Why Don't We Taxidermy Humans

The good folks at V Sauce present a very interesting short video in which they explains different ways by which a human corpse could be preserved, and the legal and technical reasons preventing the taxidermy of human beings.

It is a must watch for anyone interested in what happens post death. Also, if you go on youtube, in the description of the videos, there is a cornucopia of links about the different subjects addressed in the video.

Good to pass an hour or two of your time!

Taxidermy: In which we add flesh to the beast

Greetings, one and all! We are getting close, dangerously close, to completing the amazing feejee mermaid. This time, we'll see how one can apply a realistic, strong skin to the upper body to make it look like the dessicated flesh of a mummified corpse.

This part is my favorite. It's fun and messy, and doesn't require much talent nor concentration; it's impossible to make it look bad.

To add flesh and skin to some bone or armature, I like to use a combination of materials to achieve maximum strength and realism. For large areas, it's simply a matter of layering. For highly detailed zones, such as the hands or face, it's almost like sculpting with papier mâché.

Read the full tutorial with pictures after the jump.

Fairy corpse tutorial

The always interesting Cobwebs at Shadowmanor recently posted a great, fun tutorial on how to create a mummified fairy corpse using a twist on basic corpsing techniques (techniques that I shall soon cover in depth for your instruction and enjoyement).

The results, as you can see, are great, the tutorial is easy to follow, and it'll look terribly good in your wunderkammer!

go take a look HERE!

Got my DVD!

I finally received and watched Christian Hanson's DVD "Make your own Scratch Built Corpse"!

I have to say that I can't wait to get started on my own corpse head.

His methods are simple, inexpensive, and terribly detailed. Everything is clear and precise, you don't need much artistic talent to pull it off, and the materials are very easy to find.

I'm especially impressed by the way he makes teeth for his corpses. Terribly simple, but so realistic! I think the DVD is worth it's price just for this simple trick.

I'm not fond of the not-so-subtle acting and comedy skits between the different chapters, but it's nonetheless a very usefull and high quality product.

Great for movie makers on a budget and home haunters!

Oh, and Hanson sure is handsome with his rockin' friendly mutton chops.

Making your own scratch built corpse

From Christian Hanson, a talented sculptor and FX artist comes a DVD filled with the holy grail of halloween decoration and propmaking; Detailed instructions on how to build a gruesome, realistic, full-size corpse from scratch. I haven't seen the DVD yet so I can't give a full review, but I've seen the corpse heads made by some of his customers and I'm in awe. They look awesome, they are cheap to make, and they don't require expensive plastic skeletons or liquid latex to create.

I just ordered my copy from the Monster Closet and I can't wait to try it out!

Gotta love corpses.

Bodies - The Exhibition

Quebec City has the chance this summer to welcome a most interesting and unusual exhibition. Bodies, The Exhibition, is organized by Atlanta-based Premier Exhibitions Inc. and features a large number of plastinated, dry and wet preserved human specimens.

As with the famous exhibition Body Worlds by Gunther Von Hagens, Bodies presents the human body as the beautiful and complex machine it is by installing various full bodies and body parts in artistic poses revealing how the body works.

It is as intriguing and strange as it is beautiful, and I had the chance to go take a peek yesterday.

The skeletal, mucular, nervous and vascular systems are all covered, as are sexuality and pregnancy, various diseases, and how medicine can heal, repair and modify the body.

The room presenting the circulatory system is alone worth the visit. On a few models, only the veins and arteries are preserved, and colored a bright red. The room itself is plunged in darkness and these specimens are brightly underlit, giving them the appearance of glowing lace. Absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing.

If such an exhibit takes place near your town, do yourself a favor and go see it, it is well worth the price. Watching pictures on the net or seeing wax or plastic models can't be compared to seeing the real thing!



Bodies - official page