It sounds bad right? Well, it’s not what you think. Since joining Arcangel images (see link at the top), I was fascinated by the talent and pure creativity I saw from other contributors. Many of them create horror or mystery covers and are amazing at it and it inspired me to try some more edgy work of my own.
So, I mixed up a batch of fake blood, honey (recipe calls for corn syrup, but I don’t have any), red and green food coloring and a couple of drops of water did the trick. (For blood that had set and started to oxidize, add a little cocoa powder to give it the thickness and iron color it needs.) That done, my head was filled with the craziest scenarios and ideas, but when it actually came the time to pull them through, well, let’s say, it wasn’t really good. It was sticky, sloppy, messy and not that fun! I must admit I’m totally not the gore type. Even though I tried really hard. All I could think of were pretty teacups or any other pretty items served with a side of blood. Hatchets, saw blades or missing limbs, not for me. I’m more of the suggestive creative, not the detailed, in your face type. It was a good exercise though, allowing me to think outside the box a little and mostly to find my own limits. They came quite fast.
At the dinner table, when my boys asked what I had done with the blood, and when I recounted my attempts, they both laughed at me and told me: “Mom, I think you don’t get it, blood doesn’t need to look cute!” “You should let me stage the photos.” Hmmm, I don’t think so.
My boys know me too well. I might have some keepers from that day, but they do look rather nice, which wasn’t my objective, but it was all I could come up with.
So, it ends up with stick with what you do best, that’s where success lies. Don’t try to create like someone you’re not and if you play with fake blood, keep in mind you’ll have to clean up afterwards 🙂
This post is part of a blog circle, please visit my dear friend Abby’s blog…
Isabelle, You inspire me every single time I come to your blog. You did such a great job with your fake blood. Thank you for not making these too gruesome. 😉 This post reminds me of a makeup class I took. The teacher had worked on a horror film, and put a fake, cut up dead cadaver, with appropriate amounts of blood and drove to it to the movie set in her convertible. A trucker saw her and called the police. It’s amazing how realistic art can be at times. 😉 Well done, and thanks for the interesting and thought provoking work today.
I’m with Abby…glad you didn’t make them too gruesome! It’s great to try something different but I suppose you can only be “you” and the real you always shows through. These are great…the blood really does look real!!
Its so inspiring that you went out of your comfort zone and tried something different – your blood is amazing. I love the images – especially the apple – it would make a perfect book cover.