How to make a Latex Batman Mask

[babygiant6]

Don't try this at home.

[BGtheeAwesome]

Your ears were to far apart.

[TheSplat245]

U did stuff the ears abit I'm thinking of making one. I'm going to make the dark knight rises cowl from the new movie coming in July 2012 I'm seeing it strate away when it comes out

[ThePhantomMonk]

@TheSplat245 No I didn't need to stuff the ears at all, they stand up fine on their own! Good luck with your cowl. :)

[eskate45]

How much of the mask making latex did you use? I'm trying to find out so I don't buy too much and don't use all of it. Thanks. :)

[ThePhantomMonk]

@eskate45 its difficult to say exactly, probably about a third of a litre! You won't need more than half a litre for this anyway. Hope this helps!

[eskate45]

@ThePhantomMonk Ok thanks this sure will help me. Did you make any other Batman cowls?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@eskate45 No, but I've made other masks! I'm glad this is helpful to you.

[eskate45]

@ThePhantomMonk Ok and thanks again :)

[themaskboy1234]

thats amazing

[ThePhantomMonk]

@themaskboy1234 Thanks very much!

[LeviticusMedia]

Where did you get the latex at? and at what cost?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@LeviticusMedia I got it from a website called propbuilder, theres a link in the description. I got the 5 litre size that they are currently selling for £26.99!

[BROKENHOUSEFILMS]

i love that you went with old school batman. it looks kinda thin though, did it rip easily?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@BROKENHOUSEFILMS The costume I made it for is quite old school looking. Its stretchy enough to go over my head without ripping at all, I didn't want it too thick for that reason! And its still OK after over a year!!!

[BROKENHOUSEFILMS]

@ThePhantomMonk thanks for making this video by the way. Ive been wanted to make a batman mask for a while and i think this will really help:)

[ThePhantomMonk]

@BROKENHOUSEFILMS Thanks for the comments :)

[elpaiza1000]

cool



[ThePhantomMonk]

@elpaiza1000 Thanks!

[1ManOnFir3]

What kind of liquid latex did you use? Rubber latex?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@1ManOnFir3 I used Moulding Latex, but I'm pretty sure all liquid latex is more or less the same stuff.

[RandomizationShow]

Owl-man?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@RandomizationShow lol, I keep getting comments about the ears! Next time I should sculpt from a picture rather than doing it from memory!!!

[RandomizationShow]

@ThePhantomMonk even with the ears, its still amazing dude

[ThePhantomMonk]

@RandomizationShow Thanks very much!

[luker350]

my sons name is simon

[elpaiza1000]

that was easy

for me

[venicegalindo56]

i was just thinking of using the clay at my local art store which is used for sculpting and hardens , but i can see if they do have oil based

[ThePhantomMonk]

@venicegalindo56 Its worth getting if you plan on making more masks, you don't need to keep buying clay for each one!

[venicegalindo56]

i was wondering if u need oil based modeling clay or can u just use regular modeling clay ?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@venicegalindo56 Oil based clay is used because you can apply the latex as soon as you've finished sculpting, plus you can remove it from your armature easily and reuse it again and again. You could probably use regular clay but you'd have to wait for it to dry before applying the latex, also the only way to get this off the head armature after would be to smash it!

What clay are you thinking of using?

[venicegalindo56]

what clay can i use ?

[latkri01]

can u make me one? (mask ill give u the plans)

[ThePhantomMonk]

@latkri01 I'm flattered you should ask, unfortunately I don't have the time! If this was my job then I could but I have to do a regular job and fit this kinda thing in where I can, sorry!

[venicegalindo56]

does the clay have to be oil based or can it just be regular modeling clay ?

[beck96100]

where would i get a head armacher??

[ThePhantomMonk]

@beck96100 I got mine from propbuilder . co . uk, I've put a couple of links in the description which should help.

[detroitfantg1]

@beck96100 you could probably get one at hobby lobby or a craft store

[cisco9103]

You mask sucks

[anira409]

can you polish it to give it shine ? can you use the same method to make a catsuit?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@anira409 It is quite shiny as it is but apparently you can use a silicone based shining spray although I've never used it so can't give you any more information on that. I guess you could use it for a cat suit but it gets pretty hot in the mask!!!

[anira409]

@ThePhantomMonk thank you

[Kurasa93]

ho much latex did you use? I mean, in quantity ^^ thanks

[ThePhantomMonk]

@Kurasa93 About a third of a litre! I don't measure it exactly, just use as much as it takes to make 10 layers so I mix it up a little at a time.

[Kurasa93]

@ThePhantomMonk thanks a lot, love your tutorial and I'm going to use it for a voldemort mask ^^ hope it comes out decent :P

[ThePhantomMonk]

@Kurasa93 Great, I hope it goes well and I'd love to know how it turns out!

