cuts/scars- Sue's SFX lesson

In this lesson with Sue, she taught us how to create special effects cuts and scars using various materials. I loved this lesson and even though my first attempt wasnt perfect, i discovered that I love special effects and think I want to specialise in it next year. I just think its so much fun and it allows you to be so creative!

• Prep the area you are going to work on by cleaning the area and then apply a layer of krayolan barrier cream. 
• Using a pallete knife, scrape out the amount of cinewax that you require and then warm it in your hands. This will make the product easier to move and mould.
• Apply the wax to the skin, blending out carefully with a pallete knife, making sure to get rid of any harsh/obvious edges. Using the same knife, make a slit in the thickest part of the wax. This is more realistic as the actual cut will always be the most raised area.
• Once happy with the wound you have created, apply a layer of liquid latex- use a hair dryer to on a cool setting, and wait for the latex to turn from white to clear. 
• Using the foundation pallete, cover the whole area with a colour suited to the model.
• Using different shades of red,pinks and purples shade the area to make it look sore. Do a small amount of colour at a time and remember to use several different shades, sometimes less is more, even with special effects!
• Use wound filler and blood to fill the wound, or place wherever you feel looks realistic. 

My wound didnt go completely to plan.. i think i tried to open to wound too much when i made the slit, and it ended up cracking. Sue suggested that i just turned this bit into a flappy bit of skin, so all was not lost! I just added more wound filler and blood to cover this mistake. I really enjoyed this lesson and will definitely be practicing this in my own time.

Products used:

• Cleanser and toner.
• Krayolan barrier foam.
• Cinewax
• liquid latex
• supracolour pallete
• wound filler
• blood
• pallete knife
• stipple sponges
• various art brushes.

 Health and safety:

• Before I do anything, I make sure that my brushes have been sufficiently cleaned with  Isopropyl alcohol to prevent bacteria spreading.

• I covered my work station with couch roll to ensure that I had a clean space to put all my products and tools onto.
•   I covered my model with a gown so that no product would fall  onto her clothing.
•   Before starting the makeup I asked my model if she had any skin diseases or medical conditions that i should be aware of. I also asked if she was wearing contact lenses, as some products will irritate them.
•  I washed my hands with soap and water to prevent bacteria transferring.
• I decanted any product onto the back of my clean hand, to prevent double dipping and again preventing any bacteria from the models face being transferred into my make up.