Ouch!!!

Today was another practical which caused us to end up with a few cuts and bruises! Not real ones though of course. I really enjoyed doing this style of work however it was a lot harder than I thought it was!! So before we start I'll give you the list of things that will be needed before you get going:

• Moulding Wax
• Latex/ Sealer if allergic to latex
• Hair dryer
• Collodium 
• Acetone
• Supracolour Pallet
• Wound Filler
• Cuts and Bruise Wheel
• Moisturiser
• Blood
• Rounded Metal Spatula
• An old set of brushes
• Black Stipple Sponge.

As you can see there are quite a few things that are needed, although not everything is directly needed for a cut. For instance Collodium can be used to create scars and actually isn't needed for a cut, but I thought it kinda relates so I added it in just in case. If you do want to create a scar, put barrier foam on first then place the collodium on the skin and lightly pinch it together. Once dried it will create a scarred look. You will need to use spirit gum to get it off.

So a few little points before I explain the steps. Moulding wax can be used on the face but like usual just be careful around the eye area. Double check with the model if they are allergic to anything so that you use the correct products and don't cause any harm. You will need to think about things such as what kind of cut so they have? Is it a knife wound, have they fallen and simply grazed themselves? You also need to think about what type of ground they have fallen on. Is there dirt? Did they land on glass? 

• So the first step is to get some of the moulding wax and using the spatula warm it up on the back of your hand.
• Place a small amount on the area where the cut will go. For me that was on the inside of the arm. Make sure that there aren't any hard edges so blend it out as much as you can. You are able to layer up the wax to create more of a shape. You want to make it look real and not over the top so really think about how the cut came about. Using the spatula make a line down the middle so that it looks like a cut.

• Once you have created the cut, cover it in a thin layer of latex or sealer and using the cool setting on the hair dryer wait until the latex has gone clear. Using the acetone make sure that there aren't hard edges. If you use the hot setting on the hair dryer it may melt that wax, which is something you don't to happen.
• The next step is to start building up the colour using your Supracolour pallet. Using the old brushes you can flick on the paint to create a mottled look. You want to be careful that you don't go crazy with the colour and make it look fake. You want to do it so that you can still 'see the skin' under the colour. 
• Lasty using either a hair pin or brush get a small amount of wound filler and place it in the middle. Add a small amount of blood to help it look a little more real. One thing this is that you've got to think about the colour of the blood depending where the cut is and how old it is. Also you would need to add the blood after they have fallen as if you do it beforehand the blood will run down the arm and it will look a little odd once they are on the ground. Lastly if you want to create a graze just lightly brush the black stipple sponge along the skin.