[Kurasa93]

@ThePhantomMonk I'll post a pic/video of the outcome c:

[greenteakilling]

This is fantastic - your process seems fairly simple and easy to do. :) I'm definitely using this for when I need to make my Batgirl cowl!

[ThePhantomMonk]

@greenteakilling Glad to help, let me know how it comes out!

[Horis573]

Thnks, yea I need moor liquid latex first thoe. The one with the lobotomy scar is the next sculpt to cover.

[Horis573]

If u can, u should send me some feedback on mine, search (latex halloween mask) and scroll down till u find the one I uploaded,

[Horis573]

If u can, u should search latex halloween mask, n scroll down till u see the one uploaded by me, I used the same technique to make that mask... Feedback?

[Horis573]

That is actually understandable, face looks good!

[ThePhantomMonk]

@Horis573 Thanks :)

[Horis573]

Ha ha the bat ears look gay, too far apart. Great process thoe, I've made a couple my self, beats making a mould!

[ThePhantomMonk]

@Horis573 lol, I get a lot of comments about the ears! I did them like that to cover up my actual ears which you could see as lumps under the mask of the store brought costume I have, this mask is to replace that one!!!

[multicomicbookgeek]

awsome mask . it looks like the first apperence batman

[ThePhantomMonk]

@multicomicbookgeek Thanks!

[Vampirez41]

How many ounces of latex did you use? Really cool mask dude!

[ThePhantomMonk]

@Vampirez41 I don't know I've got a 5 Litre can of the stuff so just applied it till I had 10 layers. The mask weighs 4 and a half ounces now, but I imagine its heavier when wet!!! Hope this helps!

[MrCloudyrainbow]

That is better than the real ones and I made one but it is not as good as yours well done

[ThePhantomMonk]

@MrCloudyrainbow Thanks very much!

[yankovic1234]

its good, but whats up with the horns?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@yankovic1234 lol, yeah I get that a lot! I didn't look at any pictures when sculpting I just did it from memory, I realise now they do look a little like horns but its my own version!!! :)

[yankovic1234]

@ThePhantomMonk its still pretty good

[ThePhantomMonk]

@yankovic1234 Thanks!

[astromonster97]

can baby powder also be used because i cant find any talc powder

[ThePhantomMonk]

@astromonster97 Yes that would be fine.

[astromonster97]

@ThePhantomMonk  where can i find liquid latex because i do not know where to find it

[ThePhantomMonk]

@astromonster97 Try your local craft or hobby store, if not you can buy it online google The Monster Makers. Hope this helps!

[devwiththewelch]

two tip, 1. i would of applied more layers of latex 2.you could put foam on the inside to bulk it up, so it looks better on your face, other than that nice mask

[ThePhantomMonk]

@devwiththewelch Thanks for the comments, agreed more layers may have been better and I might bulking it out with foam, thanks!

[minta33]

I have that maneqin head!

[ThePhantomMonk]

@minta33 cool, have you made many masks with it?

[BarkerBoyTV]

great scult but a little tip make the ear things pushe back they look a bit like horns but thanks u helped me alot

[ThePhantomMonk]

@BarkerBoyTV Yeah I see what you mean, I did it like this to cover up my actual ears as the cowl I got with the costume I brought looked odd because you could see lumps on the sides where your ears are!!! Thanks for the comment and glad I could help!

[FreaksNdolls]

Great sculpt!

[ThePhantomMonk]

@FreaksNdolls Thanks very much!

[MakingMovesMajor]

Looks too sloppy

[ThePhantomMonk]

@MakingMovesMajor The texture didn't turn out quite how I wanted it but its still better than the cowl the came with the costume I brought. It probably would have turned ot better if I'd made a plaster mould from the sculpture but I wanted to keep the cost down as it was a one off!

[HOLGFILM]

@ThePhantomMonk try using black latex paint about 3:1 latex to paint

[TheSpaiterspencer123]

Looks like crap

[ThePhantomMonk]

@TheSpaiterspencer123 But it looks better than the one that came with the costume I brought, thats all I wanted!

[WickedKnight07]

would this method effect details if you decide to do different kinds of masks?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@WickedKnight07 I think you could used this method for other masks but you will loose fine details. If you want to capture finer details on a mask you'd be better off making a plaster cast from your clay sculpture and pouring the latex into that, the problem here is it costs a lot more but you can make lots of identical masks from the plaster mould once you've made it.

[atomicfile2]

does it have to be oil based?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@atomicfile2 Yes oil based clay is usually used for sculpting a mould for a mask because you don't have to wait for it to dry before applying the latex, and you can reuse it again and again! I use one called Kleen Klay which is used in the movie industry, but there are other makes like Plasticine that work just the same. I've even seen a tutorial on youtube showing how to make oil based clay although I've not tried it!

[atomicfile2]

@ThePhantomMonk one more thing is plasticene oil based clay i saw some

[ThePhantomMonk]

@atomicfile2 Yes, thats what I used before I got the Kleen Klay.

