way!!