[WIP] Maleficent- cheek prosthetics page 5, molds of all the things in progress!

[Annisse]

Re: WIP: Maleficent christening gown.

I'm going to start a WIP on it. Just have not had time..lol. If the horns don't turn out you might think of carving them in foam and coating them with styospray. It a plastic coating and you don't have to seal the foam before applying. I use it to cover iron man armor pieces out of foam. Here's a link and good luck with your molds. StyroSpray Hard Coatings : Industrial Polymers

I am so curious to try this foam spray now. The demo photos and videos from that site look like the answer to making foam prop prayers! haha!


So, has anyone had luck finding a good high-res photo to the Christening ring? I found the toy one Disney is selling on Amazon and other Halloween costume sites. Almost tempted to just buy that one because I have no idea what that ring design is. I think someone posted it is supposed to be a dragon but without proper photos, there is no way to replicate it.

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog


First ever experiment with plat-sil! The pieces need to be clamped harder to feather the edges more, the silicone needs faaaaar less tinting! But as a first try at making something with materials and methods I have never tried before I'm happy XD All my molds so far have been open back and I have never used overflow channels or anything.

I was supposed to do more glasing today but.. my kitty cat has a booboo, which is partly why I call him Mr Boo (Boo). So he had to go to the vet today and will have to again on Wednesday for some sarcomas top be removed from his nose and ears, and his teeth descaled.

So I'm trying to hug him and then also leave him alone because he is not happy at all.

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog

B

So super excited that progress has happened in spite of a spate of bad luck. The silk lining for the tabbard has shrunk (but I may wind up using it for some SCA garb instead so that is not a waste!) and my second set of silicon appliances are thinner and clearer and will work

Okay..... sorry for thumbnails.

 

[Twananas]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog

Looking good!

 

[mdb]

Re: WIP: Maleficent christening gown.

So, has anyone had luck finding a good high-res photo to the Christening ring? I found the toy one Disney is selling on Amazon and other Halloween costume sites. Almost tempted to just buy that one because I have no idea what that ring design is. I think someone posted it is supposed to be a dragon but without proper photos, there is no way to replicate it.

Sadly even the photos of the costume on exhibit don't show the ring. There are some good views in the movie, but of course there was no real way of getting a grab of it! But it means when the BluRay comes out there will be the chance to get a few screen grabs.
That said my memory is that the licensed ring is really not bad- just like the staff and one of the sets of horns (though I think the prototype was more solid.)

I've been hit by the same bug three times in two months now, so I have no idea if I'll be on track to get this done in a month. But the velvet and lining has been cut and the body seams sewn and the side openings and neckline tacked by hand (after machined twice and just lots of crying.
Next step will be to hand sew those edges even closer.

The horns need the tips sanded and filed but I now have teeth on the inside top curve and the heavy root at the back.

Second set of platsil prosthetics are super cute and sheer. There is an article about the make up used that deals with how they blended the edges. The platsicl when powered seems to take make up pretty well, I was lead to believe it was difficult to paint. I think the powder is the key and also the tinting.

Feathers for the wings have been started and in that stage where I'll need to dedicate several hours a day to processing them by small bulk (maybe 10 at a time if I am lucky and have the space.)

Bosysuit has not been tackled yet. Still annoyed by lack of images of the back. What I have seen of the seams do not match up. I may go for a tunic and pants arrangement as there is some weird stuff going on and I'd also like to not have to dehydrate myself again
But I am going to set some time aside to sculpt the hip, spine and wing nubs. The colour I got for my prosthetics will work really well for the wing nubs, And I'll make them removable for later full wing conversion.

But this year has been the year of fatigue. So hard core, and life is just not fun right now. So the whole making costumes thing is currently a chore rather than joy

 

[Annisse]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog

Does anyone know what the stones or paint maybe, that are on the brooch on her dress? I though maybe marcasite but those stones are beveled designed, maybe a chrome paint? They reflect in the light.




