BUBO-MAKING 103: PAINTING THE BUBO
BEFORE YOU COLOR YOUR BUBO:
Before you color your latex bubo, you may need to cut around the lip of the prosthetic. In the mold, it may have formed a little ledge. You can easily cut this off with very sharp scissors or a razor blade. The edge of the bubo should lie flush with the skin when placed on the neck.
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STEP 1: DECIDE HOW TO PAINT
Now it is time to color you bubo. You can color bubo in one of two ways:
1. With make-up
2. With acrylic paint (or craft latex)
The advantage of using make-up is that the make-up is what you would be using in the demonstration anyway. The downside is that it takes longer--much longer to dry.
Acrylic paint may peal off if handled too much, but is easier to apply and it dries faster.
STEP 2: ADD THE RED
The first color is add is red. When the symptoms of the black death first appeared, it was in the form of a rash. When you add red, place the majority of the paint along the lip and then
brush upward. The paint near the top will be uneven.
STEP 3: ADD THE PURPLE
Just like with a bruise, blood vessels break under the skin, giving it a purplish hue. If your purple is too light, add some black to darken it a little.
STEP 4: ADD THE BLACK
This is what gives the disease its name. The "black" in the Black Death was nothing more than congealed blood under the skin. It was very dark in color, given it the unique name.
STEP 5: LET IT DRY
If you used make-up to color your bubo, it will take longer to dry. Be aware that with the make-up, residual coloring will come off for some time. So make sure to check your hands after touching the bubo. You don't want to get make-up on clothes or upholstery.
The best way to store a bubo is in a self locking plastic bag. Place some cotton balls inside the bubo so that it retains the shape.
You are done! Enjoy. Follow the directions in "Bring Out Your Dead!" Recreating the Black Death in the Classroom for instructions and ideas on how to use your bubo in class.
