The Morbius Build Diary Part V: The CLAW & TEXTURING of Morbius!
Hey Gang,
So onward to part V of the build. After nearly completing the application of the 1/8" foam as the 'skin' over the body form we jumped back in to make some tweaks and finish that up altogther to have some fun with latex and texturing.
More Pics and info
Over the intervening weekend, Paul had pre sewn a giant zipper onto two pre-cut patches of a tough burlap type fabric to be applied to the back of the suit so it could be easily opened and closed for when I need to get in and out of it.
Aligning Back Zipper
Also Paul's friend who owned the shop were were working in happened to have a perfect replica brain we could use to make a mold of in order to pull a lighter foam copy for our Morbius Head. I love it when a plan comes together.
The BRAIN!!!
Then we cut out a section of foam in the neck about where my eyeline would be so I could see. Once removed we then used some of the scrap black mesh paul had in order to barge over the hole to hide my human eyes peeking out from the neck.
Putting mesh to good use
Tracing Mesh area so I'll be able to see.
Foam removed for mesh
Prepping Mesh with Barge
Mesh applied!
Once worked out, the application of this was pretty easy.
While getting the mesh going we prepped the back zipper with a LOT of Barge- this had to be coated twice once to seal it and then another time to actually glue it since fabric is more porous than foam.
Cutting/Prepping Back to add Zipper
Drying the barge to ready the Zipper for application
The Zipper of Morbius!
Next was the front neck. To really give the area the wrinkly texture as it show sin the episode, Paul pre-sprayed a sheet of 1/8" foam with spray glue and then carefully scrunched and crumpled it in waves to give the texture we wanted. Once satisfied, this was followed up by carefully cutting away pieces in-between so I would have slits to see through unobstructed.
Making wrinkles for the neck out of the 1/8" foam
Cutting slits in the wrinkles so I'll have something to see through
Then it was a matter of applying the finished foam piece with spray glue- like a widow's veil.
Wrinkling down
Smoothing out the details
Cutting away excess
Cut away your excess ad voila- one crinkly neck of Morbius.
The Wrinkled Neck of Morbius
To really make this area sing we added a cuple extra triangle shapes to accentuate the inward "V" shape of the neck.
Adding Extra 1/8" foam skin for the 'v' shape.
Finally we went over the body and added small patches of 1/8" foam to little areas on the front and underarm we'd missed the day before using the trusty spray glue cans.
Patching more 1/8" foam to the underarm
Next up was the thick cord. We cut a few lengths of this and using our ref pictures and the action figure determined what areas would need the Frankenstein stitiching. The cord would be spray glued in place in these areas to create the raised skin effect and have silver stitching added afterwards down the line over this area.
The cord we used for the 'stitching' base
Applying cord over Sharpie tracing
Chest cord in place
We added this cord to the chest and along the back waist and down the left thigh.
Leg cord in place
During this time the slow process of making the fiberglass mold for the Brain had begun!
Mold Making for the Brain begins
Next we turned to giving the skin some texture and really make it look scarred and ganky like it doe sin the show. We started by applying heat- using a soldering iron with a flat bit at the end. But the results were so-so at best.
Texturing Morbius- with a Hot soldering iron and a flat bit
This was mainly used to scar up and 'smooth' the foam lines and joins on the body.
Scarring/smoothing over foam joins and seams
Having poor luck with this though we tried a new arrow bit with a pointed end which was marginally better. We started resorting to using the sides of the iron which generated the most heat.
Scarring skin- trying the pointed arrow end bit
Resorting to using the side of the iron where it generated the most heat
This wasn't moving fast enough though so we finally resorted to the BIG gun or rather the Heat Gun which was just what we needed and made the rest of the process go swiftly.