Also, I notice some side hips waist decorations on the dress and the back spine? What type of pattern or what are they? Any good reference photos? Only reason I even saw them was from the dress on the doll. Here is a Disney Park character wearing the dress where you can kind of make the side hip attachments out. I absolutely can not find any good reference photos online.

http://www.themainstreetmouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/UNLVIL4852084.jpg

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog



Still need to file the horn tips and start the headdress strapping. I've managed to lose one of the cheek prosthetics but they are flat enough that I can scupt a new set entirely on some plastic. I may as well as I am sculpting the spine and hips anyway. And yep, I did include the hip and spine pieces on my Christening gown, one of the first features I was looking forward to They both look a lot like the wide stomach scales of reptiles, except in a herringbone pattern so they look a bit more leafy
Okay, turns out I have zero photos of the sculpts or the finished product on my site.
I cast mine from water clear flexible urethane tinted with black pigment. I also pressed a knit fabric in the back while they were curing so I could sew them directly to the fabric rather than glue. I also did this with the brooch as there is no visible means of fastening.

The velvet tabbard is definitely at least two garments. One was tattered and torn for the final battle, and on the upper half not just the hem. It would mean no reshoots if it was just the one... But it also means the cape/dress combo on the race to the castle is all CGI or a stunt costume. But the weird thing is how much it mimics the real thing. Sigh. So either three garments or two and one CGI.

Also, the battle bodysuit is definitely a bodysuit not a tunic and pant set like the doll. Already knew that but sigh. Very clearly another shiny butt costume.

Wings started, but may not get done for a while as I want to do the boots and headdress as well as bodysuit. Way too difficult this close to the events. Also I am habging out for the DVD/bluray for the ability to pause and go frame by frame

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog



Redoing Christening forehead piece, brooch, cheeks, all new battle spine and hip pieces.

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog

I'm going to do a general purpose maleficent references/questions thread as people may not be watching this thread for questions

But that will be tomorrow Today I quadruple checked the release date of the bluray here, Oct 1. Mutter mutter grumble. So another week to go. But I have got my bodysuit base pattern drawn on a generic bodysuit pattern I use: it has multiple seams for fitting over the bust and in to the waist which means I can general just draw a new pattern over it and not have to adjust too much for stretch (just cutting lines on a four panel bodysuit is not going to work.)

So my sculpts are on hold:

That includes the necklace and forehead piece of my Christening gown I want to redo them both
But spine and hip pieces are at the detail and texture stage. Again waiting on seeing how they look in the bluray and potential behind the scenes. Also I am making some oversized cheek appliances, compare to my subtle one in the pale transluscent pink. I'll be shaving those down a little as well and might get them molded before the bluray comes out just so I have less to do after.

I'd love to get the perfect chain but may have to do with finding a substitute. I am aiming for battle worn, which may be a bit incongruous with the perfect velvet tabbard but shhhh. Which reminds me, sculpt wing stubs.

But I grabbed my buttery leather to see if I have enough for collars and headdress. The velvet sack has had some more stay tape down the front- still debating whether to hand or machine sew that given how the fronts look ruched slightly- which is a total pain to attempt.)

I have made a pattern for the boots, I'll have to install zips down the inside as they just do not look like they are loose through the ankle. Actually, maybe up the back? Hmmm...... very tempting.

Still have to start work on making the collar template as well as pleated feathery collar for the tabbard. That stuff is a nightmare to fin. It actually looks like a faux leather given it looks very steamed to shape.

And I have tried and failed to clean my leather that is covered in plastic. One last chance with super soaking the stuff overnight butttttt... I have a back up of a very sueded surface leather that will take dye well. Would prefer not as it was for another project...

So much to do! But I know I can mold and cast in a day if needed, so basically I'll work on what I can before I can spend a few hours just with my nose pressed up to the tv/monitor depending on which I get the blue ray player connected to....

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog

Got the battle costume mostly patterned



Ruffle collar was super fun. For construction I need to go hunting for a particular material. If I can’t find it I may have to latex some fabric….
Meanwhile the inner collar will be constructed like this:



That is left over from one half of the shoes used for my boots. Fairly standard piped edge but it is super clipped back and the lining is sewn in flat with a stitch in the ditch method. So much sense with super fine leather.

