Practice Makes Perfect...

 

A Proportional Response - Part III - Video Review

When preparing for the video, I decided to use a different mask - just to see how a larger bib would lay on the torso. 

Remember - my GOAL here is to properly adjust the head-body ratio when wearing a mask.

The "Double Nip" issue does occur when a wider sculpted bib is shorter than the chest area of the torso. For the Metamorphose "Clark", there was a bit of overlap, but it can be somewhat circumvented if you wear a patterned shirt, pullover, etc. I am going to test if a bandaid with some additional silicone prosthetic adhesive will work to cover one set of nips and allow a wider range of clothing.

Speaking of clothing ... if you decide to wear a buttoned shirt, make sure the sleeves are wide enough to cover your (newly larger) biceps and triceps. Slip one arm in normally halfway - pointing downwards - and then point your other arm upwards and pull the sleeve halfway onto the other arm. You can then adjust the sleeves and body of the shirt as needed.

The polo shirt I used on the initial try-on was a bear to get on as the shoulder area was twisted and the additional friction caused by the larger arm/shoulder size overall and the silicone itself; another test here will be using some talcum powder to help get the shirt on.

So here's the video - enjoy! And as I said, any questions, please ask!

A Proportional Response - Part II - With Mask

What it looks like

As a homage to all those Smitizen photos and videos with the upper torso and the black pullover hood, I wanted to show off the torso being worn. As I had hoped, it definitely does create a better proportioned silhouette.

With a Mask

I tried the half-torso with a mask. The purpose of this (other than looking - in the immortal words of Billy Crystal/Fernando - "mah-velous") was:

• Does wearing a mask with a sculpted bib create a "double nip" effect? - that is, does the torso's nips and the mask's nips both show up under clothes?
• Can a mask with a sculpted bib be safely and comfortably be worn UNDER the torso?
  

For the first hypothesis, I used one of my Studio135 "Chiseled" masks. These masks have the narrowest sculpted bib and should prove whether the "double-nip" effect would show up. And the answer was...

NO. (But...)

Using a Metamorphose "Clark" mask, there was a slight "double-nip" effect because while the bib on the mask is wider, it is shorter. I think this will depend on the mask you are wearing; and my recommendation here is if the effect does show up, wear something with a pattern to de-emphasize the problem.

For the second hypothesis, I again tried with a "Chiseled" mask. It was difficult to even stretch the neck wide enough to tuck in the mask, so I gave up; the width of the silicone in this area is thin, and I did not want to take the chance of tearing the neck. (More about this later...) With the first hypothesis disproved, however, this is sort of a moot point - Any mask with a sculpted bib can be worn OVER the mask without (much of a) problem. Masks with a short bib may work, but in my initial try-on with my "GQ" mask, the bib was still too thick to safely stretch the neck and tuck in. 

You may be able to put the mask on first and THEN put on the torso, but I don't know if taking this risk is worth it. You're going to need lube on the outside of the mask, and I'd rather not apply anything to the paintjob except water and very mild soap.

The Full Monty

My initial try-on with a polo shirt found that while I could get it on, it would be easier to get on one size larger. A larger polo shirt is on the way, but I was able to see how the proportions look with a button down casual shirt. 

Success!!

Critically looking at my head-to-shoulder ratio, the half torso definitely removes the "South Park" effect. 

Now ... a warning

When you are removing the torso, make sure that you stretch out the wrist openings and add a little more lube and rub it around. I managed to put my finger thru the forearm area as I was taking it off. 

I felt that it was a bit sticky, but I figured, "It's okay, I can slip out of it." 

NOT.

The neck and forearm areas are thin, so be careful. The tear is currently curing with silicone-1 and a 4-way powerstretch patch. When you are removing the torso, stretch the wrist open and add a bit of lube and rub all around. Also add some lube to the back of your hands.

A Proportional Response - Part I - First Thoughts

On more than one occasion, I've received comments on my videos or my pics about my head looking too big for my body (one of the nastier comments was "That looks like one massive head...almost like a South Park character.") But I never noticed anything truly off.

Until I looked at some of Seb Taylor's pics and watched his IG videos. There really was a tremendous difference when he wore a mask with (and without) a muscle suit beneath. I truly could see the difference that that added thickness made in restoring proportion to the overall illusion. I will admit though that my pics always did look a little better with a padded muscle shirt beneath.

 

So I decided to buy a muscle torso (with arms and without stomach) from Smitizen. This will be my second purchase from them (I had originally purchased a muscle torso with short sleeves and color matched to my Knuckles mask).

 Torso Specifics

• It weighs about 12lbs.
• Unlike the interior honeycomb design of the newer and larger enhanced torso and legs, this is a SOLID piece of silicone. 
• Because it is SOLID, there are no issues of actually seeing the honeycomb through the surface, as occurs on the legs/lower torso and to a lesser extent, on the upper torso.
  
• It is very easy to put on (but you need lube)
  
• The neck is quite long and very stretchy. But thin.
  
• The arm length is PERFECT. The length is just above the wrist-bone. The forearm area of the sleeves are thin. If you are familiar with CFX gloves, the thickness here is about a half of those items; this area - along with the neck area - is also slightly translucent because of the thinness of the material. Similarly thin silicone - like CreaFX masks - is not translucent.
  
• Forearm area is nice and tight and there is no wrinkling at the wrist; however, there is a little bit of wrinkling at the elbow when you bend the arm; I was specifically looking for the issue, but it's not too obvious.
• I did not go for the "careful crafting service" option where the flashing on the seams is reduced. I figure that if I go for a repaint, I'll have that done at the same time.
  

Remember, if you are trimming a silicone torso (or a mask's silicone bib)...

1. Always trim less than you think; you can always cut more, but not less.
2. Measure more than once and cut on a flat surface using a solid piece of wood (like a wooden yardstick, a piece of wide wooden molding or a piece of a 2x4) to press the silicone flat and hold it in place; use a utility knife or a single-edge razor blade with a brand-new blade. 

Application

As with any Smitizen product - upper or lower body - you are going to need LUBE. Not powder. I have never tried the alcohol process of lubrication, so if any readers have tried this, I would really appreciate some feedback (and perhaps a video link!). Make sure you use a water-based (not silicone-based) lube. I use Gun Oil H20 in a squeeze bottle.

• Apply the lube to the inside back of the torso. Be generous, but don't overdo it. Over-apply the first time you try it on - you can judge what you will actually need afterwards.
  
• Apply lube to your chest and shoulders. Don't overdo it - you want a consistent thin layer on your skin.
• Apply a LINE of lube down your arm - shoulder to wrist - and then rub it around so again you have a thin, consistent layer.
• Pull the torso over your head, and slip your arms in. Adjust the sleeves so the seams are straight. They should be on the inner and outer sides of your arm.
• Pull the torso down over your pecs - you're done!

Other Thoughts

I need to trim the neck down by about an inch. As far as masks go, I have to see how the various bibs lay on the torso (I want to avoid seeing two sets of nips). Of course, I think I'm going to need some larger pullovers/shirts as well...

Stay tuned for upcoming posts - trimming, video reviews and more!