Not for the squeamish! Special fx claw marks makeup constructive criticism?

Nov 16, 2014

Meadow S.

I'm trying out special fx makeup for the first time and have already gotten back some advice that
1. The lumps should be smaller
2. The blood should be darker (I used lipgloss here but the next time I do this in going to mix my own from gelatin and food dye)

I can't find scar wax where I live so used cornstarch and vaseline mixed with foundation for the lumps and used eyeshadow for the redness.

Any advice is welcome 😊

Nov 16, 2014

Shaye M.

This is awesome! I think you did a great job! :)

Nov 16, 2014

Meadow S.

Thanks guys 😊

Nov 16, 2014

Emily W.

What animal is it supposed to be from? The slashes are really far apart. Also, the slices are so smooth they look almost like scalpel cuts; animal attacks are more rough and jagged where the skin and flesh is torn. The lumps look like the wounds are swollen, which could be realistic if you want this to look like it is a few days/a week old; you just need to add some bruising.

I suggest looking at reference photos of real animal attacks; see how the claws damage the skin, how the body changes around the wounds (bruising, etc), and how the flesh is colored in the exposed wound.

In general, when creating a wound: think about what caused the wound, how old it is, and the circumstances around it. A week-old stab wound from a serrated butcher knife is going to be constructed differently than a fresh slice defensive wound from a sharp scalpel. An infected bite from a human zombie is going to look different than a bite from a rabid dog. Always look at real reference photos when you are planning, NOT other makeups. If you want realism, you have to be able to stomach looking at real trauma and have an understanding of what it does to human anatomy.

For coloring and shading: Generally, tissue immediately under the torn skin is bright red (highly oxygenated), and deeper into the wound it gets darker. Bruising around it will depend on how old you want it to look. Fresh wounds have bright red bruising where blood is pooling under the skin. After a few days, swelling causes hypoxia and the bruise takes on a purple hue (cyanosis). As it begins to heal (a week or longer) the body breaks down the hemoglobin and the bruise turns brown and yellow. Fresh blood from a shallow wound is bright red; arterial blood from a deep wound is darker crimson or even burgundy. If you want the wound to look older, the blood will be dark and thick as it coagulates. Swelling starts between a few hours and a few days, and the duration and severity depend on the circumstances of the trauma (infection will have more swelling and more bruising and discoloration, etc).

Overall you have a nice start here, especially since you have extremely limited supplies. Keep working on it and experimenting!

Nov 16, 2014

Nerissa R.

Looks really cool!

Nov 16, 2014

Meadow S.

Thank you so much for all your replies ❤️ Wow I'm so happy people actually took the time to help me with this, especially Emily thank you so much for the detailed description I'm definitely going to look at more reference pictures and plan the cut carefully when I try this again. The cuts were far apart since I find it difficult to blend the edges of the lumps but I'm definitely going to try again at making them more jagged and closer. I'll keep trying at it and thanks again all you wonderful people for all your support 😊

Nov 16, 2014

Shelley W.

Emily nailed great points for ya...but omg!! Not bad work at all. You definitely have a great talent...now its all about tweaking it further. I just finished eating breakfast and it definitely made my stomach roll and jump around (its a good thing though and is a compliment ;) )

Nov 16, 2014

Angelina C.

Too symmetrical. It should be more jagged and the scratches are a little to big.

Nov 16, 2014

Tina K.

I think for your limites supplies, you are off to a GREAT start. Emily gave you terrific advice! I look forward to pix of your next attempt!

Nov 17, 2014

Meadow S.

Thanks to all of you again!I didn't realize I'd get this many people encouraging me and giving me helpful advice, I will certainly try again and improve with all your comments ❤️