Need Texture Help

[BadTable Manor]

I'm working on a 5-foot long, 1/2 scorpion, 1/2 human mutant-type of thing. Not loving the fact that the carapice looks very, well, paper-mache'-y. It's kind of dented in here and there. I'm toying with the idea of partially covering the carapice with a torn shirt, seeing he's kind of in a metamorphosis phase, but still, just not "feeling it", inspiration-wise.
Eventually, he'll have 8 human arms, a human head, and 2 giant pinchers.
Any suggestions?

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j310/chadthecabinboy/scorp.jpg

[Dr Morbius]

I know Dave the Dead has had some great success using pantyhose and oatmeal. Maybe not for prop building, but the hose does match his eyes! LOL!

Seriously, try giving it a coat of celuclay you can get it at michaels and it has a slight texture to it.

[HalloweenZombie]

To avoid the paper mache look, I use brown grocery bag paper. It's thicker, so it doesn't shrivel as much. I rip it into long strips and apply it by pulling the ends tight and not pressing the stip into the concaved parts of the previous layer. I also try not to water down my glue mixture too much. For the final coat, skip the paper, use plaster instead of flour and apply the mixture with a paint brush. This helps to smooth out the edges of the ripped paper, so it looks less like paper mache.

[jabberwocky]

I love to use this spraypaint when Im trying to give something a more uniform textured look.
It will give slight bumps on the surface, but most of all it hides all the seams and material junctions giving the parts a "one-piece" design.
I think the texture would be great for a bugs body.
Good luck.
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/6093/trnkpntmz1.png

[Ironman]

I understand that you already have the general shape you are looking for, so this may come too late for that, but there is a product called Fosshape that would be perfect for your application (I think). It is made by a company called Dazian that produces quite a few products used in the theater. Fosshape is a cloth (for lack of a better term) that has the consistency of heavy felt. It can be sewn, glued, and cut like any standard cloth material. However, once you have it to the general shape you want whether you use some sort of temporary form or by simply holding it in that shape by hand, you heat it with a heat gun at it will hold that pose. It does not become super rigid as say monster mud, but more like a stiff free standing figure except it is made out of this cloth like material. Once it is set with heat it can even be crumpled and wadded up, and when you release it, the cloth will return to the formed shape when it was heated. In other words, it has memory. This is VERY helpful for creating flexible forms for animatronic bodies. I didn't know if you plan on bringing your mutant to life, but this could be a great way to do it. The texture remains sort of fuzzy like felt, but it can be painted any way you want and it does not affect the memory of the material. If you want to learn more about this great stuff, go to: http://www.dazian.com/html/fosshape.html
Oh yeah, we've used this on props for several years, and many of them have spent their entire lives outdoors. So it is extremely weather proof.

[heresjohnny]

I used paint spackling on several props (the tombstone, the gatekeeper, etc) and it works great at hiding the little imperfections that make it look like paper mache. I smooth it on with my finger, it dries quickly, and with a light sanding will blend right in. One example is at this link (http://johnnyspage.com/StretchSkullHowto.htm). Fast and simple and cheap.

[BadTable Manor]

I knew I could count on you guys for some most excellent ideas. I love them all, now to decide which ones to use.
Thanks a million!

[HalloweenZombie]

You could also use Great Stuff. Spray some on and keep patting it down. This keeps it from expanding. It makes great texture.

[BadTable Manor]

I think the SpatterPaint that jabberwocky suggested would do the trick. I was looking for something with a bumpy texture, yet not too heavy, as his body is hollow (don't want it to cave in on itself), and cheap. So this weekend I'm gonna give it a whirl. Thanks again letting me pic all your brains.
I'll post some pics of it later, too.
"Oh frabjous day, callou callay!"