Makeup Effects and Prosthetics

Grande Illusions: Books I & II

By Tom Savini

Tom Savini’s Grande Illusions and Grande Illusions II have been essential reading for aspiring makeup effects artists and film fans for years. Now, for the first time, both books have been combined into a comprehensive guide to the craft and art of makeup effects.

With hundreds of pictures and diagrams, Tom’s real-world experience on classic films is used to show readers exactly how he created each effect in an easy-to-follow step-by-step format.

This book offers a firsthand look at how cinematic illusions are made, with examples from films such as Friday the 13th, Creepshow, The Burning, Maniac, and many others.

In addition to demonstrating how he achieved each effect, Tom also teaches techniques such as head casting, mold making, punching hair, sketching, color plates, and casting teeth, giving aspiring artists a full understanding of the craft.

With introductions by Stephen King, George Romero, and Dick Smith, Grande Illusions is sure to delight film fans and become an essential resource for new makeup artists.

Tom Savini’s Grande Illusions: Books I & II is an essential resource for special effects artists at all skill levels, from beginner to professional.

Techniques of Three-Dimensional Makeup

By Lee Baygan

Techniques of Three-Dimensional Makeup is one of the most complete books on makeup prosthetics available.

The book covers topics such as:

• Making a Life Mask
• Breakdown of the Life Mask
• The Three-Piece Mold
• Casting Hands
• Modeling and Modeling Tools
• Modeling and Casting Large Pieces
• Foam Latex
• Making Teeth
• Making Ears
• Casting a Full Head
• Plus much more

An essential book for beginners that features detailed, step-by-step instructions with pictures.

Prosthetic Make-Up Artistry for Film and Television

By Clare Ramsey

Prosthetic makeup is a powerful tool that allows actors to transform into unique, otherworldly characters, limited only by the artist’s imagination. It can also be used in more subtle ways to alter physical appearances, such as creating aging, weight gain, or illness, which is useful in a variety of entertainment mediums and genres.

Prosthetic Make-Up Artistry for Film and Television illustrates two- and three-dimensional make-up techniques and covers topics like:

• life casting
• sculpting
• gelatine prosthetics
• airbrushing
• hair punching
• hand-laid hair techniques
• novelty teeth design and production

It is an essential resource for makeup and hair students in the film and television industry, as well as practitioners in theater, cosplay, and live action role play. With 424 color photographs and 14 line artworks, this book is superbly illustrated and written by Clare Ramsey, a makeup artist with years of experience and a particular passion for prosthetic makeup artistry.

Character Make-up

By Paul Thompson and Gil Romero

This essential how-to-guide is intended to be a helpful resource for both aspiring and professional makeup artists.

It was originally created as a textbook for Make-Up Designory, the largest makeup school in the country, with the goal of replicating the visual learning techniques used in the classroom. The guide is designed in an illustrated textbook format and covers a range of essential makeup techniques.

The guide features a step-by-step format with over 600 color photographs and illustrations, providing detailed instructions on a range of makeup techniques including aging, bald caps, airbrushing, facial hair, bruising, tattoos, injury simulation, and prosthetics. It also covers various character makeup effects.

Contains a wealth of useful information, tips, and techniques to help an artist achieve their desired results. Contains over 700 pages of high-quality reading material.

Theatrical FX Makup

By David Sartor and John Pivovarnick

Theatrical FX Makeup is an ideal resource for anyone interested in creating dramatic makeup effects, particularly those working in theater or film.

The book includes easy-to-follow instructions for creating a variety of effects using both professional-quality makeup products and everyday household items.

In addition to the step-by-step directions, the book also provides show and character-specific suggestions for using each effect and offers variations to help you customize the makeup to your needs.

This book includes a companion CD-ROM that showcases all of the illustrations in full color and provides easy access to the corresponding directions and supply lists.

This book is a must-have for makeup artists of all levels, with a wealth of information and techniques. It is especially useful for beginners and a great addition to any FX library.

Reel Characters: A Quick Reference for Creating Out of Kit Feature Quality Character Make-ups

By Randy Daudlin, Peter A Brandt, Barbara Daudlin, Natasha Diak, Tony Cerbini, Anne May, Monik Walmsley and Indiana Allemag

Reel Characters is a comprehensive resource designed to assist educators, directors, producers, and make-up artists in creating dramatic character make-ups.

