Best Of
Johnson furniture wax still good as a release for ultracal?
Hi folks,
In his video on making ultracal molds, Gary Yee said that Johnson Furniture Wax (paste wax) is a good release. Multiple Amazon reviews say the stuff has changed formulation recently? Anyone know if its still good? If you recommend some alternative, what is a vendor?
Thanks!
P.S. Very jazzed to be here...I'm kind of tired of wading through well-meaning but often poorly informed youtube videos!
In his video on making ultracal molds, Gary Yee said that Johnson Furniture Wax (paste wax) is a good release. Multiple Amazon reviews say the stuff has changed formulation recently? Anyone know if its still good? If you recommend some alternative, what is a vendor?
Thanks!
P.S. Very jazzed to be here...I'm kind of tired of wading through well-meaning but often poorly informed youtube videos!
Re: What's On Your Workbench? (Winter '21-'22)
They are adorable! I like to think of crafting with cats around as "advanced mode."
/Chris
/Chris
Re: Bulk Yak hair?
Hi @Jeffrey Mahon and @Darrell Green - I reached out to master hair artist Connie Grayson Criswell about this and this is her advice:
When we worked building gorillas & the Grinch [with Rick Baker], we used Michael Ratajczak & Co from England: http://www.ratajczak.co.uk
For a U.S. source of Yak hair, try calling Extensions Plus in Tarzana, CA: (818) 881-5611. Their website is: https://www.extensions-plus.com
When we worked building gorillas & the Grinch [with Rick Baker], we used Michael Ratajczak & Co from England: http://www.ratajczak.co.uk
For a U.S. source of Yak hair, try calling Extensions Plus in Tarzana, CA: (818) 881-5611. Their website is: https://www.extensions-plus.com
Re: Qui-Gon Jinn impersonation cosplay costume, Liam Neeson impersonation cosplay costume
Amazing work, especially for your first prosthetic! As you noted, different cameras and different lighting conditions can dramatically change how a makeup looks. It can be shocking how big a change a different camera sensor or lighting setup can have. That's why "last looks" on set are so important.
Likenesses (and noses especially) are a very difficult type of makeup, so congrats on taking on such a big challenge for your first prosthetic and having such good results!
/Chris
Likenesses (and noses especially) are a very difficult type of makeup, so congrats on taking on such a big challenge for your first prosthetic and having such good results!
/Chris
Re: Qui-Gon Jinn impersonation cosplay costume, Liam Neeson impersonation cosplay costume
One very unique thing that I learned during this was the color of a prosthetic and some makeups will change depending on the camera used. As seen above, the gelatin coloring was complete and was correct but the photos with a different camera caused it to look tan instead of matching my very pink skin tone.
Re: Qui-Gon Jinn impersonation cosplay costume, Liam Neeson impersonation cosplay costume
My apologies these are not in time order. Qui-Gon Jinn impersonation cosplay costume, Liam Neeson impersonation cosplay costume
Because I want to do in reality what some do in photoshop, I pride myself on no touchups of my costume and makeup after the original shoot. I call this form of cosplay, Scene Stealers because I am attempting to cosplay the original actor as the character. I try to find a very well known scene, pose or promotional shot where I can attempt to match the original to the point of passing it off as the original to someone who is a super fan or has a good eye for detail.
This is my first prosthetic, ever. I followed the face cast, mold, sculpt, recast process learned here at SWS to create the nose for Liam Neeson as Qui Gon. This nose was my second pour. I failed on the upper edge blending and then chose to leave it as my mark that it was me, when asked if I had "just photoshoped it". The beard is fake as well, paintbrush hairs and prosaid, another SW specialty.
Final touches was clipping out Liam and pasting in my pic with an overlay of blue to match the poster.
Zoom in and you will have plenty to critique but I am very excited about my first prosthetic and the opportunities this new skill offers for new builds. Seriously, a true joy to build and my thanks to Sw school for raising the bar.
My green screen pose shows how much fake beard was still needed for fill before the final picture. This is one of my only purchased costumes, was won in a contest. No claims to costume on this build, just hair, makeup and nose.
This is my first prosthetic, ever. I followed the face cast, mold, sculpt, recast process learned here at SWS to create the nose for Liam Neeson as Qui Gon. This nose was my second pour. I failed on the upper edge blending and then chose to leave it as my mark that it was me, when asked if I had "just photoshoped it". The beard is fake as well, paintbrush hairs and prosaid, another SW specialty.
Final touches was clipping out Liam and pasting in my pic with an overlay of blue to match the poster.
Zoom in and you will have plenty to critique but I am very excited about my first prosthetic and the opportunities this new skill offers for new builds. Seriously, a true joy to build and my thanks to Sw school for raising the bar.
My green screen pose shows how much fake beard was still needed for fill before the final picture. This is one of my only purchased costumes, was won in a contest. No claims to costume on this build, just hair, makeup and nose.
Re: Christopher Swift Photoshop
Hi Darrell,
Glad to hear Christopher Swift's course helped you! And I totally agree, nothing beats watching over the shoulder of a master and getting an inside look at their process.
/Chris
Glad to hear Christopher Swift's course helped you! And I totally agree, nothing beats watching over the shoulder of a master and getting an inside look at their process.
/Chris
Christopher Swift Photoshop
I recently viewed the digital creature creation process in Photoshop with Christopher Swift. In a very short time, he showed me all the tools and shortcuts I have been needing for twenty years. No amount of Adobe training can replace looking over the shoulder of a pro at work. I have recently been asked to tutor another PR/sales professional in our small town and I, without a second thought, proposed we work through some projects using Stan Winston's School of Character Arts.
Re: Any way to thin out faux fur?
@Clara McCourt Here's the kit I got: https://www.amazon.com/OMORC-Professional-Clippers-Operating-Stainless/dp/B076RDCJHQ/ref=sr_1_41?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1549516602&sr=1-41&keywords=dog+grooming+clippers For the price, I was skeptical, but I've been using it on all my furry projects and it's been absolutely wonderful so far. Seems to hold a charge incredibly well too, I let it charge when I first got it, and ever since, it's been sitting on my shelf with now-and-then use and I still haven't needed to plug it in again. And the guards it comes with her awesome too. Very useful little kit!
Sorry for the super late reply by the way, I never got a notification of a new reply 
