SFX Gelatin Prosthetics
Updated: 5 days ago
Intro to DIY zombie special effects makeup
Ever wondered how special effect makeup artists make wounds and zombie makeup look so realistic in your favorite movies and TV shows? There are tons of different techniques ranging in complexity out there, of course, but did you know that you can easily replicate a professional looking wound at home with just a few easy to procure, affordable ingredients?
SFX gelatin is widely used in professional movie and TV production to make simple fake (but believable) wounds on skin without a huge time commitment. It's a versatile, and fairly easy medium to work with once you get the hang of it. SFX gelatin can be reshaped again and again with the use of a little heat, which is great for beginners who are trying to get the hang of sculpting their own prosthetics. Once painted and otherwise fully applied to the skin, SFX gelatin wounds cannot be reused-- but the ingredients are biodegradable. This SFX gelatin recipe is NOT vegan. While I have heard of vegan recipes using agar agar in lieu of gelatin for this particular technique I have not yet tested any of them myself.
Supplies List*
Before we dive into the full process, let's take a look at all the supplies we might possibly need. (Some supplies are optional depending on the sculpting technique you end up using-- read further into the directions for clarity on the exact supplies you will need for your particular project.)
*Any linked products are not sponsored in any way. They are simply examples of products I have used with success in the past.
Necessary supplies
Water
Glycerin
Unflavored gelatin powder
Liquid colorant of your choice
I prefer a drop of liquid foundation that matches the model's skin tone, but you can also mix acrylic paints or food coloring, etc. to match skin tone if you're in a pinch.
Coloring your SFX gelatin is technically optional, but for larger or more detailed pieces it can be helpful, especially for folks with deeper skin tones.
Microwave safe bowl
Liquid measuring cup
Heat safe mixing tool
I prefer a whisk, but a fork can be just as effective.
Freezer safe container
I recommend using an old school ice cube tray to separate your SFX gelatin into manageable chunks, but a bowl or small pan/container, etc. will work. You can always cut off chunks of the final product as needed.
Powder makeup brush
A makeup powder puff or a cotton ball will also work in a pinch.
Cornstarch
Or a similar, fine powder. Baby powder or makeup setting powder both work. If using cornstarch or another white powder on deeper skin tones you may wish to mix a small amount of cocoa powder into the cornstarch to avoid having a white cast on the finished prosthetic.
Cotton swabs
Witch hazel
Bruise colored makeup
Water or alcohol based makeups are best, but you an also make oil based makeup products work if necessary.
I like Mehron's bruise wheel for almost any wound painting needs. This can be found online, or at Spirit Halloween if it's the right time of year.
Makeup sponges
Suggestion: if you can find a stipple sponge (a sponge with especially large pores, that can be an excellent decorative tool in addition to regular makeup application sponges)
Fine tipped makeup brushes for detail work
You can use soft bristled paint brushes like ones you might use for watercolors from your local craft store if you don't have the right makeup brushes on hand already.
Fake blood comes in all sorts of colors or textures. Consider researching the differences before choosing. Or mix and match a couple of different types for a more realistic effect. If you're feeling really thrifty you can look up recipes to make your own at home.
Translucent setting powder or setting spray
I prefer to use a setting spray made for stage makeup when I'm going to be wearing my prosthetics for a while. Mehron's barrier spray can also be used to prime the skin before application for longer wear time.
Additional supplies
Waxed paper (for storage/premaking prosthetics)
Airtight bag/container for storage
Wound mold(s)
I have one of Brian Kinney's Hurt Box molds, which keeps things consistent and can make things go a little quicker for bulk projects, but you can shape and mold wounds yourself from scratch without a mold just as easily.
Sculpting tools
You don't have to have professional tools for this. I frequently will use a toothpick or plastic utensils that I have lying around to sculpt with. Though a stainless steel spatula tool can certainly be helpful if you've got access to it!
Tissues, napkins, toilet paper, or cotton balls
Tissues, napkins, and toilet paper without any lotion or other additives, special embossed details, or printed details is best. Single ply is great if you have it, but you can always peel the layers apart as needed.
Spirit Gum adhesive (or other skin-safe adhesive)
SFX gelatin can be applied and sculpted directly on the skin in its liquid form, but you will have to freehand sculpt your wound if you choose this route.
