Video Tag
Every video tagged “WED clay” in the library — a focused slice of the Halloween archive.
18 videos
In this extended Monster Lab episode, Distortions Unlimited founder Ed Edmunds walks viewers through the complete process of creating a latex gremlin character from scratch. The tutorial covers three major stages: sculpting the creature in clay, constructing a two-piece plaster mold, and painting the finished latex pull for a professional SFX result. Running at nearly an hour, the video provides a thorough, professional-level breakdown of techniques used in the Halloween manufacturing industry. It serves as a valuable reference for anyone looking to move beyond basic prop-making into full creature fabrication.
In this episode of Monster Lab, Distortions Unlimited founder Ed Edmunds makes the case for WED clay as his preferred medium for sculpting monster masks and large Halloween props. Originally developed for Disney animatronics, WED clay is a water-based, air-dry material prized for its smooth, pliable working properties and slower drying time — qualities Ed demonstrates hands-on with a monster mask sculpt. He also honestly addresses when oil-based clays may be the better choice, such as for SFX appliances or small figurines. The episode is part of a long-running tutorial series aimed at bringing professional prop-house knowledge to DIY builders.
In Monster Lab Episode 25, industry veteran Ed Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited walks viewers through the full sculpting process for latex monster hand gloves using WED clay and assorted sculpting tools. The gloves can be adapted to a wide range of creature types, including zombies, werewolves, aliens, and beyond, making the technique highly versatile. This episode is the first in a multi-part arc, with follow-up episodes covering molding and painting. At nearly 100 minutes, the tutorial offers an in-depth, professional-grade look at creature hand construction.
Industry veteran Ed Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited walks viewers through sculpting a custom-fit zombie mask from clay as part of the Monster Lab instructional series. The tutorial covers building an armature, working with clay, and applying sculpting techniques to create a form-fitting, moveable latex mask. The video is part of a multi-part series that will continue with mold-making, painting, and full costume assembly. The techniques taught are transferable beyond zombies and can be applied to sculpting virtually any character.
This short behind-the-scenes clip from Distortions Unlimited offers a rare look at the professional prop-making process as sculptor Tom Cassidy completes the head sculpt for a giant werewolf animatronic. Company owners Ed and Marsha Edmunds evaluate the piece alongside mold makers, focusing on whether the detailed teeth could create complications during molding and casting. The finished prop was slated to debut at the Transworld Halloween and Attractions show. WED clay — a water-based, slow-drying medium originally developed for Disney animatronic work — is highlighted as the sculpting material of choice.
Industry veteran Ed Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited walks viewers through the complete process of creating a latex bloody eyeball prop from scratch. The tutorial covers every foundational stage — clay sculpting, plaster mold making, latex pouring, and painting — making it an ideal entry point for aspiring prop and mask makers. This is a re-edited repost from Distortions' Monster Lab instructional series, designed to be approachable and manageable for beginners.
This behind-the-scenes video takes viewers inside Distortions Unlimited's professional monster-making studio as sculptors Tom Cassidy and Jordu Schell work on three new 2025 Halloween props: the Wolf Spider, Goblin, and Demon Legend. Company founders Ed and Marsha review the sculptures in progress and discuss the design direction for each piece. Jordu shares insight into WED clay, the material of choice for these prop sculptures, including his personal history with it. It's a rare look at how a major Halloween prop company brings original creatures from concept to physical form.
Distortions Unlimited founder Ed Edmunds demonstrates how to sculpt a Wolfman mask from WED clay, offering a look into professional-level creature mask creation. The tutorial is drawn from the channel's Mask Maker kit series, which covers sculpting, painting, and mold-making for a range of creature designs. Viewers get hands-on insight into the shaping and detailing techniques used to bring a classic monster to life in clay.
This quick tip video from Stiltbeast Studios covers how to keep a water-based or WED clay sculpture from drying out between work sessions. The method involves lightly wetting the sculpt, draping it with a damp towel or paper towel, and sealing the whole piece in a plastic bag to exclude air. At just three minutes, it delivers a focused, practical technique that any prop or mask maker can immediately apply.
StiltbeastStudios walks through the process of sculpting realistic teeth using WED clay, focusing on the essential stages of blocking out the basic forms before moving into refinement. The footage is drawn from a live session and edited down to highlight the core technique. While not a complete step-by-step of a full set of teeth, it gives a clear look at the sculptor's workflow and decision-making process.
This extended cut from StiltbeastStudios presents a gorilla mask sculpt played at 4x speed rather than the faster 8x version previously released, giving viewers a more detailed look at the full sculpting process. The slower playback makes it easier to observe specific tool choices and technique nuances throughout the build. It serves as a companion piece to the original upload for those who want a deeper study of the workflow.
Stiltbeast Studios experiments with an unconventional approach to WED clay by whipping it to incorporate air, inspired by the concept behind aircrete. The resulting material takes on a foam-like consistency that makes previously difficult organic and rough textures significantly easier to sculpt. The creator shares the discovery openly, inviting viewers to explore what else the technique might produce.
Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios walks through the final detail sculpting phase of a cyclops latex mask using WED clay. With the primary forms already established, the focus shifts to refining and reworking key features — particularly the teeth and ears — to bring the piece to mold-ready quality. The video offers an up-close look at the critical finishing decisions that separate a rough sculpture from a production-ready mask.
Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios shares a time-lapse speed sculpt of a jaguar-themed Aztec mask built in WED clay. The video captures the foundational sculpting session, showing how the core forms and features are roughed in before final detail work. It offers a compelling look at the early structural decisions that define a mask's character and personality.
Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios demonstrates a specialty sculpting tool he calls a forming plank, showing how it transforms tool marks into convincing wrinkles on a WED clay sculpt. The tool is described as deceptively simple yet highly versatile, appearing at nearly every stage of the sculpting process. Stiltbeast Studios produces and sells these forming planks through their own online shop.
StiltbeastStudios demos the Scale-a-tor, a proprietary forming plank tool designed to rapidly apply consistent scale or feather textures across large sculpting projects. The tool is shown in the context of creature builds like mermaid tails and dragons, where covering expansive surface areas with repetitive texture is otherwise tedious. The creator sells these tools through their online shop and is exploring variety packs with multiple sizes and shapes.
Stiltbeast Studios' Allen Hopps gives a quick hands-on demonstration of a scraper rake tool designed to complement forming planks during clay sculpting. The tool is shown smoothing and refining the foundational surface of a sculpt, helping artists work more efficiently. Hopps manufactures and sells these rakes through the Stiltbeast Studios online shop.
Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios demonstrates the edge former plank, a specialized sculpting tool designed to refine curved surfaces and produce clean, crisp angles in WED clay. The short demo highlights how this single tool can elevate the precision and quality of mask and prop sculpts. It serves as a quick but practical introduction to a purpose-built addition to any sculptor's toolkit.
