DIY Realistic Rotten Skull Prop for Halloween, Haunts, Theatre or Short films
In the tutorial below from the YouTube channel TESTED, makeup artist Frank Ippolito demonstrates how to use paint, liquid latex, cotton, and a fake skull to create a highly realistic, rotting and aged skull that can be used in short films, cosplay, or as Halloween decor. The technique of creating this type of prop is called “corpsing” by makeup effects artists and Halloween haunters.
Supplies for making a realistic rotten skull
- Fake skull
- Liquid Latex
- Acrylic paint
- Chip brush
- Popsicle stick
Can this technique of using latex and cotton for “corpsing” be used to create other props?
This technique can also be used on other bones and body parts. I have also seen a prop maker at my local theater make an old and rotting duck with this technique! You can also add a bloody paint job if you want to make the item look fresher and newer.
Can I make a rotten skull without Liquid Latex?
If you don’t have access to latex and need the prop to be done quickly, you can use glue as an alternative, but in my experience, latex is best. You can read more about liquid latex in this post:
The video tutorial is made by TESTED – Norman Chan, Will Smith, Joey Fameli, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman.
Post written by Sander Skarås Pedersen, SPFX.NO
Photos – By the TESTED-team and Sander Skarås Pedersen.
