Update . . .

The torso for the 6 foot armature is complete!  It took two and a half large cans of crack sealer to completely cover the wire frame!  I took a couple of videos that I will shorten down and post soon (assuming the quality is OK).  I also have created the musculature for the arms and legs using an old mattress topper and some duct tape.  I'll post the finished pictures once the crack sealer is dry.

Finally, I just ordered all of the supplies listed on my Zombie makeup tutorial post so I can make a practice run at that before Halloween.  Expect a video in a couple of weeks...

6 Foot Armature

30 minutes seems to be my time allotment for Halloween projects...

I went to Home Depot on Saturday and bought materials for a bunch of projects:
- Grim Reaper Armature
- 6' Armature
- Coffin
- Modified Fog Chiller
- Tombstones

Here is the skeleton part of the 6' Armature, complete.  It only took about 30 minutes to make this and about half of the Grim Reaper skeleton. Next is to add the chest and bulk up the arms/legs and finish the reaper skeleton.  And don't worry, that isn't all neck, it will go to the top of the head inside whatever mask I am using on this dummy.

Grim Reaper Project Update

I spent about 30 minutes working on the Grim Reaper modification tonight:
- removed the terrible fabrics and grass
- reshaped the skull and eye sockets
- replaced broken zip ties holding skull to frame
- found that the wingspan was only 6'!  So, I removed the hands so I can lengthen the arms
- removed the blue LED eyes for now
Next up is to build the armature and sew the new cloak...

Project - Modifying store bought props: Grim Reaper

One of the easiest ways to get started on making your Halloween a bit spookier is to buy a prop and then look for ways to improve it!  Take this skeleton for example:

PROS:

• A full 10 feet tall!
• Features on face and hands are well defined

CONS:

• Hangs on the wall (not very good for an outside prop)
• Flimsy white fabric and lightweight paper are neither scary nor durable
• Arms are too short and are made with bent wire that isn't hidden by the fabric
• "Grass" hair has to go
• Blue eyes just aren't that scary

So basically for $79 I bought the head and hands, and a frame holding it all together.  The idea of this is really sound, however, especially when you place him standing in the middle of a graveyard surrounded by fog...

Plan:

• Replace all of the fabric with black broadcloth (purchased 12 yds. on sale for $1.99/yd)
• Use a black open-weave specialty Halloween cloth for the hood (purchased 3 yds. on sale for $6.30/yd)
• Trash the grass
• Lengthen the arms to be more appropriate for his height
• Create a scythe to scale with wood, paint black, and place in his hand
• Make him free-standing, rather than needing to hang
• Optional (if time allows): replace Blue LEDs with Red

Stay tuned for updated pictures as the project gets underway...

Halloween Treat Ideas in the September Williams-Sonoma Catalog

Check out the September Williams-Sonoma Catalog for some neat looking Halloween Treat ideas!

Williams-Sonoma Website

Book Review - How To Haunt Your House, Book One

This Book by Shawn & Lynne Mitchell is a great place to get started if you are looking for ideas to create indoor or outdoor props. The price was a bit higher than I would have expected, and there were too many pages wasted on the inside with colorfully lit props without accompanying how-to instructions. But overall, it covers many of the basics of prop making including painting effects, lighting, and fog machines.

Most of the supplies and tools are readily available around your house and the rest can be easily picked up at your local hardware or craft store. (I recommend saving old paint, Styrofoam, and even dryer lint throughout the year so you are ready) I created a version of the Graveyard Fence described in the book for Halloween last year.  It is amazing how much of a difference a fence can make in the overall effect of your yard decorations without too much cost. More on that later...

Liquid Latex - How To Video

Zombie Makeup Tutorial #2 - Rotting Flesh

The above is a great video on how to apply liquid latex.  I haven't tried it yet, but will post a video once I do.  Here are the supplies that are suggested in the video (links are to Amazon, but you can probably buy them other places as well):

Liquid Latex Ben Nye 8oz Bottle
Professional Makeup Wheels Ben Nye Master Bruise Wheel
Creme Color Liners Ben Nye Steel Grey
F/X Creme Colors Sallow Green
Translucent Powder Shaker Bottles 3.0oz Ben Nye Neutral Set (or Baby Powder or Corn Starch)
STIPPLE SPONGE 2-Pack Snazaroo Face Painting Sponge
Pampered Chef Citrus Peeler in Bright Orange Color
Toilet Paper
Cosmetic Wedge
Cosmetic Round
Powder Brush
Art Brushes