The book includes 12 character make-up examples, a guide to using contact lenses, and detailed information on wigs and hair pieces.

With 442 color photographs and 160 pages of easy-to-follow instructions, this book will inspire readers to take standard materials and push them to new creative heights.

Hurt ‘Em Reel Good 2nd Edition: A Quick Reference for Out of Kit Make-up FX

By Randy Daudlin, Chris Irving and Micholina Storer

Hurt ‘Em Reel Good is a guidebook for make-up artists of all levels, providing detailed information and product recommendations for creating out-of-kit make-up effects.

These techniques can be used to create a wide range of characters and looks, and can be performed quickly and easily with a properly stocked make-up kit, without the need for cumbersome equipment or extensive preparation.

Subjects covered include:

• bruising
• burns
• injury simulation
• character effects
• forensics 101
• how to remove make-up.

This book is meant to educate and inspire make-up artists to expand their skills and create dynamic make-up effects on the spot.

Reel Tips & Tricks: A Quick Reference For Out of Kit Make-up Effects

By Randy Daudlin, Chris Irvine, Micholina Storer, Matthew DeWilde, Colin Penman, Neil Morrill and Trina Brink

Reel Tips & Tricks is the latest book in a series on out-of-kit make-up effects by author Randy Daudlin. In this book, five professional make-up artists with over a hundred years of combined experience share some of their favorite out-of-kit make-up techniques.

The book provides detailed instructions and product recommendations for creating a wide range of effects, including inexpensive eyes, burns, twisted characters, and spontaneous blood work.

With over twenty-two practical tips and a dozen graphic tricks, this book is sure to inspire make-up artists of all levels to push the boundaries of out-of-kit make-up even further.

Special Effects Make-up

By Janus Vinther

Special Effects Make-up is a guide to creating realistic and horrifying make-up for film and theater.

It includes step-by-step instructions for creating a variety of effects, such as bullet wounds, severed fingers, slashed throats, and burns.

There is also a chapter on character make-up featuring classic figures like Dracula and the Terminator.

This book is filled with colorful, gory illustrations and is a valuable resource for make-up artists and designers working in film and theater, as well as for those looking to make a memorable impression on Halloween.

Special Effects Guide of Real Human Wounds and Injuries

By Benito Garcia

This book is a unique resource for the special effects industry, providing high-definition, color reference photos for creating a variety of makeup effects, including cuts, scrapes, stitches, and skin ulcers. With an easy-to-follow index and detailed descriptions of each image, this book makes it easy to find and understand the reference material you need.

It is not a step-by-step guide to creating special effects makeup, but rather a reference guide featuring real-life injuries, wounds, and skin conditions to help you achieve professional-quality special effects makeup. Use this book as a reference for creating realistic and believable makeup effects.

This book is specifically designed for makeup artists, providing a comprehensive reference guide to injuries, wounds, and skin conditions without the need to purchase expensive medical books. Keep it in your studio or kit for quick reference when time is of the essence.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced makeup artist, this book is an invaluable tool for bringing your special effects visions to life.

A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup: Conceptual Creations by Japanese Makeup Artists

By Tokyo SFX Makeup Workshop

A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup is widely regarded as the best book on the subject, providing comprehensive coverage of everything from basic facial makeup styles to complex masks and molds.

With instructions for creating scars, gashes, and other special effects, this book is a must-have resource for creating fantastical characters such as vampires and zombies.

This book has clear, step-by-step instructions and hundreds of color photos, making it easy to create stunning makeup effects. It features conceptual pieces from a variety of contributing artists, as well as a section on manga/cosplay hair and makeup.

Whether you’re interested in creating realistic or unique makeup effects, this book is sure to satisfy and inspire you.

A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup – Volume 2: Introduction to Dark Fantasy and Zombie Makeups

By Tokyo SFX Makeup Workshop

This book is the definitive guide to special effects makeup, featuring step-by-step instructions and hundreds of photos from professional makeup artists who have worked on films like Alien vs. Predator and Land of the Dead. Whether you’re a beginner looking to create simple makeup effects for a Halloween party or an experienced artist interested in more complex techniques, this book has everything you need to know.

