Skip to main content

Special Effects: Prosthetics

Prosthetics are a highly versatile tool for a costumer/cosplayer. They can add a bit of natural look to any unnatural additions to your body such as pointed ears, horns, long noses, and much, much more. 

Materials - Allergy Warning

The most common material for prosthetics is LATEX. This is a rubbery, thin material that blends very nicely with human skin. However, some people have an allergic reaction to latex so you may need to look for alternative materials such as silicone. There is a growing market for non-latex Prosthetics parts. 

Depending on the part you are making, you may decide that a rubbery flesh texture is all wrong. Some alternatives to latex and silicone are: 

  • Resin - great for claws and horns and such
  • Paper-Mache - great for a bone structure, claws or horns
  • Foam - expanding foam that you carve, EVA foam, or furniture foam that you shape can make just about anything.
  • Fabric and stuffing - you can be very clever with your plushie patterns to create soft horns, hooves, muscles, and other body parts. 

Pre-Made vs DIY Prosthetics

Making your own Prosthetics takes some practice. I highly recommend checking out Monster Makers, for resources on how to create things out of latex. The process for creating a prosthetic is to create a mold and use the slip-casting technique. To be honest, I've never done it before, but I got their book on it. It requires skills in sculpting, molding, and casting. 

However, I find that there's a very healthy market of pre-made prosthetics available at retail stores around Halloween time, party stores, as well as artists selling their own things. 

Commonly, you will find prosthetics for ears, noses, horns, wounds, and other skin textures (like scales, warts, gills, and scars). You can also find a few latex masks to match a character. 

If you're looking for something a bit more unique or specialized, you'll likely need to search online especially if you need a certain look to your ear, horn, or a customized headpiece. 

Stickin' it to ya!

The most common "glues" to keep these things on are Spirit Gum, Pros-Aide, and liquid latex. These are all skin-safe, water-based adhesives for latex/silicone prosthetics. They often will have their own removers as well. They stick pretty well, although Pros-Aide does last longer and is better for sensitive skin. Do NOT use any other glues to put these on your skin. 

Blending  

So, I learned a bit about coloring latex while working on a costume. By default, latex pieces are usually an ivory or peachy tone. You can get latex in other colors or dye it beforehand, but if you purchased pre-made stuff, you're going to need to color it yourself. 

Note, you can't use an oil-based makeup or color. Don't use your make-up foundation cream or powders! It will dissolve the latex. 

You can use: 

  • Acrylic Paint
  • Water-based Body Paint
  • Rubber Mask Grease (RMG)
  • Creme Make up

I have used eye shadows on my ears but after they were painted with body paint and coated. 

Once the prosthetic matches your skintone/bodypaint, you can use liquid latex to blend the edges of the piece with your body. This always comes in white so you'll need to paint the edges as part of your blending. This video shows how it's done.


For whatever prosthetic you use, make sure you know how to apply it and remove it safely! And have fun!

Resources

Making an Asari Headpiece 

 Aradani Costumes

Make your own Elf Ears





Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one.  Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon,  So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license.  Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers.  Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors.  This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions.  Color Like I said earlier, the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hakama Series - Split Leg Hakama

This is the classic style that you likely think of when you hear the word "Hakama". Very wide-legged pleated trousers worn by swordsmen and warriors. Admittedly these are "modern" hakama. There are variations based on historical time period and social status. But these should suit most cases.  So, lets go over how to make them!  You will see examples of this in many games and Anime but some faves of mine include: Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, Demon Slayer, XXXholic, Hell's Paradise and Genshin Impact.  UPDATE 4/10/2024: I've redone all my instructions. Now that I've actually made a pair of hakama and found some more resources, I felt this needed updating.  From Chihirohowe's Guide Design Elements Color For modern or fantasy character design, no limits to color! You can also use print fabric and add designs! Historically, these would be a solid color and often have a neutral color scheme (white, grey, black, brown). More colorful hakama were usually worn ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hakama Series - Andon Bakama (Skirt Style)

Andon Bakama were hakama typically worn by women in an academic setting during the 1900s or so. Modern times, they are usually worn for formal occasions such as graduation. It is also the style that just looks nice with a kimono especially for those of us with Western hips the size of Texas.  See examples in Anime/Games: Here Comes Miss Modern, Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, Sakura Wars.  So let's get into how to make one. Tutorial style! Design Elements These are things to consider before you start.  by Chihirohowe Skirt Length Traditionally this is worn just below the ankle if you are wearing flat sandals, geta, or zori. It is worn above the ankle for sneakers, boots, and heels. You can adjust how high on your waist you wear it if you are going to switch between the two.  Colors Normally, these are a solid color, sometimes with embroidered floral patterns near the bottom. Red/Scarlet is uncommon outside of Miko. Patterned fabric is appropriate for this.  Side ...
Post a Comment
Read more