Restorative Art, Presentation and Cosmetics
What you are trying to achieve
A peaceful, natural appearance as the family will see it, in the lighting of the viewing room. That means correct proportion first, then subtle colour.
Proportions worth memorising
The face divides into thirds: hairline to brow, brow to the base of the nose, nose base to the chin. The eyes are about one eye-width apart, and nasal width roughly matches the intercanthal distance. The mouth is about as wide as the distance between the pupils. The ears run from brow line to nose base. These give a check on any restoration.
Techniques
Eye and mouth closure (caps, sutures, needle injector, dental ties), hypodermic tissue building for hollows and emaciation, wax and putty for defects, then cosmetics: a base matched to undertone, light shading, a little blush, lip colour, hair and nails. Photographs and family description guide the work.
Traps and a rule of thumb
Examiners test over-cosmetics and heavy contouring, which look masklike; the wrong undertone; over-injection causing distortion; and ignoring how the room will be lit. Rule of thumb: stand where the family will stand, look from about two metres, and take off a third of the make-up you think is needed.