I also patterned the bodysuit today. And tidied up so all my molds are in one place:



Those are for the Christening and battle outfits and they all need cleaning and prepping! Still to go are the ear and wing stump molds. The ing stumps will have a mix of molded feathers and fabric cut to mimic feathers and break through of the fabric.
I still need to pattern my faux fur then figure out what to use to glue them in flattened swirls.

So now all I have to do is texturise the wing stumps then mold them and then find some bird skulls.. sigh.. I may sculpt them too. Not sure I'll be able to travel with the costume if made from the real thing.

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog



Ears and wing stumps. Set aside in the cooler weather before I commit to molding- well I am waiting for my ultracal to arrive but still

I'm going to want to taper the wing stumps more, but only once it is possible to carve the clay again!

 

[mdb]

Re: Maleficent 2014! New horn sculpt page 4 Christening gown done, battle wings a gog

I am a convert! These things are so fun.

 

[mdb]

Heehee. I killed some Cernit so I need to by some more. I may just sculpt the skulls and bone from transluscent Cernit and give them an acrylic wash. It just seems easier right now than to try and make squishy molds.

 

[mdb]

And a test of the felt and foam support for the battle helmet. I need to trim my horn supports down to just below the base of the horns, and then start sanding the base out so to reduce a bit of weight. They are super comfy with the helmet holding them, but I don't want to rely on them for that

 

[mdb]

Sculpted and currently encased in silicone

I need some more pigments so I'm going to grab some before going any further I also sanded my horns back for a paint coat, so the tips are like little blades, which meant I had to cut them back a bit too Covered in dremel dust again!
The horn support has been cut further up the side and front and back. I don't want to cut too far as these will need to go under my wig and other headpieces eventually too. Speaking of which, I'll have to make the helmet seamed up centre front so it won't be glued directly to this support layer.

 

[mdb]

I'll have to knock out the shine somehow but as per the super close ups of the horns, I have shades of charcoal to green to bronze going on.
Now to wash my hands before pleating the collar.

I also cast what I hope to be my final lot of pieces, tomorrow is silicone casting of nose, cheeks and easrs (second half of the mold today.

My lenses also arrived. OMG. I have to be patient for them to soak the new solution but I cannot wait! Beautiful green with a few tiny speckles of gold. I got two pairs so I hope to be able to do a review of them

 

[Annisse]

View attachment 386870
I'll have to knock out the shine somehow but as per the super close ups of the horns, I have shades of charcoal to green to bronze going on.
Now to wash my hands before pleating the collar.

I also cast what I hope to be my final lot of pieces, tomorrow is silicone casting of nose, cheeks and easrs (second half of the mold today.

My lenses also arrived. OMG. I have to be patient for them to soak the new solution but I cannot wait! Beautiful green with a few tiny speckles of gold. I got two pairs so I hope to be able to do a review of them

Which contact lenses did you wind up going with? The ones I want are out of stock until after Halloween :/

 

[mdb]

I used Geo Princess Mimi in Apple green. They are circle lenses. There has been some fearmongering about them but I've worn lenses since 1997 so...

I used to wear year long lenses. I had one I would wear with a little nick in the corner. Nothing bad happened, irritation. And then I got a new pair. Much more comfortable.
I got 6 month long lenses and they were fine, easy to remove and put in.
I have older monthly lenses equally easy to put in and take out, but I had one tear across my eye. Still, nothing bad happened. It hurt! but it didn't damage my eye

I flicked some natural clay in my eye, big big problem, hellloooo infection!

These circle lenses are about as thick as old school monthly lenses.

Also, you have to have your eyes checked, always. These are little filmy bits of plastic that you are putting on your eyeballs. Pay the money to get your eyes measured. (note, that was to anyone reading who hasn't already done the dance of the eyecare specialist.

Sigh. My uber oversized cheekbones looked tiny. I'm going to do some work tomorrow to make some very soft and thin prosthetics.

 

[BJenssen]

Re: WIP: Maleficent christening gown.

HI MDB;
I've been looking over your past posts and all I have to say is WOW. Awesome work. I stumbled on this site because I was doing a webpage search on the Maleficent staff as a prop and some of the images from your posts came up. I'm working on the staff at this point (with a real labradorite egg to be the top piece of the staff) and had to take the time to register and comment on your work here.

