Halloween brings forth the need for lots of fake blood for use on props and Scare-Actors. Depending upon the application I've used many methods some of which are permanent while others wash away. So, unless you have a stash of the real thing you are going to need some ideas.
Recipe for Homemade Blood...
No Cook Blood
1/4 cup of water
2 cups of clear corn syrup
1/4 cup of corn starch (may use flour as a substitute)
1/2 oz. red food coloring
10 drops of blue food coloring
With this recipe I found it best to first mix the water with the corn starch, adding a bit a time until you have a white paste. As you work it all together slowly any small lumps ought to disappear. Once lump free you can then add the corn syrup into the mixture and stir thoroughly. It's now time to carefully add in all of your red food coloring and stir. Now add in your blue to darken the blood and richen up that colour. Depending upon the purity of dyes in your brand of food coloring you may need more or less so judge accordingly and experiment. Remember this fake blood will stain most everything it touches, sometimes permanently other times not. It also does not have a long shelf life so do not prepare too far in advance and store in the fridge. I would recommend using this type of fake blood on Scare-Actors who have no sugar allergies. Because it is water and sugar based clean up is easy, except for the dye factor!
Fact: Old black and white horror films used chocolate syrup as a base for theatrical blood!
- On static Halloween props I prefer the permanent approach. With clothing I use both red and blue food coloring by placing it directly onto fabric in specific areas. I then use acrylic paints to highlight and deepen those shades. Bright reds work best and use black to deepen and add some contrast.
Of course having someone make something for you is always easiest. Get some Stage Blood! here or click on any of the following pic's for product information.
