Fish lady; latex-tures

Having failed to master a successful latex application, I decided it was time to experiment using a variety of materials in order to find what works best for me.

In truth I didn't have a set plan except trying out materials so what was initially going to just be a "tired baggy eye" look, turned into some sort of sea monster. But I just went with it anyway.

Materials from top to bottom:

• newsprint paper - hard to add bulk without ridges showing
• embroidery thread - could be useful for veins/ detail
• cotton wool - hard to work with, impossible to get smooth or to apply makeup to after
• more embroidery thread 

• upholstery sponge - very promising, I just need to figure out how to seal off holes properly (spirit gum?)

• crepe paper - texture ok, hard to stick down properly, and very fragile/tears easily
• thick acrylic wool - not a bad material, although texture is quite specific
• bubble wrap - hard to disguise edges but a fun texture to work with

I always underestimate the pain of peeling latex off after it's stuck to your hair. I saw a tutorial online which suggested to coat the underlying hairs with spirit gum, and then scar wax once dry. Will try that next time.

Now for the sea lady look. The textures reminded me of some sort of sea creature so I just went along with it, even though it's usually better for me to have a plan first.

                               

Brought to my mind a very fishy episode in the series Mighty Boosh called "old gregg" .

Note to self: sponge is great to work with, especially as you can mould it when the latex becomes tacky. The idea came to me after watching a Rick Baker tutorial where he used sheets of poly foam, which I imagined to have spongy qualities.

Half Glasgow Smile

I particularly enjoyed creating this effect, and learnt a lot in the process.

First I drew a very rough outline in eye liner, to help guide where the scarwax should go.

You can scrape up the scarwax with a tiny little spade if you want!

I tried to get as clean a line as possible. Scarwax is tricky as it melts on your fingers almost instantly and whatever you apply will try and attach itself back on to your fingers.

Next I applied a couple of layers of latex. Again, not an easy substance to use as it doesn't sit smoothly on the skin and sometimes peels at the edges. I had quite a bit of difficulty with this and ended up having to patch it up with more scarwax and latex. Perhaps scarwax is better in smaller quantities.

After some loose powder, I started on the makeup. The makeup was really the fun part, although I was mainly trying to disguise the latex as much as possible

Next time I think I will actually use black more sparingly, to have more emphasis on where the cut meets the mouth, to create more of an "open" look. 

As always, a little fake blood helps.

Only costs £1.99 

Was worth it just to peel off the latex at the end. Very satisfying as long as it's not caught in your hairs.

 

Forest Photoshoot Ideas

The next venture on my agenda is a photoshoot involving  a member of the cast from the Ballad of Queen music video. To my knowledge, the idea is that the photo will be taken in the evening around sunset/dusk in a forest, so it will be dimly lit and I think only using natural light. Therefore the makeup needs to highlight the structure of the model's face, or a least picking up certain parts of her face.

So I decided to try my hand at using gold body paint and glitter to create this effect. At the moment I'm thinking of creating a dirty muddy look mixed in with gold highlights to bring it together.

The next time, I will make a lot more of the contouring, including more dramatic cheekbones and eyes, as well as possibly putting some gold in the hair.

Another idea I may or may not progress with - this one involves few colours as well.

Crazy eyebrows?

This gives an idea of the makeup under natural light t dusk. I used a lot of highlighter and gold body paint, but also contouring. In these photos much of the detail is lost but the professional photos will be a lot clearer hopefully.

In the end I went fo a more triangular shape under the eye and more contouring in brown, around the cheekbones in particular.

The Ballad of Queen Victoria

Here are a few photographs from the Ballad of Queen Victoria Music Video Shoot (31/05/14), taken by Bleu Hope who can be found on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bleuhope.visualartsanddesign/timeline

The band is Elyssa Vulpes and the Betes Noires:
https://www.facebook.com/BetesNoire?fref=ts
http://www.reverbnation.com/elyssavulpes
http://www.themoonwhispers.com/shows

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                  Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                  Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                   Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                   Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                   Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                                                                           Photograph by Bleu Hope

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                           Photograph by Bleu Hope

Some activities and opportunities

It's been quieter than usual on my blog lately, but I thought i'd update it with some things I've been up to in case anyone's wondering!

A few weeks back I was involved in the 48 hour film project where i made a latex scar on an actress's arm. The main thing I learnt from that was to keep things simple; as I know now scar wax is a lot easier and quicker when you need an on-the-spot effect.


The next project was doing makeup for a music video for Elyssa Vulpes and the Betes Noires, which was based on a song written about Queen Victoria and her oppressing of physical contact.

Here's a link which takes you to the previous draft of the music video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMIGbMZalyk&list=PL4E6DCB0481538A45

I believe they will use some parts of this version along with the new footage, as we ran out of time on the day of the shoot.



And this led to me being asked to help with a short film this weekend, starring one of the actresses in the music video, which apparently will have a 40s vibe about it.

I thought I'd have a crack at 40s style. I will need to go bold for it to show up properly on camera, and perhaps make sketches of various hairstyles to prepare, especially as I haven't met anyone else in the cast.

Wax wound (hand)

In comparison with latex, I found wax to be much quicker and more realistic for small cuts. There are some drawbacks - wax can be smudged and peels (although i believe using a layer of latex round the edges helps with this), and it can't be reused.

I started off by scraping up some wax (snazaroo) and rolling little pieces into sausage shapes. I then pressed it at one side and smoothed away from the middle of the wound.

It melted into my skin quickly and I found you can't rub it away successfully, instead you have to add more or slowly mold it. In fact I made a mess of it the first time I tried and had to clean off and start again.

During the first attempt I rubbed the wax outwards too for so it melted and got caught up in my hairs:

The second time things went a little smoother:

I tried to be more precise and get a cleaner line.

Next, I darkened the cut with black shadow, as suggested in a youtube video I saw, although I think black liquid liner or black stage paint works better as I ended up having to go back in with that later.

I also used a variety of shadows including brown, purple and yellow around the wound to suggest bruising and tenderness.

Then for the gory bit, I added a little fake blood inside the cut, as well as darkening it with black, green and a hint of yellow Kryolan grease paint. I stipple just a little green and yellow on the outside too to make it look a little infected.

If you feel you haven't been grossed out enough by this, here's a couple of blurry photos of me pinching the cut together and opening it out: