To get the grungy effect of accumulated dirt and grime the box received a rubdown with "schmutz". The base for that is furniture paste wax and some shavings from a brown and burnst sienna crayon melted together in a double boiler. You then abrade some fine powder from earth-toned chalk pastels with fine grit sandpaper, add it to the liquid wax for a little color variation and texture, and stir well before decanting into an old Altoids tin and letting it harden. Apply it with a rag to anything in need of some age and you get a wonderful accumulation of grime in all the crevices.
If you like it, the idol is currently available on Ebay.
Looks really great! A very different take on the Cthulhu Idol!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. The container takes it from "cool" to "creepy." Love that air of authenticity.
ReplyDeleteThe finish is beautiful. I will absolutely have to try that!
This is one of my favourite idols of all time, I'd definately buy it if you shipped outside of America.
ReplyDelete@ Jason McKittrick
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words. Considering the quality of your own work that's a high compliment.
@ Naamah
I wish I could take credit for coming up with "schmutz", but it's one of the aging techniques used by old school gaff makers.
@ TheRedneckScientist
Thank you for the kind words. Unfortunately, I've had terrible experiences sending packaged props across the pond. I've very, very rarely had a problem sending small items like the patches and pins, but almost every time I post something larger there's some kind of damage in transit.
Thanks for the tip on the crayon/paste wax/pastel trick. I would love to see a tutorial on that. Sounds like a really handy substance.
ReplyDeleteI have the Cthulhu Idol from "Carved Metal" I want to put together the same kind of display you have for your fetish idol. Where did you obtain the box? Was it hand made or was it a found item that you altered? Any information would be helpful.
ReplyDelete