Volume 2 covers a range of topics for creating fantastical characters, including basic facial makeup styles, simple scars and gashes, masks, molds, and cast-making. You’ll learn everything you need to know to create vampires, zombies, and other imaginative characters.

This definitive guide, previously only available as a limited Japanese import, is now available in English and is the highly regarded sequel to one of the most highly praised special effects makeup tutorial books ever published.

A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup 3

By Tokyo SFX Makeup Workshop

This expert special effects makeup guide covers everything from the gory and bloody to the disgusting and fantastic.

Discover the art of creating realistic and captivating horror makeup with the third volume of the acclaimed special effects makeup series. Led by renowned Japanese special effects makeup artists, this volume delves into the techniques for creating gory and convincing scar and wound makeup. You’ll also learn the secrets behind special effects makeup, mask-making, and more.

A one-of-a-kind special effects makeup guide!

Hollywood Makeup Lab – Industry Secrets and Techniques

By Bruna Nogueira and Diane Namm

Explore the world of special effects makeup with Bruna Nogueira, a seasoned makeup artist who has worked on blockbuster films such as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

In The Hollywood Makeup Lab, Nogueira shares tips and tricks for creating stunning fantasy, science fiction, and horror looks using makeup.

With insights from Nogueira’s work on the set of Crime Scene Investigation and her experience teaching in the Professional Hollywood Workshop, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the magic of movie makeup.

Whether you’re a makeup artist looking to improve your skills or a makeup enthusiast looking for inspiration, The Hollywood Makeup Lab has something for everyone.

Dick Smiths Do It Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook

By Dick Smith

Learn how to transform your face into fifteen monsters with award-winning makeup artist Dick Smith’s instructions and techniques.

This book, which has inspired many modern makeup artists, provides step-by-step guidance on using makeup and other materials to create a range of monstrous looks.

A valuable addition to our library’s research collection!

A Beginner`s Guide To Special Makeup Effects – Monsters, Maniacs and More

By Christopher Payne

“A Beginner’s Guide to Special Makeup Effects: Monsters, Maniacs and More” is a book that teaches you how to create special effects makeup using readily available and affordable tools and materials from local stores.

The book is organized into three sections: Simple Makeup, Advanced Materials and Techniques, and Advanced Makeup.

It includes tutorials for creating various character looks, such as a pirate, vampire, ghost, robot, burn victim, witch, zombie, and goblin. Each tutorial is illustrated with step-by-step, full-color photographs and includes instructions on creating fake teeth, applying bald caps, creating gory wounds and injuries, and making simple prosthetics.

This book is suitable for students of Stage Makeup courses and for theater technicians working and training on their own. It guides readers from the basics of foundation, highlight, and shadow to creating advanced creature makeups.

Introduction to Special Makeup Effects for Film and TV

By Gabriela Heath

Gabriela Heath’s “Introduction to Special Make-up Effects for Film and TV” is a guide for aspiring artists entering the Film and TV industry, covering methods, techniques, and materials used in SFX makeup.

Gabriela Heath is a highly skilled and experienced makeup artist with a successful career in both the film and beauty industries. With over a decade of experience and numerous awards to her name, she has worked on a wide range of film and artistic projects and has a particular passion for special makeup effects.

This manual is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in learning or improving their makeup skills, including special effects makeup. It covers building a makeup kit, using tools and materials, sanitization, patch testing, color theory, techniques for using materials like wax, latex, gelatine, silicone, and alcohol colors, and applying prosthetics. It is suitable for beginners, makeup enthusiasts, and anyone looking to expand their skillset.

Gabriela Heath’s manual provides beginner artists with the tools to succeed in the Film and TV industry through methods, techniques, and materials for special effects makeup. It includes step-by-step demonstrations for creative and hygienic application in the field.

The book is valuable for beginners in special effects makeup and anyone interested in SFX.

Special Make-Up Effects

By Vincent J-R Kehoe

“Special Make-Up Effects” concentrates on the genre of horror characters and other special creations (fantasy, sci-fi, etc), giving tips about materials, techniques, and ‘tricks of the trade’ for Special Make-Up Effects.

