So i'm working on my Mexican wrestler puppet and realized something.  My original plan was to give  him a little belly.  More I worked on him he is turning into a different style of mexican wrestler.  I used to watch Lucha libra wrestling as a kid. even though I didn't speak Spanish.  I was a big fan of the masks and the high flying style.  With out realizing it I kind of channeled  a psychosis looking puppet. Pick here of hime wearing his mask. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2-7AdSkZA7I/RdRrQcahItI/AAAAAAAAAjA/WGoNT_ZhTYo/s400/05.jpg
My issue is i've never made a puppet with a built body before.  I wand to give him the six pack abbs. Or something along those lines.  I've been trying to do it and it's just not looking right.  So I was curious if anyone has done this and has any example picks of a fit foam body.

If your going to cover it in fleece, you can just add extra foam pieces on a regular body and razor blade cut out the muscle definition. If your not using fleece you can either sandpaper smooth the muscles or cut the muscle and then cover with latex . The latex on foam method: As the latex solidifies you can gently round all sharp edges by hand. This technique will need a few parctice pieces, just so you know how to time yourself with the setting latex. It will make the piece heavier depending on how mush latex you use.

I agree with Sonny.................. Just build your puppet as you normally would. Then build up the six pack features by gluing pieces to the front of the body after they have been sculpted. You can use scissors,single edge razor or dremel tool to shape the pieces before attaching them to the front of the body. Finish off as desired firmness..........I have attached a picture.

Billy D.

I was peaty much doing all the stuff mentioned above.  My issue is it just didn't look right.  The pick billy showed actually solved the problem though.  The ab shape I was using was just wrong.  Thanks for that.  I wish I was a better artist. I feel because of this i'll never get to a Sonny or Jay level of creativity for my puppets. I would like to some day though.   I may take a basic art class of some kind.  I hate having a puppet idea and not able to get my idea on paper like I want. I just don't like going to class rooms.

You are doing fine.............. so we get stumped some times it happens to the best of builders. You will be the best that you can be and that is good enough. With your determination you will get there.

Billy D.

Hey guys ,
i have made a few puppets that have been really muscular in the past, one in particular had to be a body builder and therefore had to have lots of muscles that could be seen well even from the back of an auditorium (unfortunately i don't have any pix of him tho) what i did was to create the basic shape of the body out of foam, then add square(ish) pieces of foam on, which i would carve to look like the muscles, but id really over exaggerate them to help with the next step. i always cover my puppets in fleece because i believe it prolongs their life and gives a bit more of a professional finish, so when i am attaching the fleece i spray glue the general muscles leaving a little outline to the muscles untouched and then when i am laying the fabric on, i put hot glue on the creases between the muscles and really work the fleece into the hot glue with a blunt tool so that it really fixes the muscles into being really defined and makes them stand out, this is why i exaggerate the muscles to start with so that if they are squashed slightly, they still are defined and stand out, then (if you are into this sort of detail) i get my airbrushing tool and spray a little shading on the creases to make the muscles really stand out and look good.
i really hope that some of that was a little helpful, i know it can be disconcerning at times, but I'm sure you are better at this than you think, it never looks that same to you than it does to others, i used to think that my puppets where not very good, but others would really encourage me with their kind words!!
there is nothing wrong with being a perfectionist!! happy building,
Ben.

oh yeah this may be the first puppet to airbrush. Since it's something minor and simple it would be a good place to start.   Anyone recommend a good airbrush tool.  Looking for a good quality one.  Just not overly expensive.

If you are looking for an airbrushing tool, then look into 'aztec' as a brand, they are absolutely great and not too expensive either, mine came in a neat little wooden box with all i needed plus extra bits and bobs, but you might want to look into the price of an air compressor before you make up your mind, because although you can buy cans of compressed air to use your airbrush with, they tend to freeze up after using them for a little while and so an air compressor is the answer, unfortunately air compressors are the expensive bit, but well worth the money and will 'out' last the tool itself!!
hope this helps!
Ben.

I'm not sure what type question I want to ask here.................. .................. I have a beginners air brush kit and was looking at compressors but was not sure what to buy. What is the minimum or maximum air pressure required from a compressor to airbrush with ? What are the most economical air brush paints for some one starting out ? Can you buy the primary colors and mix with a color wheel or is it better to buy the paint colors separately ?
Did not mean to high jack your thread Gav................. thought these might be interesting points to bring up!

Billy D.

No I'm glad you asked I also would like to know the answers to these questions.