CREATING IMAGE 1 - HALLOWEEN... (WEEK 5)

Test shots/Face charts/Planning.

Below are pictures of some of my test shots taken after practising my planned design. We were asked to create an image based on the Brave New world theme. We had to use an anthropological approach whilst creating it. Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. From this definition and the fact that this particular week is Halloween, I decided that I would like to create a more gory looking representation of my character using the techniques that I've been taught in that past 4 weeks.  My favourite products that we used is liquid latex. The only negative about it in my opinion is that it's not the easiest to remove from the face especially after layering on top of it. However It dries pretty fast compared to other products such as wax and it's just as effective. I'm still trying to get to grips with using the different products and could do with being more confident when applying them because by the end I regret not being more heavy handed with texture and colour which could have made the overall look much more effective.

Products used:

Liquid latex

Supra colour palette

Aqua colour palette 

Kryolan Foundation palette 

Illamasqua white powder

Blood spray 

PVA glue

Mascara 

Multicoloured eyeshadow palette 

Tissue

Cotton buds

Foundation brush

Lip brush

Powder brush

Stipple sponge

Sponges

Mascara wands

Eyebrow brush

Face chart...

I have only included the face when practising my design but the hair/neck/ears ect will be included in the actual shoot. 

I'll be applying the look my model: Phoebe Jacob Epstein during the class. She have very sensitive skin and reacted to a few of the products such as the spirit gum when we were applying bald caps.So I have to ensure I check and test some of the products before applying them to her skin.

The neck is also going to have the same effect as the face, plus the ears and hairline are going to all be the same base colour. However I wanted to paint the fingers and finger tips black and include these in the photographs as I think they will contrast nicely held up against her white face. 

Hands inspiration...

I also wanted to add a tree affect down the side of the neck when first developing my ideas but the time and effort spent to create it was far to long plus it would have to be the main part of my look which I think it difficult to adapt as everyone naturally looks straight at the models face where as my design would mainly be focused on the neck.

Neck inspiration...

The hairstyle paired with this look need to still be cruel looking but less harsh that the heavy, scary make-up. I wanted to do a large up-do like featured in the image below. This would include me crimping all of my models hair then back-combing it to try and achieve enough volume for it to stand on end. I have little pink flower that would be added at the end acting as a bobble/tie. The contrast of pink and black would work well together however my models hair is bright red with blonde ends so I don't want her to end up looking clownish. 

Hair inspiration...

Test shots demonstrated on myself...

BALD CAPS: APPLICATION AND PAINTING/SCARRING/TEXTURE

Bald caps...

Products used:

Pin tail comb/Comb

Brush

Water Spray

Gel

Spirit Gum/Remover

Sponges/Stipple

Powder 

Fullers earth

Sequins/Jewels

Supra-colour palette
Scissors
Cotton buds (Helps cap removal.) 

NO Pins - Will puncture cap

A lot of models nowadays will shave there head for a role rather than waste valuable time each morning with someone applying one to the head. If this is the case ensure that the head is shave on set each morning as a slight bit will grow back over night. Continuity is key with aspects like this as the head has to look the exact same each and everyday on set.

If you have struggled applying the bored cap at the back for example ask the film crew to avoid filming the back of the head. (Work as a team.) 

Avoid straight edges of camera.

Application...

• Wet the whole of yours models head using the water spray and brush through using the brush and comb.
• Then apply gel throughout hair. A lot of gel is needed especially on long haired models as all the hair has to be sculpted and stuck the head. Massage the gel for the root to the end of the head.
• Now the hair can be styled two either ways either spilt down the middle and wrapped around the head in opposite directions or sculpted around the head all as one. My model, Phoebe had very long hair so I chose to part it and wrap around the head using the two separate pieces of hair.
• I then pulled then pulled the bald cap over the head. It comes all the way down to the nape of the neck and covers a lot of the forehead.
• The cap then needs trimming using scissors to alter its size. Trim down the front of the cap so there is only a little excess still hanging below the hairline onto the forehead. Always aim to cut less rather than more as its not possible to re-attach accidental cuttings. When cutting around the ear be extra careful ensuring you avoid cutting skin and hair. Put your fingers under the cap and pull it outwards so you know where to aim. Avoid pulling the cap down and stretching the elastic as it will return to a much smaller size after shaping it- resulting with cutting to much material off. 
• Always make sure there's a  bit of material left sitting over the hair and skin to it can be sealed down the spirit gum. (Get somebody to help you pull the cap over the models help if needed.)
• Pull the excess material from the cap on the forehead back a apply spirit gum in fast spurt before the products dries. Gently pull it back onto the forehead making sure there are no lumps or bumps.
• Using a damp puff press quite hard down on the edges of the cap to help it blend into the skin.
• Repeat this process all around the head. The quicker its done the more accurate the outcome is.
• The fun part: after securing the bald cap and ensuring it dry and bump free around the edges, products can now be added on the head. I used some Kryolan coloured spray, yellow and my supra-colour pallet to create a bright alien effect. I'm a little obsessed with using the gold when it comes to covering the effects we've created. It gives the products applied a really nice colour and texture and has an almost Sci-fi feel to it.
• I added the gold colour first using wiping and dabbing motions with a sponge. I then lightly sprayed over the top with the yellow spray. Using the pink I started to dab the corners of the sponge all over the head to create a faded pattern that reminded me almost of faint lipstick marks. So I decided to recreate the idea and actually kiss the forehead to see the outcome! The yellow and pink definitely made a very strong effect paired together. 

(1.) Applying the water and gel and sculpting around the scalp.

(2.) Applying Bald cap.

(3.) Adding colour/texture.