Kid Gloves are off- going to the Heat Gun
Scarred Morbius
After giving the suit a once over with the heat gun, Paul showed me another neat little texturing trick. Using the Spray Glue in a fashion it was NEVER meant for, you hold the can back a few feet and let the glue buildup on the foam creating little flacks and bubbles and general nasty textures. It's a lot like those spray strong cans you'd get at a toy store but on a smaller more subtle scale. It worked well and you could lightly hit an area or totally go to town.
Added texture with.. spray glue build up!
Morbius getting the deluxe skin treatment
After finishing the spray glue, it was time for the first layer of latex. We borrowed a spray gun to make the process go fastr but this can all be done by hand and brush.
Readying latex in the spray gun
Mixing in a little paint for a base color
We mixed in a little tan paint for a base color and sprayed down the entire foam suit pretty thoroughly.
Ready to spread some latex
Adding the first latex Layer
Stage 1 complete
Afterwards, we set the form to dry in the daytime sun over lunch. When we got back we took a moment to add spandex pieces to the crotch and underarms in order to help prevent tears on these high stress points and assist a little in general movement. A little cutting and spray glue and this was done in a jiffy.
Adding spandex peices to the underarms to prevent tears and help movement.
Paul taking a little too much joy in grabbing the crotch of Morbius
More Spandex for the crotch and other arm
Next we hit the body with another layer of texturing spray glue.
More spray glue for texture
Then we busted out the Heat Gun to scar up and REALLY texture the legs as they looked especially foul in the TV episode. We tried to create the effect of the three toes on the bottom feet as well.
Repeating the Heat Gun Process to the lower Legs
Afterwards Paul hit the legs with another textured 'beauty' pass of spray glue.
Spray Glue Texture for the legs
Scarred legs of Morbius
Then it was time for the second layer of latex. This time a very thick kind designed more to seal up the suit and really thicken the rubber skin. This was applied by hand and brush as it was too thick for spray gun use.
Time for the heavy duty Latex
Apply the thicker latex with the chip brushes
Afterwards we went back to the boots with the thin tan latex and gave them a good once over with the spray gun.
Boots follow in getting spray latexed
Satisified with the work we set the pieces out to dry while moving back to the work bench and the CLAW of Morbius.
Leaving pieces to dry.
Inside, we re-assessed where the Claw had been left the previous day. The basic Shapes had been cut and barged together out of L-200 foam. It just needed finishing.
Claw Pieces
So quickly a top piece was added via barge to the lower claw to complete it.
Top added to lower claw
Then we tested the shapes while thinking out various mechanism to make it open and close. Our first thought was to jury rig a spring at the 'hinge' or re-work one of those long pincher/claw contraptions kids use on a long pole. But this was all getting rather complex.
Testing Claw
REALLY Testing the claw
We eventually decide don keeping it simple. Making a simple hinge out of PVC plastic and then hooking the hooking the upper claw in a single place so I could close it easily by moving the lower claw up and down to meet it. My arm was actually going to be IN the Lower Claw anyway so it would be easy to control the movement.
Applying 1/8" foam skin to the claw
Next was to add the very last of 1/8" foam to the claw to give it the skin treament. Again- we had just barely enough!
Painting the Legs with thicker latex
Leaving Legs to dry overnight
Then we brought in the now Dry legs and we added a 2nd layer of the thick black rubber latex to them. Leaving the bottom for some fabric we'd apply in the morning. Finally we left these to try overnight.
While I focused on the legs, Paul gave the body one last beauty spray of painted latex for durability and more base color. He wheeled it back in to dry overnight and it was looking smashing!!!
Morbius after applying a 3rd layer of latex from the spray can mixed with paint to help color.
Morbius at stopping point for the day. leaving latest Latex to Dry overnight
We took the newly formed Claw and added it to the arm to start to get the complete effect and it was mighty impressive!
Paul admires the work and adjusts the claw.
Morbius shall rise again!!!!
Morbius was really taking shape and coming together!!!
Part VI of the build continues with more fine tuning, brains, cotton balls & more LATEXING of Morbius!
