Gravedigger – update #5
Free time for working on my props has been in short supply as of late. Every day life seems to take precidence over decorating for a holiday thats still more than a third of a year off. Nonetheless, with the past two days off, I’ve been able to find some time to dedicate to working on the Gravedigger.
Since the last update, I’ve added a few new things, the first of which was the addition of a tongue. The more I looked at the face of the prop, the more I felt like something was missing. I set out to fix that post haste, since I still had access to the mouth from under the jaw. Like many other home haunters, I tend to keep some of the oddest crap “just in case”. This time, it was a large lump of Great Stuff that had been shaved off of the top of my PVC Candles. I carved a block to fit inside of the bottom jaw, and then carved the tounge from it. A layer of Liquid Latex, a sheet of toilet paper, another layer of latex, and a quick coat of paint were all that were needed thereafter. I was very pleased with the outcome of the tongue, and I’ll very likely use the same process again in the future.
Another new addition is the right ear. I do plan to add hair, but likely not nearly enough to hide an ear (or the absence of one). Since the right side of his head is much more intact than the left, I figured I’d better try to add an ear to make things look right. The ear was comprised entirely of latex and cotton. It’s not the best looking ear, but then he’s not the best looking guy either.
Other than the above, the rest has just been working my way down the arms and torso with the latex and cotton. Still lots more to do, but it’s getting there.
2 Responses “Gravedigger – update #5”
Holy Moly, that first pic when this page open shocked me
Guess it served it’s purpose…scaring someone. This turned out great SK! I love how you continue to branch OUT from your creativity and always do new things. Reminds me of someone else I know who is also taking on a huge Halloween project this year, plus a change to his haunt for 2010. I see he’s not the only one who wants to push the envelope 
This looks amazing and I love how he’s not quite all the way decomposed either and he looks like fresh meat for the dead…or OF the dead 
It was GREAT seeing you on chat tonight! SOS’s streaming webcam seems to bring in the folks for the chat box so I hope to see you there more often so we can catch up. Time permitting of course cause Halloween is 15 weeks away!! Gotta get at it. Have a great day and I send my best to your family
I’m very impressed with the Gravedigger! Very cool! It looks like you’ve been practicing with the liquid latex and cotton combo — in fact, I think his ear looks perfectly creepy!
I also can tell you’ve been working hard at making the tissue attach in a manner that’s very anatomically correct. I especially love how it looks around the cheek bone arch of the skull. This is going to be one helluva prop!