[mikebalboa25]

@ThePhantomMonk: I'm creating my own batman mask as well but it's gonna be my new version of it

[ThePhantomMonk]

@mikebalboa25 cool, are you gonna post a video when you're done?

[mikebalboa25]

@ThePhantomMonk yes

[ThePhantomMonk]

@mikebalboa25 Great, I look forwardto seeing it!

[ThePhantomMonk]

Thanks for all the questions guys, there are some good points coming up that I haven't put in the tutorial. Keep them coming and I'll answer them as best I can.

[lambchop206]

do you need to wait 2 hours for each layer when you are painting it

[ThePhantomMonk]

@lambchop206 You don't have to wait 2 hours, as long as its touch dry before applying the next layer that should be fine. You can also speed things up with a hair dryer on a cool setting.

[lambchop206]

when you are waiting for the layers to dry does the paint/latex mix have to be covered by somthing to keep that from drying

[ThePhantomMonk]

@lambchop206 That is a good idea yes, I usually cover my container with cling film/saran wrap.

[lambchop206]

where do you get liqud latex



[ThePhantomMonk]

@lambchop206 Try your local hobby store or you can find it online, monster makers . com actually have liquid latex already coloured black with the same pigment they supplied for Batman Begins.

[lambchop206]

@ThePhantomMonk thank you

[lambchop206]

@ThePhantomMonk what hoppy store do you recomend

[ThePhantomMonk]

@lambchop206 I live in the UK and use Hobbycraft cos its the only one near me that sells liquid latex but if you're in the US or any other country I wouldn't know where to suggest.

[ThePhantomMonk]

@spiderdragonZ I left it about 2 hours between each layer but aslong as its touch dry its fine. You can speed things up with a hair dryer or a cool setting, don't try drying with heat as this could ruin your mask.

[ThePhantomMonk]

@spiderdragonZ It's nice to hear you're going to have a go, it would be cool if you'd let me know how it goes. Liquid latex is non toxic and safe for people aged 10 upwards to use unless you have very sensitive skin, allergies to ammonia, sulfur, and/or latex-based products. Kids should be supervised, avoid contact with eyes, dont ingest, use in a well ventilated area and always read the manufacturers instructions before use. Hope this helps.

[lexxman1]

how can i make this mask look not so shiny....??? it looks cool but too shiny..

is it in the paint you used?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@lexxman1 I think its the latex that makes it shinny and don't think you'll get a matt finish using this method. I've made other masks by making a plaster mould of the clay sculpture, then pouring the latex into the mould this gives a more matt finish but is more expensive.

[kirbystarburst]

around how much did it costed you?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@kirbystarburst the head armature in the video cost about £20 (but you can get a polystyrene one for about £6) and 6 pounds of clay costs around £15 but you can use these again and again for other masks. A litre of liquid latex costs about £6 but only I used a third of that for this mask, acrylic paint you can pick up for a couple of pounds a tube. Once you have the head and clay each mask will only cost you 2 or 3 puonds, but as a one off it's probably cheaper to buy a mask ready made!

[onetoknowall]

go you let each layer of latex dry before you put on the next layer

[ThePhantomMonk]

@onetoknowall Yes, I find a couple of hours between each layer is enough as long as you don't put it on too thick. But once you've done all the layers I'd leave it at least 12 hours before removing it from the mould!

[onetoknowall]

@ThePhantomMonk thanks a lot man

[rhunin]

@onetoknowall You can use hair dryer to dry layers. You must do it ready in 24h cose after that layers don't take one

[iq12212]

can you use spray paint when finished

[ThePhantomMonk]

@iq12212 I would say no because it would probably flake off as the latex stretches. You need to used a flexible paint like acrylic, mixed with latex or a pigment designed for latex painting.

[derrbare]

Is it okay to use Matte Black paint? (Flat black)

[ThePhantomMonk]

@derrbare The problem with this method of mask making is you mix the paint with the latex and latex has a natural gloss to it when dry so I don't think mixing matt black with it would make any difference. You can probably get matt black paint you can airbrush on after moulding but you'd have to make sure it's designed for latex.

[derrbare]

@ThePhantomMonk Hmm alright. Oh and do you know how to make foam latex or where to get some?

[ThePhantomMonk]

@derrbare I've not used foam latex yet but monster makers . com offer some good kits.

[MrLaserlover01]

o thanx

[MrLaserlover01]

Did u desine it or did u copy it from a movie cuz i never seen one like it b4

[ThePhantomMonk]

@MrLaserlover01 I didn't copy it from a movie, I just sculpted it how I thought it should look.

[nonstradomus]

recpekt cool

[Killfox13]

thanx i was thinking of dowing the same thin but wored that it wondint work but now i no thax

[ThePhantomMonk]

@Killfox13 Glad I could help!