-Honorarydoctor
So onward to part V of the build. After nearly completing the application of the 1/8" foam as the 'skin' over the body form we jumped back in to make some tweaks and finish that up altogther to have some fun with latex and texturing.
More Pics and info
Over the intervening weekend, Paul had pre sewn a giant zipper onto two pre-cut patches of a tough burlap type fabric to be applied to the back of the suit so it could be easily opened and closed for when I need to get in and out of it.
Aligning Back Zipper
Also Paul's friend who owned the shop were were working in happened to have a perfect replica brain we could use to make a mold of in order to pull a lighter foam copy for our Morbius Head. I love it when a plan comes together.
The BRAIN!!!
Then we cut out a section of foam in the neck about where my eyeline would be so I could see. Once removed we then used some of the scrap black mesh paul had in order to barge over the hole to hide my human eyes peeking out from the neck.
Putting mesh to good use
Tracing Mesh area so I'll be able to see.
Foam removed for mesh
Prepping Mesh with Barge
Mesh applied!
Once worked out, the application of this was pretty easy.
While getting the mesh going we prepped the back zipper with a LOT of Barge- this had to be coated twice once to seal it and then another time to actually glue it since fabric is more porous than foam.
Cutting/Prepping Back to add Zipper
Drying the barge to ready the Zipper for application
The Zipper of Morbius!
Next was the front neck. To really give the area the wrinkly texture as it show sin the episode, Paul pre-sprayed a sheet of 1/8" foam with spray glue and then carefully scrunched and crumpled it in waves to give the texture we wanted. Once satisfied, this was followed up by carefully cutting away pieces in-between so I would have slits to see through unobstructed.
Making wrinkles for the neck out of the 1/8" foam
Cutting slits in the wrinkles so I'll have something to see through
Then it was a matter of applying the finished foam piece with spray glue- like a widow's veil.
Wrinkling down
Smoothing out the details
Cutting away excess
Cut away your excess ad voila- one crinkly neck of Morbius.
The Wrinkled Neck of Morbius
To really make this area sing we added a cuple extra triangle shapes to accentuate the inward "V" shape of the neck.
Adding Extra 1/8" foam skin for the 'v' shape.
Finally we went over the body and added small patches of 1/8" foam to little areas on the front and underarm we'd missed the day before using the trusty spray glue cans.
Patching more 1/8" foam to the underarm
Next up was the thick cord. We cut a few lengths of this and using our ref pictures and the action figure determined what areas would need the Frankenstein stitiching. The cord would be spray glued in place in these areas to create the raised skin effect and have silver stitching added afterwards down the line over this area.
The cord we used for the 'stitching' base
Applying cord over Sharpie tracing
Chest cord in place
We added this cord to the chest and along the back waist and down the left thigh.
Leg cord in place
During this time the slow process of making the fiberglass mold for the Brain had begun!
Mold Making for the Brain begins
Next we turned to giving the skin some texture and really make it look scarred and ganky like it doe sin the show. We started by applying heat- using a soldering iron with a flat bit at the end. But the results were so-so at best.
Texturing Morbius- with a Hot soldering iron and a flat bit
This was mainly used to scar up and 'smooth' the foam lines and joins on the body.
Scarring/smoothing over foam joins and seams
Having poor luck with this though we tried a new arrow bit with a pointed end which was marginally better. We started resorting to using the sides of the iron which generated the most heat.
Scarring skin- trying the pointed arrow end bit
Resorting to using the side of the iron where it generated the most heat
This wasn't moving fast enough though so we finally resorted to the BIG gun or rather the Heat Gun which was just what we needed and made the rest of the process go swiftly.
