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If your goal is to have a very sturdy, production ready piece - using a mold that can cast many copies then a matrix mold, silicone for the detail and plaster/fiberglass/shell shock plastic material for the outer shell would be a method. This is the method that Stan Winston Studios used for the practical facial armor pieces in Iron Man.

The key to remember is if your final product is firm/rigid, like hard plastic - you need a "soft based' mold at the detail layer. If your looking for a soft final product (silicone/latex) then fiberglass or stone based molds usually fit the bill.
If you do use a rigid/hard mold material and you want a rigid/hard final piece, it is very likely your going to encounter a mold lock - or at the best a one time pull after the destruction of the mold (if your lucky!).

"Mark Alfrey's Standard Molds and Castings" may be a decent way to introduce some of the mold making concepts for this item or other future projects in one hit. Its essentially a video of Mold maker Pedro Valdez (well known FX mold maker) making a couple examples for hard or soft final products (latex mask or resin statue - that could also be used for a hard plastic helm!).

You would make or purchase an armature Here is one of the best there is that you can buy, of if you can volunteer someone competent it would great to get a head cast of yourself however - certain materials shrink a bit, depending on casting material keep this into account. If this is your first round purchase a durable, high quality armature to eliminate a lot of frustration. Build up clay to account for fitting and sculpt the face, then use the mold making techniques to create a long lasting and reusable mold. If all goes well you would be able to make and paint up as many masks as you like, the return of a good mold.

For materials of casting resin, plastic for the mask - silicone and other mold materials you should check out Smooth-On's products. They have a lot of tutorials and phone support to point you in the right direction.
Hope this helps, good luck! DeathStroke is awesome

*edit - if using silicone mold you MUST use a sulfur free clay like chavant NSP or highly recommended Monster clay (Rick Baker loves this stuff). Sulfur in oil clay from craft stores like "Michael's", etc - like roma plastilina will destroy your silicone mold, silicone will never dry if it touches sulfur- this is why the industry moved to the items listed above (or the always awesome WED clay!).

I've learned a lot through books and Youtube.

• I checked this book out at the library
  
  
• This channel explains the lifecasting process in detail so you can create a plaster mold of your face and start sculpting appliances on that.
  
  
• [This guy is a brilliant sculpter] (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKZTt3ilM0Ry1YgN0ZJG7nw). Watch his level of detail and how he sculpts and blends appliances.
  
  
• This lady doesn't use professional products, but she's so creative with what she's got!
  
  
• This channel has a lot of information about sculpting and creating silicone and gelatin appliances.
  
  
• This channel is all about special fx.
  
  It's not a special fx course at a fancy school, but it's the next best thing. You can definitely teach yourself a lot by watching and recreating. Read some articles on the special fx wiki to learn products and terms. If you need some more sources, let me know! Have fun!

Depends on what she already has, but if she doesn't have any of the following, she might like it.

• Skin Illustrator palettes
  
• Airbrush and compressor (I really like Iwata)
  
• Airbrush makeup (Dinair is pretty good for beauty, Skin Illustrator for FX)
  
• Atlas of Human Anatomy book
  
• Sponges. Wedges, red, stipple <-- even if she has these, she'll need more
  
  edit: You can probably find lower prices than from Amazon, and you can get aquarium filters to cut up for the stipple sponges.

this Is what you would use, its awesome. If you can get your hands on some, apply it liberaly to the prosthetic, face, neck and under your baldcap hairline(skin). Wait until is dries completely clear and is tacky to the touch and apply your prosthetic. This stuff should keep your prosthetic on all night.

For removal, get some bond off and a bunch of qtips. Go slow and gently and your face will thank you later.

PS> Apply a light coating of Vasaline to your eyebrows to save your eyebrows

Get some of these.

Melt a couple down and mix in some of this.

You can let it cool and melt it later, or use right away. Apply it with a popsicle stick. It should retain a nice sheen and stay in place much of the day. Make sure your skin is nice and clean before applying it.

skin illustrator is hella expensive for beginners. probably PPI on set would make it better as its a bit smaller and cheaper. 80$ vs 55$. (cream paints work for wax as well)
liquid latex, some scar wax, spatula, petrolium jelly, sfx gelatin.... lots of stuff needed to be honest %)
I would recommend Mehron sfx kit for the starting point https://www.amazon.com/Mehron-KSPFX-Special-FX-Kit/dp/B00GS8GJ6C

I bought these in black and white to start:

http://www.amazon.com/Mehron-Liquid-Face-Paint-Makeup/dp/B008NCXJ5K/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_y

Ever used them? It's only an oz but I'm hoping a little goes a long way. Plus since it's paint maybe I won't need so many layers? I also looked into wolfe FX (Holy crap so pricey for so little!). I didn't find as many results for alcohol activated paints/makeup but from what I've read they sound ideal. Also do you know what kind of makeup skin illustrator is? I saw it on SFXwarehouse and I see people talk about it here a lot, but is it just a high quality cream pallet?

For something simple like this, I use childrens adhesive eye bandages. Here's an example, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UJ2SUK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_MAqlub1HVTDZ0. I am sure they have them at your grocery store or pharmacy :)

Have you tried 3rd degree? It is a lot easier to work with. Latex is hard keep up the good work https://www.amazon.com/3rd-Degree-Silicone-Prosthetic-Simulation/dp/B01CHMTKEK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=3rd+degree+silicone&qid=1562373876&s=gateway&sprefix=3rd+d&sr=8-3

What about something like this? I️ used one for Halloween, and it’s actually very convincing from a distance

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UTJ1I6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zCFaAbZ3FZRWH

Others have the standard stuff covered, If she really wants to get into it she will probabaly want to sculpt and mold here own prosthetics.

Online subscription to [prosthetics magazine]
(https://www.prostheticsmagazine.co.uk/)

Techniques of Three-Dimensional Make-Up.

Sulpting tools, Chavant clay (I prefer NSP Medium), Hydrocal plaster / Plaster of Paris ( for mold making)

Prosthetics gelatin More info here

Hope this helps!

One last question; what type of brush should i use with the FX palette? Can i use regular ones like these or should i go for a specific kind?

I highly recommend Special Makeup Effects by Todd Debreceni. It's a little pricey, but worth it if you ask me.

Maybe this one? Depends on what you're looking for. (On mobile, forgive any weird formatting) :http://www.amazon.com/Mehron-KSPFX-Special-FX-Kit/dp/B00GS8GJ6C

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Link: "Mark Alfrey's Standard Molds and Castings"


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Canada|amazon.ca|




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Bruise wheel
scar wax

If she doesn't already have it then this book is invaluable to have as an sfx artist
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/024081696X/ref=pd_aw_sims_2?pi=SY115&simLd=1

This is the second edition which basically has everything the first did plus much more!

This picture also shows contacts and fangs. Any suggestions for where to get the contacts? I already decided to go with these fangs, but I'm not sure if you can use 2 sets and use one on your bottom teeth.

This should get a repost on /r/trypophobia. That being said, maybe adding some fake bees? Here is a quick link to some craft bees from amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fake-Bee-Artificial-Craft-Bees/dp/B008PDA5X6/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt