copy of Skin Illustrator On set Harder Fall

The Skin Illustrator 28 Late palette is an alcohol-activated makeup collection created by Flora Moody for the film 28 Years Later. It includes 10 colours — among them two new ones, Dr Kelson Yellow and Infected — formulated to be applied directly onto skin, silicone and latex with professional special effects finishes.

Technical specifications

What it is used for

This palette is designed for special effects makeup artists, character makeup artists and SFX artists who need specific colours for wound effects, corpses, infections and extreme skin tones. The 10 shades range from neutral bases to highly saturated, dramatically expressive colours.

• Zombie, infected and realistic-looking wound characterisation
• Painting on silicone and latex prosthetics (masks, character makeup pieces)
• Body and facial special effects makeup in film and television productions
• Creating custom shades by mixing colours from the palette together or with other Skin Illustrator palettes
• Character makeup work in theatre, music videos and art photography
• Touch-up and toning of already-painted prosthetics on set

How to use it

1. Make sure the surface (skin, silicone or latex) is clean, dry and free of grease.
2. Activate the pigment by moistening a fine brush, flat brush or mascara wand with Skin Illustrator Activator, Skin Illustrator Slow Activator or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Do not use water, 70% alcohol, acetone or MEK.
3. Lightly touch the surface of the colour with the activated brush and apply in thin layers. It is better to build intensity layer by layer than to apply too much at once.
4. Mix colours directly on the palette or on the surface to achieve intermediate shades. The activator also acts as a thinner for transparent effects.
5. Allow to dry briefly between layers. Drying is fast thanks to alcohol evaporation.
6. Once dry, the makeup is resistant to touch. If you need greater hold or are working in sweaty conditions, apply a suitable setting spray for alcohol-activated makeup.
7. To remove the product, use the activator itself or an alcohol makeup remover on the area to be cleaned.

Usage tips

Working speed: standard activator vs. slow

The Skin Illustrator Activator evaporates quickly, making it ideal for thin layers and precise finishes. The Slow Activator extends the open time and makes blending easier over large areas or when you need to mix shades directly on the skin. On set in high heat, the slow activator is the most comfortable option.

Working on silicone prosthetics

Before painting on silicone, make sure the piece is fully cured and free of Release agent residue. Alcohol-activated colours adhere well to intrinsically coloured or uncoloured silicone, but a contaminated surface can cause poor adhesion and colour flaking. Always apply in very thin layers and allow to dry thoroughly between them to avoid a film effect.

Colour mixing and cross-palette blending

The colours in the 28 Late palette are fully compatible and mixable with the rest of the Skin Illustrator range. Olive Adjuster is especially useful for neutralising reds or adding believability to sickly skin tones, while Black and Dark Moss are great for modelling shadows and adding depth to wounds and necrosis effects. Dr Kelson Yellow and Infected are formulated for infection character work with unconventional shades not found in standard palettes.

Frequently asked questions