Cuts & Bruising Practical

The first thing when thinking about creating a bruise or cut on your model is when and were was it done? Need to have an understanding about how bruising develops over time and at what stage the bruise or cut is at when creating it.

Equipment that is good to use for creating cuts and bruising:

·      -Black stipple sponges- these have a great effect for grazing and blending into the skin.

·      -Vaseline- creates the effect of swelling to use on bruising

·      -Hair pin- use to fill in the cuts

·      -Coffee granules mixed with fake blood- create a really good colour to use in cuts and adds texture.

·      -Bruising wheel- Charles fox

·      -Spatula

·      -Wax

Step 1: Usually you would be given a reference image to work from of the kind of time period the bruise should be created in.

Always start with the lighter colours then blend in with your fingers to create a natural look the darker colours making sure you always aware of the models bone structure especially around the eye and try not to go past the eye socket. You can use a moisturiser to blend with the colour to create a more translucent shade.

 Always make sure you go right up to the lash line! Adding a red eyeliner to the insides of the eye will make the area look very sore if its too intense tone down with a baby bud.

Step 2: To create a cut warm up the wax using your spatula on the back of your hand and smooth onto the face creating thin layers to then build up.

Create the cuts with either the edge of the spatula or a hairpin.

Smooth of the edges of the wax using a moisturiser and baby bud so there are no hard edges.

Using a sealer and baby bud cover the area making sure the model has there eyes closed at all times. Wait until the area is no longer sticky and pat on your base colour and powder.

Add in either wound filler- Charles fox or the mix of coffee granules and fake blood to fill the cut.

If adding liquid fake blood apply at the last minute in filming so the blood runs in the same direction as the accident happens also take into account were the accident is happening to add realistic elements i.e.- on grass, broken window, car crash?

I loved this workshop I loved creating the bruising and blending the colours together I felt like I had a good eye for the colour pallet of the bruising although I needed to blend the bruise more into the corner of the eye socket to create a more realistic feel and in future build the colour more to show on camera.