WE LANDED A WHALE

This weeks lesson by Oscar and Emmy winningMakeup FX designerChristien Tinsleyis an interview, a history lesson and a step-by-step demonstration all in one.

We finally got the chance to sit down with himand we sure got more than we ever thought we would. Chris Nelmes, one of our fans put it this way, “Getting Christien Tinsley to give a lesson on 3D transfers. That’s like Edison teaching you how to make a lightbulb!!!”

Join us andChristien for the amazing story of Tinsley Transfers.

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

To understand the creation of the Pros-Aide Transfer, its best to know how and why it originated. Its here that Christien begins the lesson, speaking about the innovative process itself.

Christien explains that most innovation within the makeup effects industry has come from necessity. By using his own personal examples from The Passion of the Christ, he explains how the necessity for a prosthetic to be stronger from wear and tear, can battle water, and also create less time in the chair, led to creation of the prosthetic transfer. By experimenting with freezing glue, he discovered that its properties can change. This was the spark. And its this historical knowledge that provides the foundation for everything to come.

GRAB A HUNK OF MUD

After his initial discussions about the spirit of innovation, and the origin of the prosthetic transfer, Christien takes you through the process itself. He begins with the initial sculpt. This sculpt is a multiple slice cut that resembles a rake mark. Its a delicate sculpt that he creates with some oil-based clay on a block of laminate. He carefully crafts each wound, smoothing down the edges to be as feathery as possibly. After the final touches of skin texture, its time to mold.

Christien masterfully sculpts a wound.
MOLDING A TINSLEY TRANSFER

The mold itself is an interesting thing to watch on such a small scale. Weve seen large molds before, but this is a different animal. Building the flashing has a specific technique, as well as constructing the border. Even after the silicone is mixed and poured, Christien shares a specific technique for getting rid of air bubbles by using a spray can directly on the silicone. Hes very specific about it, and its good to watch.

PROSTHETIC TRANSFER MATERIAL – PTM

Next is the mixing of the prosthetic transfer material. Now, this section has a lot of secrecy to it, as the reasons why are specifically pointed out by Christien. But he still provides you with a basic recipe for this material. And while it wont be exactly the secret recipe that he has perfected over the years, it still provides a good place to start. After the PTM is cast, and its put in the freezer, we now have a completed piece. Its time for application.

THE MAKEUP CHAIR – YOU & THE ACTOR

Matt Winston is the victim in this lesson, getting some nice sized gouges across the forehead. Christien places the prosthetic transfer on, and it essentially works like a temporary tattoo, just sticking directly onto the skin. Easy as pie. Now its time for makeup and blood.

Christien has many tips for how to paint flesh better. Yes, there are many pre-bottled colors you can buy to achieve various skin tones. But he suggests that you learn how to create all types of skin tones by simply using the primary colors and black and white. This way, you know how to heat or cool colors, and basically learn the process instead of just buying something that may, or may not, perfectly match. After he matches the skin tone, and adds blood, the wound is finished. It looks like Matt took one to the forehead from a gardening claw.

CHRISTIEN’S CHALLENGE

Christien concludes by a bit more of the interview process, and advice to anyone wanting to break into the makeup effects industry. All in all, from beginning to end, this is as thorough of a lesson on prosthetic transfers as youll ever see. Dig in.