Spirit Gum Remover (or a similar skin-safe adhesive remover like Bond Off)
Do NOT skip the adhesive remover when it comes to prosthetics that are going on your skin. Improperly removing prosthetics adhered with spirit gum can seriously damage your skin.
SFX Gelatin Recipe
Now that you have the supplies in hand-- follow the below recipe to make your very own base for SFX gelatin prosthetics.
Ingredients
Yields: enough SFX gelatin for approximately 2-4 small to medium sized wounds.
0.5 oz water
1 oz glycerin
0.25 oz packet unflavored gelatin powder
Optional: a pea sized amount of liquid colorant to bring mixture to your desired skin tone.
Suggested colorants: liquid foundation or acrylic paints. Food coloring may also be used, but the amount needed will likely be smaller than a pea sized amount. Pre-mix color before adding for best results.
Directions
Combine water and glycerin in a microwave safe bowl. Stir until fully combined.
Add gelatin powder and stir to combine using a whisk to reduce clumps as much as possible.
Microwave on high for 10-15 seconds at a time for a total of 1 minute, stirring between each time in the microwave. Stop early if the gelatin mixture begins to boil.
Optional: Stir in liquid colorant until fully blended (OR waiting until step 8 if making multiple skin tone options)
Transfer mixture into a freezer safe container or mold and freeze for 30 minutes (or until fully set).
Suggestion: use an ice tray to separate your SFX gelatin into small, manageable chunks for later use, or manually slice into chunks after step 5.
Remove from the freezer. May be stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
When ready to use, place fully set SFX gelatin in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 5 seconds at a time until JUST melted into liquid form. Stir between each time in the microwave.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT bring SFX gelatin to boil or otherwise overheat. If SFX gelatin becomes too hot it can seriously burn skin. ALWAYS test the temperature before touching or applying to skin. Temperature can be tested by using a cotton swab to dab a very small amount of the liquefied SFX gelatin onto the inside of the wrist. If it hurts the inside of your wrist, it is too hot to work with. Run wrist under cool water immediately and allow remaining liquefied SFX gelatin to cool for a few minutes before reattempting.
Optional: If you did not add liquid colorant during step 4 of this process you can always add it to your premade SFX gelatin by reheating it to its liquid form following the instructions in step 7.
Video Tutorials
With your SFX gelatin base all made up-- it's time to take a look at some sculpting, application, and painting techniques. Some of the provided tutorial videos are from professional makeup brands. These brands sell their own pre-made versions of SFX gelatin in a bottle. The products may have different names, but they will function exactly the same as the base recipe provided to you above.
Sculpting, applying, and painting SFX gelatin directly on skin*
*NOTE: You can replicate the exact process in the below video on waxed paper instead of directly on skin and save your project for future use. Once you have sculpted your piece onto the wax paper and allow it to set you may store it in the fridge until ready to use. Once ready to apply, follow the instructions laid out in the "Applying and painting premade prosthetics" tutorial section.
Pouring SFX gelatin into a premade mold:
Applying and painting premade SFX gelatin prosthetics:
Bonus Tutorials:
Make your own wound mold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU2JfK4AlE0
Requires more materials (noted in video), but you get to work on your sculpting chops!
Cleanup & Removal
Cleanup
Cleanup is fairly easy, as SFX gelatin is water soluble. Any tools or surfaces that come in contact with it in either its liquid form can easily be cleaned with warm water and a little bit of soap. Smooth surfaces are even easier to clean, as once the SFX gelatin sets you can easily peel it off and toss it in a bag of scraps to be used later.
Removal
As for removal from skin, your approach will depend on your application method:
For SFX gelatin that was applied and sculpted directly on skin (without the addition of adhesives), your prosthetic can be removed by simply peeling off as much as possible, and then washing the area with warm water and a gentle cleanser. For leftover makeup on the skin, remove as you usually would with the proper makeup remover.
For premade SFX gelatin prosthetics that were applied with Spirit Gum, take a cotton swab or cotton ball soaked with the appropriate skin-safe adhesive remover* and gently wipe at the ends of the prosthetic until it begins to lift. Grasp the lifted edge of the prosthetic and continue to gradually wipe away the remaining remover before cleaning the area with warm soap and a gentle cleanser. Any remaining makeup on the skin should be removed with the proper makeup remover.
*NEVER attempt to remove prosthetics applied with spirit gum without a remover. You can seriously damage your skin if you attempt to rip off a prosthetic without first properly dissolving the adhesive.
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