Frog Specimen

$15 - $20 (based on 2020 prices)
Makes one specimen

In addition to props like the framed rotting face and the framed torso, which contained human specimens, I also wanted a collection of animal specimens to fill the laboratory for 2020’s haunt. For this version, I utilized an anatomical frog that came as part of a science kit, which also including the diagram I used as the backdrop.

• One 9.5” x 11.5” shadow box
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat black*
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in metallic silver*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat brown*
• One piece of 8” x 11.5” copy paper with a frog anatomical chart printed on it
• At least one tablespoon of dark roasted coffee grounds
• One pan large enough to soak the paper
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• One anatomical frog skeleton with detachable organs
• One 8 oz. can of oil-based interior wood stain in Jacobean*
• One 8 oz. can of oil-based interior wood stain in red chestnut*
• Ten decorative straight pins (approximately one inch in length)
• One 0.3 fluid ounce bottle of red food coloring*
• One 4 oz. bottle of clear, all-purpose tacky glue gel*

1. Remove the shadow box’s glass and, on a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, build up layers of black and metallic silver spray paint to give it the look of steel. This process works best if you apply a base coat of black and then add the sliver, working in quick bursts to allow parts of the black to remain visible. You can also touch up portions with additional blasts of black if the silver becomes too heavy.  

2. To give the frame a filthy appearance, water down brown paint and brush it over the surface, creating drips down the sides and permitting the liquid settle into the cracks (you can also use a spray bottle for the application). You may want to experiment with the consistency prior to doing this: the more water you add, the fainter the wash; the less water you add, the darker the wash.

3. Add the coffee to a cup of boiling water. The longer you allow the coffee to brew, the darker the stain. Likewise, greater amounts of coffee will produce a richer stain. Since I wanted irregular spots rather than a unified discoloration, I placed the copy paper on a baking sheet, splashed coffee and grounds onto its surface, allowed the liquid to sit for a few minutes, and then moved it to a space to dry.

4. Glue the copy paper to the backing of the shadow box. For additional distress, you can crumple the paper before doing so to create tears and wrinkles and add further spots with light dabs of olive or vegetable oil.

5. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, paint the skeleton and organs with the wood stain. I started with the red chestnut as a base and then dabbed Jacobean around the edges to darken them. This gave them a meaty appearance which made them look fresh.

6. Position the skeleton and organs on the backing and glue them in place. Following this, glue the straight pins into the organs to make them appear tacked to the backing.  

7. In a plastic container (because the food coloring will stain, use something disposable or that you won’t mind dying), pour in your desired amount of clear glue gel and slowly add red food coloring to the solution until it achieves the sanguine hue you desire. To give the blood further density, add blue food coloring and mix well. Then, smear the organs with the glue. Depending on your chosen aesthetic, this step is entirely optional. You can eliminate the blood for something tamer.

8. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, paint the glass with the wood stain. Apply a thin coat and pat it with paper towels to produce a hazed appearance and brush the edges to create the illusion of grime buildup. Refrain from making the coverage too thick, though, because it can obscure the specimen inside.  

9. Reattach the glass to the frame. If you plan to display the prop outside in windy conditions, consider gluing it in place. You may also want to permanently seal the shadow box to prevent it from accidentally opening during the haunt; however, this will make its contents inaccessible in the future.  

10. The prop can be enhanced further with additional details, like a specimen tag or biohazard label. Likewise, the red food coloring can be substituted for green to create slime rather than blood.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.