The Skin Illustrator On Set American Horror palette is a special edition of 10 colours created in collaboration with the head of the makeup department of American Horror Story, Eryn Krueger Mekash. Formulated as a high-coverage alcohol ink, it is compatible with natural skin, silicone prosthetics and latex, making it an essential tool for special effects makeup artists and professional character work.
Technical specifications
| Feature |
Detail |
| Product type |
Alcohol-activated makeup palette (alcohol-activated) |
| Number of colours |
10 |
| Exclusive colours |
Coven and Assylum (developed specifically for AHS) |
| Version |
On Set Signature (compact format) |
| Surface compatibility |
Skin, silicone, latex |
| Recommended activator |
isopropyl alcohol 99% (IPA), Skin Illustrator Activator or Slow Activator |
| Removal |
Telesis Super Solv or equivalent |
| Prohibited use |
70° alcohol, MEK, acetone, water |
What it is used for
This palette is designed to cover the full range of character makeup needs in high-end audiovisual productions, from beauty and ageing effects to extreme horror makeup. Its coverage, durability and adhesion on different surfaces make it particularly versatile in demanding on-set environments.
- Horror character makeup: zombies, witches, creatures
- Skin ageing and effects of illness or death
- Painting on silicone or latex prosthetics in film and television
- Extreme beauty makeup and dramatic transformations
- Wound, burn and blood effects on set
- Character work for theatre, artistic photography and live special effects
How to use it
- Make sure the surface (skin, silicone or latex) is clean, dry and free of grease.
- Dampen the brush with isopropyl alcohol 99%, Skin Illustrator Activator or Slow Activator. Never use 70° alcohol, MEK, acetone or water.
- Load the brush with the desired colour from the palette by touching the surface of the activated pigment.
- Apply in thin layers over the area to be made up. Drying between layers is very fast due to alcohol evaporation.
- Blend colours directly on the skin or on the palette to achieve intermediate shades.
- Once the makeup is complete, set if necessary with a fixing spray compatible with alcohol inks.
- For removal, use Telesis Super Solv or a suitable solvent for alcohol inks. Avoid dry rubbing to prevent damage to prosthetics or skin.
Usage tips
Saturation control
The amount of activator on the brush determines opacity. A drier brush gives dense, opaque coverage; more activator produces translucent glazes ideal for shading and colour transitions. Practise brush moisture control before applying to the final prosthetic.
Painting on silicone prosthetics
Alcohol inks adhere very well to silicone, but the surface must be completely free of release agent residue or oils. If the silicone was intrinsically coloured, use the palette to refine surface details: veins, capillaries, pigmentation spots or translucency effects. Work in thin layers to avoid losing the texture of the prosthetic.
On-set work
The compact On Set format is designed for set work: it fits in a character makeup kit, opens and closes quickly, and the colours are the essential ones tested in real production. Always have the activator and a clean spare brush to hand. If the colour dries in the palette between takes, simply reactivate it with a drop of IPA at 99%.
Frequently asked questions
What is used to activate alcohol inks?
The colours in the Skin Illustrator On Set American Horror palette are activated with isopropyl alcohol 99%, Skin Illustrator Activator or Slow Activator. Never use 70° alcohol, water, acetone or MEK: they alter the formulation and ruin adhesion.
Can it be used on real skin?
Yes. Skin Illustrator is specifically formulated for use on human skin. It provides high coverage and sweat resistance during filming. For removal, use a suitable solvent for alcohol inks and do not rub dry.
Does it work on intrinsically coloured silicone prosthetics?
Yes. Alcohol inks adhere correctly to silicone, even if it already has an intrinsic colour. They are commonly used to add surface details (veins, spots, redness) to already-applied prosthetics. The surface must be clean and grease-free.
Can it be mixed with other Skin Illustrator palettes?
Yes, all colours in the Skin Illustrator range are compatible with each other. You can combine the shades in this palette with those from the Flesh Tone Palette, the Complexion Palette or the FX Palette to expand the range of effects.
How long does the makeup last once applied?
The adhesion and durability of Skin Illustrator is very high on skin, silicone and latex. It withstands long shooting days, moderate sweat and handling. For greater durability in action scenes or extreme heat, you can seal with a fixing spray compatible with alcohol inks.
How is it removed without damaging the prosthetic?
Correct removal is carried out with Telesis Super Solv or another suitable solvent for alcohol inks. Apply the solvent with a cotton pad or brush, allow it to act for a few seconds and remove gently without rubbing. Avoid acetone on silicone prosthetics.
What is the difference between the On Set version and the full-size palette?
The On Set version is a compact edition designed for direct on-set work. It contains the 10 colours selected by the American Horror Story makeup team, including the two exclusive colours Coven and Assylum. The format is more manageable for transport and quick use on set.
Is it suitable for latex as well?
Yes. Skin Illustrator is compatible with latex surfaces, in addition to skin and silicone. This is one of its main advantages: a single product can be used for character work directly on skin and for painting the different types of prosthetics used in special effects.