This book shows how many of cinema’s most famous characters and effects were developed. It gives students and make-up artists the techniques they need to perform their own magic.

The book is a dedicated resource on special make-up effects, featuring new material from Academy Award-winning make-up artists. It has been written by a highly experienced make-up artist who has worked on more than 300 films.

A must-read for anyone interested in the art of make-up. It features behind-the-scenes stills and detailed descriptions of the techniques used by some of the most renowned make-up artists in the industry.

Special Make-Up Effects: From Man To Monster In Easy Steps

By Lawrence I Kelatow

“Special Make-up Effects” by Lawrence Kelatow teaches readers how to create makeup, prosthetics, and special effects through step-by-step instructions. The book covers design, lifecasting, mold making, casting prosthetics, and application. The author, a professional makeup artist, offers step-by-step instructions to help readers master these techniques.

The book provides easy-to-follow examples that demonstrate how to create “Out-of-the-kit” effects using minimal investment and without the need for molds or preparation.

Learn from this book how to:

• Design of Special Makeup Effects
• Out-Of-The-Kit Effects
• One-piece molds
• Lifecasting
• Two-piece molds and much, much more!

This book is suitable for both beginners and experienced makeup artists looking to brush up on their skills and learn about the latest techniques.

FX Makeup Artist Handbook: Knowledge is Power

By Matthew Cade

“Knowledge is Power” is a highly informative read for aspiring special effects makeup artists, packed with valuable knowledge and tips. Whether you are just starting out or have some experience in the field, this handbook is a great addition to your makeup kit and can help you improve your skills and techniques.

It covers a wide range of topics, including makeup, prosthetics, and other special effects elements, and provides clear instructions and explanations to help you master the art of creating stunning special effects looks.

In addition to providing step-by-step instructions, this book also covers important topics that aspiring makeup artists should know about, including:

• Hygiene
• Do’s & Dont’s
• Warnings & Health
• Anatomy
• Foam Latex Appliances
• Lighting and Color

Notice: Only digital book!

The Monstrous Make-Up Manual

By Mike Spatola

Learn how the experts create fun and frightening horror make-ups. From simple to state of the art techniques for hobbyists, haunted attractions and the film industry.

Over 26 terrifying make-ups and hundreds of pro techniques, (with Zombies and Vampires Galore!) Over 750 photos to illustrate the techniques used.

Professional techniques include easy step-by-step instructions for: Foam latex appliances, Pros-Aide transfers, encapsulated silicone appliances, airbrushing, mold making, sculpting, 3D out of the kit techniques, making dentures, face casting plus simple paint and powder make-ups too!

The Monstrous Make-Up Manual 2

By Mike Spatola

• 384 jam packed color pages
• 1200 step-by-step photos!
• Instructions for: Foam Latex Appliances, Pros-aide Transfers, Encapsulated Silicone Appliances, Gelatin Appliance, Airbrushing, Advansed Mold Making, Sculpting, Making Dentures, Face Casting and much more.
• A very detailed chapter on painting prosthetics and monsters.
• Creating disguise makeups, likeness makeups, and obtaining complete realism in your makeups.
• Expanded and more detailed entire chapter on age makeup without the use of prosthetics. All the advanced prosthetic techniques will be expanded upon using encapsulated silicone, gelatin, foam latex and pros-aide transfers, and NEW DIRECT MOLD TRANSFERS (this one technique alone is well worth this small price of the book!)
• An entire chapter to Haunted House makeup techniques.
• How to light and photograph your makeups to have your portfolio look amazing.

If you have a haunted house or simply a desire to do SFX makeup and monster makeup, this is the book for you!

The Monstrous Make-Up Manual 3

By Mike Spatola

Where Book 1 focus on simpler techniques and makeups, and Book 2 was more advanced in the lab techniques and had makeups by many celebrity makeup artists, Book 3 is all about the characters! There’s sections on new and updated techniques, body painting, aliens, undead, demons and the possessed, and a huge section on how the cover makeup was created including the props and costume/armor. Using Adobe Photoshop as a creature/makeup design tool is also discussed.

• Over 1150 step by step photos!
• Forward by 7-time OSCAR winner Rick Baker