Kid Gloves are off- going to the Heat Gun
Scarred Morbius
After giving the suit a once over with the heat gun, Paul showed me another neat little texturing trick. Using the Spray Glue in a fashion it was NEVER meant for, you hold the can back a few feet and let the glue buildup on the foam creating little flacks and bubbles and general nasty textures. It's a lot like those spray strong cans you'd get at a toy store but on a smaller more subtle scale. It worked well and you could lightly hit an area or totally go to town.
Added texture with.. spray glue build up!
Morbius getting the deluxe skin treatment
After finishing the spray glue, it was time for the first layer of latex. We borrowed a spray gun to make the process go fastr but this can all be done by hand and brush.
Readying latex in the spray gun
Mixing in a little paint for a base color
We mixed in a little tan paint for a base color and sprayed down the entire foam suit pretty thoroughly.
Ready to spread some latex
Adding the first latex Layer
Stage 1 complete
Afterwards, we set the form to dry in the daytime sun over lunch. When we got back we took a moment to add spandex pieces to the crotch and underarms in order to help prevent tears on these high stress points and assist a little in general movement. A little cutting and spray glue and this was done in a jiffy.
Adding spandex peices to the underarms to prevent tears and help movement.
Paul taking a little too much joy in grabbing the crotch of Morbius
More Spandex for the crotch and other arm
Next we hit the body with another layer of texturing spray glue.
More spray glue for texture
Then we busted out the Heat Gun to scar up and REALLY texture the legs as they looked especially foul in the TV episode. We tried to create the effect of the three toes on the bottom feet as well.
Repeating the Heat Gun Process to the lower Legs
Afterwards Paul hit the legs with another textured 'beauty' pass of spray glue.
Spray Glue Texture for the legs
Scarred legs of Morbius
Then it was time for the second layer of latex. This time a very thick kind designed more to seal up the suit and really thicken the rubber skin. This was applied by hand and brush as it was too thick for spray gun use.
Time for the heavy duty Latex
Apply the thicker latex with the chip brushes
Afterwards we went back to the boots with the thin tan latex and gave them a good once over with the spray gun.
Boots follow in getting spray latexed
Satisified with the work we set the pieces out to dry while moving back to the work bench and the CLAW of Morbius.
Leaving pieces to dry.
Inside, we re-assessed where the Claw had been left the previous day. The basic Shapes had been cut and barged together out of L-200 foam. It just needed finishing.
Claw Pieces
So quickly a top piece was added via barge to the lower claw to complete it.
Top added to lower claw
Then we tested the shapes while thinking out various mechanism to make it open and close. Our first thought was to jury rig a spring at the 'hinge' or re-work one of those long pincher/claw contraptions kids use on a long pole. But this was all getting rather complex.
Testing Claw
REALLY Testing the claw
We eventually decide don keeping it simple. Making a simple hinge out of PVC plastic and then hooking the hooking the upper claw in a single place so I could close it easily by moving the lower claw up and down to meet it. My arm was actually going to be IN the Lower Claw anyway so it would be easy to control the movement.
Applying 1/8" foam skin to the claw
Next was to add the very last of 1/8" foam to the claw to give it the skin treament. Again- we had just barely enough!
Painting the Legs with thicker latex
Leaving Legs to dry overnight
Then we brought in the now Dry legs and we added a 2nd layer of the thick black rubber latex to them. Leaving the bottom for some fabric we'd apply in the morning. Finally we left these to try overnight.
While I focused on the legs, Paul gave the body one last beauty spray of painted latex for durability and more base color. He wheeled it back in to dry overnight and it was looking smashing!!!
Morbius after applying a 3rd layer of latex from the spray can mixed with paint to help color.
Morbius at stopping point for the day. leaving latest Latex to Dry overnight
We took the newly formed Claw and added it to the arm to start to get the complete effect and it was mighty impressive!
Paul admires the work and adjusts the claw.
Morbius shall rise again!!!!
Morbius was really taking shape and coming together!!!
Part VI of the build continues with more fine tuning, brains, cotton balls & more LATEXING of Morbius!
-Honorarydoctor