Getting old

While I could easily be referring to myself, I'm actually referring to aging a Charlie head. I've wanted to make an "old guy" conversion character for quite some time. In doing so, I've wanted to use as little Magic-Sculpt as possible to alter the face. Magic-Sculpt is a wonderful substance, but too much of it can add an objectionable amount of weight.

So I've been studying people's faces (including my own), and observing the work of other figure makers to identify the facial areas that could be slightly altered to age the face. Here's my checklist:

• Add small bags under the eyes that trail off to the outside corners of the eyes
• Create small "crows feet" at the corner of the eyes. The charlie heads already have a couple of wrinkles there.
• Use small rolls of Magic-Sculpt that span the width of the forehead. Stack them across the forehead one on top of another from the hairline to the eyebrows. The areas in between each roll become wrinkles.
• Add a small amount of Magic-Sculpt on the side of the jaw openings to create jowls.
• Add a small roll of Magic-Sculpt from the corners of the mouth to just below the cheeks to create another pair of small jowls.
• Add a small ball of Magic-Sculpt to the earlobes.
• Add an upside-down "V" on the neck to suggest a "turkey-neck".

The list may suggest a lot of Magic-Sculpt, but actually the amounts are very small. The head will be slightly heavier than a young Charlie head, but not to the point of discomfort.

Painting the wrinkle highlights has also been challenging. While my technique is still not perfect, I think the fellow I'm working on will turn out well. He'll also sport a white mustache, white "Andy Rooney" eyebrows, and a white wig with a receding hairline.