Old Age Stipple Guide

Creating an old age stipple effect with Green Marble sealer & ATTAGEL

Creating an old age stipple using green marble sealer (or "green marble concentrate") and ATTAGEL is a common technique in SFX makeup to simulate aged or wrinkled skin, especially for film or stage. We've put together a quick step-by-step guide that explains how to do so effectively below:

Materials Needed:

•    Green Marble SeLr (PPI’s Green Marble Sealer or Concentrate)
•    ATTAGEL (alcohol-activated stipple gel – often from PPI or similar suppliers)
•    99% Isopropyl Alcohol (for thinning and blending)
•    Stipple sponge or chip brush
•    Hair dryer or heat gun
•    Translucent powder (optional)
•    Makeup for aging details (e.g. Skin Illustrator palette)
 

Find other Old Age SFX makeup products here

Application Steps:

1. Skin Preparation

• Clean & degrease the actor's skin with alcohol or a gentle cleanser
• Make sure the skin is dry and oil-free

2. Apply Green Marble Layer

• Lightly spray or brush Green Marble SeLr over the area where you want the stippling (typically around the eyes, forehead, cheeks, neck and hands)
• Allow to dry completely. This will create a base that gives the stipple extra durability and helps the ATTAGEL adhere better.

TIP: Do a patch test on sensitive skin. Green Marble is alcohol based and may sting slightly

3. Apply ATTAGEL

• Pour a small amount of ATTAGEL onto a palette
• Use a stipple sponge or chip brush to apply a thin layer onto the desired area
• Fore a fine aged texture, stretch the skin while stippling
• Allow to air dry (or use a cool hairdryer to speed up the drying)
• Once dry, release the skin - this will create the wrinkled, aged appearance

TIP: The tighter you stretch the skin, the more dramatic wrinkles you'll achieve

4. Build Texture (Optional)

• You can apply additional thing layers of ATTAGEL in the same way to enhance depth and realism
• Allow each layer to completely dry before applying the next layer

5. Set the texture

• Lightly powder the area if needed (especially if you plan to paint over it)
• The powder removes tackiness and helps with blending

6. Paint & Finish

• Use alcohol-activated palettes (such as Skin Illustrator palettes) to add realistic age tones, e.g: liver spots, veins, yellows, purples, reds etc
• Blend carefully into the surrounding skin
• Optionally, seal with Green Marble spray again for durability on long shoots

Stipple Removal

• Gently rub the stippled area with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton pad or sponge.
• Clear the skin with a gentle cleanser and moisturise after

Extra tips

• Avoid applying to thickly. Thin, even layers look more realistic and are more comfortable for the actor
• Use reference images of aged skin for realism
• Using a Green Marble underlayer adds longevity and reduces lifting during shoots or under hot lights
• ATTAGEL can also be pre-mixed with small amounts of pigment for colour-adjusted stippling