Funny enough, I just completed (Well almost) the Christening Ring this past week. I'm waiting on my black ostrich leather to come in the mail to finish the actual finger support for the ring.

The only photos of this ring I can find were part of the DVD Blue Ray extras. I tried to snap a photo of it for you from the DVD projected on my wall. It's not high res, but it's the best I can do.

Basically it's a 5/6 faceted piece of black "obsidian" stone with a metal "carcass" or "cage" holding it. The metal is twisted to sort of look like the eye part of a bird skull and the straight pieces look like kinked metal or sort of like toes from a foot bone. The carcass of the ring is definitely supposed to be metal as there is a brass luster to it on the DVD.


So here is my version of it (without the ostrich leather ...that's pending delivery).




So here's how I made it. I used black Apoxie putty to make the obsidian stone. I made the base stone just a "brick" like shape, a little oversized and let it set up hard overnight. Then I used a razor to cut the facets to create the 5/6 sided column and then created off set points. I roughed it out with the razor and a nail file. Then buffed it with a nail buffing brush to make sure I wasn't completely taking out all the "defects" at the peak as there are some in the real ring on the DVD. I then polished it all up with a dremel buffing tip and sprayed it with a high gloss enamel to make it shine like stone.

Then I started in on the carcass with bronze Apoxie putty. I made each piece individually except the cross piece and the base. Once those all dried I put the base down and the -stone in to act as a brace and started assembling the individual pieces around the stone. I used a rubber band to hold it all until it dried. Once almost dry (about 2 -3 hrs) I took the stone out so it would not be "set" into the Apoxie sculpt. Let the bronze carcass dry and then took a fingernail emory board to it to rough up the surface and take out any oversized bits. I then sprayed it with copper spray paint and then topped it with gold metallic spray paint. Once dry, I took really fine sand paper to it lightly to scrape the paint and then applied ebony minwax wood stain over it all to "weather" the carcass.

Then I sprayed on satin setting finish to set the paint and stain so it survives a little use and abuse. Then set the stone back in with a dab of super glue. Then I fashioned a little ring finger support with black Apoxie to fit my finger and I'm just waiting on the piece of ostrich leather to finish that finger support out. I'll glue the leather to it so it's not seen but still there to support the weight of the ring and stand it up.

In all, it took me about 2 weeks to finish the ring just waiting on the layers to dry completely.
for not having a lot of good photos of it, it's the best I can do and I think it looks pretty respectable.

Hope that helps!
Cheers,

BJ

 

[BJenssen]

OOh love your bird skull. I made this once after seeing the Movie at the theater, but I got the bill piece all wrong. I'll have to make it again now that I can see the actual ring assembly in the DVD extras. You almost have it there.

As for the bone knife, it really is a bone blade and you have it very close. But if you look at bone knives on the internet, most are made with the handle piece as the "joint" of the bone. Most of the time, ceremonial long bone blades are made of shin bones, so the top is ribbed a little where the "knee" joint would be. if you do an internet search for ceremonial bone blades, you will see a lot of them to model after. I caught a screen shot of the dvd on my computer of the bone knife for Maleficent.

Here's the top of the knife which is the hard part to see and sculpt.


Here's my attempt at sculpting it with a wax based clay, which is just awesome for detail, and then casting it with a white plastic resin. This is just before I painted it to stain it to a final product. The total piece is about 10-1/2 inches long, which is just long enough to go from middle ulna to my elbow.



I'll take a few photos of the clay sculpt if you would like. It's sitting here on the table and I haven't yet "recycled" the clay into the next project. I just finished the painting on the bone knife last night.

Let me take a photo of the finished product and I'll post that in a bit.

Here we go:

Photo of the clay sculpt original and then right beside it the finished piece with all the paint layers.


Sorry the photo has a little blue cast, the sun is setting outside and all I have is shadow to work with.
If you really would like a white plastic blank to work with, let me know. I have the original mold cast I made of the clay sculpture. I can make as many all white plastic blanks as I like (up to about 25 copies before the mold will break down from use). I'm just out of plastic material at the moment to make the blanks.

Cheers,
BJ