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Issue #25 October, 2004 Here is the text of an article that I wrote for that sassy, fetish, fashion, art, magazine "Secret" .. Liquid Latex How To:
For many fans of
latex, the thought of painting on a sexy second skin is nothing
more than a fantasy. In the past, the process has been
difficult, with multiple coats, and extended drying times.
Mastering the technique has been a deterrent for many who want to
work with this fantastic medium. I present here a simple
"Liquid Latex How To" in an effort to relive the
worry of working with this great product.
Latex is a natural
substance "Tapped" from the trunk of the Hevea
Brazilians tree. To this, ammonia is added as a preservative
when it is shipped from the plantation. It is this ammonia
that accounts for the unpleasant smell associated with Liquid
Latex. As a matter of fact it is this aroma that tells us
that we are working with a quality product, as some of the
lesser manufactures water down the latex to improve profit.
A watered down product is not only a poor value in terms of
economics, but also drying time, as it takes more coats
to build up a substantial layer. It is for these
reasons that I recommend a premium product when decorating a
model with latex, she will appreciate the quicker drying
time, and you can devote more time to capturing the image.
The first step to a
successful application is to check with the model for allergies to
latex, the model will usually know if she has had a problem
with latex items in the past. If the model has a latex
allergy she should not use the product. When in doubt, it is
recommended that a small test patch be applied to the inner arm
and observed for a period of time, if an irritation
develops, the product should not be used.
The recommended
work space for working with latex, is a smooth floor or over a
tarp. Latex will stick to, and ruin carpeting and fabric that
it comes in contact with, but will simply peal off any
smooth surface such as a linoleum floor or skin.
If any hair is
present on the body it should be removed, as Liquid Latex forms a
tenacious bond to any surface that is not smooth, be it hair, fabric
or carpeting. I recommend shaving a few hours before
the application as not to irritate freshly shaven skin. If
there are fine hairs on the model, such as might be found around
the nape of the neck, often a coat of body lotion will act as an
aid to removal. For models with sensitive skin, I will
slather them all over with lotion to ease removal, its not a
requirement, but it is fun !
Once the model has
been prepared the "painting" can begin. I
recommend inexpensive disposable foam paint brushes, as there is
no practical way to clean them at the end of the project.
Great results can be accomplished with simple kitchen sponges cut
or torn into shape, and used like a rubber stamp on the body,
a great way to create Leopard spots!! Lets not forget the
most expressive tool of all, the human hand. Nothing
is as satisfying as finger painting.
When working with
Liquid latex it is important to work quickly, and smoothly,
overworking the product will cause it to become streaked and loose
the smooth glossy finish we are going for. Additional
coats can be applied after the previous one has dried to the
touch, but when working with an extra thick
"premium" product it is often unnecessary.
Drying time will
depend on ambient temperature, air circulation, and humidity.
As the latex begins to cure the ammonia smell will dissipate and
it will change color, darkening and loosing the pastel quality.
Another exciting element of working with latex, it shrinks
around 1% as it cures so it is actually tighter than "skin
tight"
The last step to
the process is to polish the cured latex with a high quality latex
polish, or if a slicker look is required, I recommend a
silicone based personal lubricant. A silicone lubricant will
allow more comfort to the wearer, as well as prevent the
latex from sticking to itself in areas where it comes in contact
with itself such as the thighs.
Removal of the
product is easy, and becomes easier the longer it is worn, as the
skin is constantly perspiring and shedding cells.
Simply grab an edge of the latex, and begin peeling.
Liquid Latex is a
medium that warrants further exploration, and I hope this simple
"how to" will inspire you to indulge a sticky, slick
fantasy.
Scott Bonelli is President of
Big Head Studio, a manufacturer of Custom "toys" and
Premium Liquid Latex. Liquid Latex can be ordered online at www.BigHeadStudio.com
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________________________________________________________________ the fine photographs that accompany the article were created by my friend Steven Speliotis. The fine model is Violet.. I would like to thank them both for their generous help with this project If you would like to see more of Violet , or book her for a shoot, you can check out her OMP profile, ( model #60897) or http://www.onemodelplace.com/model_list.cfm?ID=60897. If you would like to see more of Steven's fantastic work, check out his website.. http://www.speliotis.com/ click here to see more photos from the shoot..
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