Basic Fake Wound Tutorial

Items you will need: 

Liquid Latex (purchased online or at a Halloween or makeup/theater supply)

Grease Paints (Lipstick and eyeliners can also work)

Setting Powder

Spirit Gum (If wound is not created directly on skin)

Fake blood

Makeup/paint brushes and Q-tips for application

Dark lip gloss or specialty blood for thicker, coagulated blood effect is optional

Rice can work as maggots if you want to add them

Tissue paper and oatmeal can be used to add texture, but must be sealed to the skin with latex

 

To begin, you can either choose to create the prosthetic on cling wrap or directly on your skin. If you choose the cling wrap option, you will need spirit gum to make the latex adhere to your skin after it is dry. The steps for the cling wrap option otherwise are essentially the same.

Creating the prosthetic

1. To begin creating the prosthetic (The latex part of the makeup), make sure the surface you are working on is clean of dirt and oils that might make the makeup not adhere well. If you are creating the wound on cling wrap, make sure the surface is wrinkle free and secured tightly.
2. Then apply the latex thinly in the shape of your wound. I like to dot the latex in thin layers with a Q-tip , so I don't spill it or make a mess.
3. After one layer, let the latex dry completely. This is so you do not destroy or disturb one layer when adding another.
4. Continue steps 2 and 3 until you have built up the desired depth of your wound.
5. If the edges are thick and do not blend into the skin well, apply another think layer of latex to the other edges to blend out the line between the prosthetic and he skin. You want the edge to be as thin as possible.
6. After the prosthetic is dry, powder it to remove shine.

Applying the Prosthetic (If you used cling wrap method)

1. Apply spirit gum to skin where you want the wound to be and to the bottom of the prosthetic.
2. When the spirit gum is tacky/sticky, place the prosthetic on the skin and adjust placement as needed.
3. Seal the edges with spirit gum
4. Let dry and remove excess spirit gum

Coloring the Wound

Reference images are optional, but suggested for coloring the wound.

1. Begin with basic bruising an irritation around the wound. Use yellows and greens for old bruises. Purple and blues for newer ones. Reds and pink for skin irritation.
2. Color the inside of the wound with red and add blacks, dark reds, and dark purples to create depth and shadows. 
3. Add more color as is suits the type of wound you want. If your wound is infected, add some sickly tones. Also take into account how fresh/old the wound is, how it was created, and where it is located. Some areas of the body bleed more or bruise easier, this is why reference photos are helpful

Adding Final Touches 

1. Add appropriate amounts of blood
2. Add dark lip gloss or specialty blood for coagulated blood (optional)
3. Add maggots or other props (optional)