Tiki Torch Skulls
A special thanks to my friend Daren Long
for teaching me this technique!
A special thanks to my friend Daren Long
for teaching me this technique!
I used life-size foam skulls and cut out a hole from top to bottom for the tiki torch. I removed the bottom jaw and the teeth in order to customize each skull.
I used life-size foam skulls and cut out a hole from top to bottom for the tiki torch. I removed the bottom jaw and the teeth in order to customize each skull.
I attached prosthetic teeth into the upper and lower jaw using Sculpey Clay. I used a wooden skewer to set the jaw in place, giving each skull a unique facial structure.
I attached prosthetic teeth into the upper and lower jaw using Sculpey Clay. I used a wooden skewer to set the jaw in place, giving each skull a unique facial structure.
I built up the lips and mouths with Sculpey Clay and added doll eyes.
I built up the lips and mouths with Sculpey Clay and added doll eyes.
I used Sculpey Clay to fill in the eye sockets and created eyebrows, which give each skull an individual expression.
I used Sculpey Clay to fill in the eye sockets and created eyebrows, which give each skull an individual expression.
I coated the skulls in Mod Podge, then applied toilet paper for texture, making sure to fill any cuts or indentations in the clay and to give each skull a look of decaying flesh. I finished with a final coat of Mod Podge.
I coated the skulls in Mod Podge, then applied toilet paper for texture, making sure to fill any cuts or indentations in the clay and to give each skull a look of decaying flesh. I finished with a final coat of Mod Podge.
I added a base coat of black acrylic paint, avoiding the eyes and teeth.
I added a base coat of black acrylic paint, avoiding the eyes and teeth.
I dry-brushed the skulls (using a coarse bristle brush) with a fairly heavy coat of a cream-colored acrylic paint. I then used a white color for the final coat of dry-brushing. I then coated each skull with a varathane spray sealer for weather protection.
I dry-brushed the skulls (using a coarse bristle brush) with a fairly heavy coat of a cream-colored acrylic paint. I then used a white color for the final coat of dry-brushing. I then coated each skull with a varathane spray sealer for weather protection.
Each of the skulls was done to convey a unique character.
Each of the skulls was done to convey a unique character.
I removed the fuel container from the tiki torch and wired a standard bulb socket to house an LED flame bulb.
I removed the fuel container from the tiki torch and wired a standard bulb socket to house an LED flame bulb.