Details about Puppet Design and Construction

I realized today that I needed to have more explanation on how I am going to make my puppet, as he is one of the most important parts of my senior thesis. But to really see where I am going with his construction, I need to explain briefly how I made my previous puppet. Lots of information, ahoy!

My trashy interpretation of Snow White was my first puppet.

My first puppet "Snow" definitely taught me what I like and don't like in puppet construction. Her armature is the standard version from Animation Supplies and her body is made with cotton and covered with panty hose. Her head, neck, chest plate and hands are all hard, inflexible materials (plaster, two-epoxy, sculpey, and resin). The all of her clothing with the exception of her boots were either sewn and drafted by me or were modified doll clothing. She has one fixed expression on her face with unmovable eyes and interchangeable eyelids for blinks.

Armature kit assembled! Now with flexible hands!

My new character Frank will be similarly made but much more complex. His armature is the same type of armature as Snow's but he has the Professional version which is lighter weight and has smaller joints (something that I previously struggled with). He also features wire hands I made so that his fingers have a range of motion. These will be built up with polyurethane foam and coated in many layers of liquid latex. His body will be made the same way with a hand-sculpted layer of urethane foam with the forearms and neck covered in liquid latex. I think this sort of body will be fine since he will be wearing clothing. The head will feature a hinged jawed and rotating eyebrows to help convey expression. I have not yet decided whether to make a cast silicone head or to continue with the latex and foam method used on the rest of the body. Because I will have to have at least two heads (one in drag makeup and one without) I would prefer the cast silicone, but due to its intensive casting process it might be too difficult. I am stilling weighing the pros and cons and will reach a decision soon.

For instruction on the latex buildup method, I refer to these two videos:

Hopefully this answers some questions about my process.