Research, Research, Research!!!

Research, Research, Research!!!

I got super excited about the different images and artists I found so decided to dedicate another post to my research and my obsessive pinning session!!

This fabulous image is Bart Hess' 'Slime Art' I looked at Hess' work due to his use of unique materials, creating fantastic textures and this concept seems open to interpretation to the viewers. It is innovative and effective, and something I am contemplating to use as part of my project (How? I don't know yet).

Renowned make-up artist Alex Box created this look as part of a collaborative project with photographer Rankin. Box refers to this series of imager as Charlie 9, creating a range from white to black and everything in between. Her work is inspirational to many students and artists alike as Alex Box uses the face and body of her models as her blank canvas, developing something extraordinary using unconventional products. In the images of this series she used icing sugar, cake decoration, glues and paper. Her product use makes me reflect on my references and enthuses me to use some of these techniques. 

This project by Lois Cohen is effectively named 'Botox do it yourself'. The use of flesh coloured plasters are highly effective in changing her models facial features, this would be a great technique to use as I would also be able to paint over them. They can contour and shape the face in unique and abstract ways but still remain realistic. 

These images by Paddy Hartley show his 'Face Corsets', they manipulate the skin in remarkable ways and create an eccentric perception of beauty. Hartley created the face corset in response of the current facial ideals in western society. Just as Cohen, Hartley's inspiration also derives from cosmetic surgery; however Paddy Hartley's design has been used support the face and benefit the healing process after skin grafts and surgery. These images make me look at facial structures and dimensions in a different way, making me consider how I can manipulate the skin to achieve something avant-garde.

Dutch artists Lernert and Sander created a transformation from a natural beauty look to something outrageous. Applying 365 layers of make-up, overall using 228.40ml of make-up. With a lot of the work I've researched it seems that simplicity is the key, application and concept are the components that make it intricate and original. This video being a primary example of this!

This project my Tadas Cerniauskas is not just funny but highly effective. Blasting a strong force of air at his models affecting mainly their mouth, eyes and hair. No specific make-up or applications are used but as the skin is manipulated by the air the colouring and original shapes are altered extremely. 



For more information or images please visit:

http://barthess.nl
http://trendland.com/the-makeup-artist-alex-box-rankin/
http://www.loisdcohen.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3716834.stm
http://paddyhartley.com
http://lernertandsander.com
http://www.tadaocern.com

A change of heart

A change of heart

I looked back upon my original face charts and decided it was just not good enough. I want to try something new, be unique and unconventional; so with a little direction from my tutor I decided to look further into artists that target the subject area of deformity, skin manipulation and layered make-up application.

I used pinterest to research photographers, painters, make-up artists and other designers, and created a board for reference and inspiration. 

Photographers Wes Naman's work 'Scotch Tape' (left) represents a series of portraits with his models covered in tape distorting their features. His work looks similar to a piece created by Douglas Gordon 'Monster' 1997, where this technique was also used. I am using Naman's project 'Scotch Tape'  as reference as his use of a simplistic material is a creation of something highly effective and a perfect representation of distortion.

'The Ugly Truth' by Rut Mackel, photographer Mackel had his models press their faces up against framed glass to get this image of facial distortion. Mackel's images reflect personal identity. Just as within my concept Rut Mackel wants to challenge people's perception of physical beauty. 

Natalia Pereira's project communicates the concern towards the domination of habitual consumerism. For my project I have started to look at the perception of beauty and body image discovering a psychological disorder called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), disrupting their personal perception of their body image, causing distress and phobias.  This project, appropriately named 'Dismorfobina',  also explores factors of this disorder.

As stated in my FMP proposal I want to use the face as my blank canvas. This is exactly what artist Boo Ritson does, she paints her models with emulsion which creates another dimension along with presenting the observer with ambiguity. She portrays a sense of realism as well as a likeness of static art.

Renowned photographer Cindy Sherman transforms herself with the use of make-up, she shows how effective make-up is as a material for transfiguration. Using her work as a reference is important for my project, inspiring me to push boundaries and using make-up effectively to portray the questioning Sherman's work conveys in several ways.             

This sequence of images by Paco Peregrin intrigued me by the use of bright colour and the bandage across the face, it is beautiful yet ominous.

The start

THE START

It is clear that my project needs a lot more consideration in regards to research to further my knowledge of various application techniques and product usage to truly make my project unique.

This week my main research focus is art looking at Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Jenny Saville and Cecily Brown whom represent a varied visualization of colour, distortion and ambiguity.

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/jenny%20saville

Jenny Saville's paintings target deviant subjects, her intense use of colour and sense of realism is highly inspirational and an interesting factor that borderlines unsettling. 

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/brown_High_Society.htm

It's the ambiguity that Cecily Brown presents that intrigued me as well as her skilful use of her bright colour choices.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/mans-head-self-portrait-iii-1963

With artist Lucian Freud it was more his use of brush work, creating a dimension to the face contouring and sculpturing different aspects which is something I could also achieve with make-up application.

http://www.leninimports.com/francis_bacon_gallery_6.html

Ellis Faas' main inspiration for her film, Francis Bacon. His use of shapes and colour are incredible and show me how I could possibly apply his technique to create something obscure. Also there is still a sense of realism to the human face that is presented in this image. 

I also carried out my first test shoot this week; I wanted to create a layer of skin that would be peeled off like in this image.

  It was suggested to me to use latex and layer it up, as it will then be able to peel off in one piece. Sadly this was not very effective, the application process went well however removing it was more of a struggle than expected. It did not come off in one piece and was not very comfortable for the model. So I will test this idea again using a different method, I am going to try and use the feel off face mask and possibly layer it up as well which will hopefully be easier and more comfortable to peel off in one piece.

Of a sensitive nature

Of a sensitive nature

DISCLAIMER: 

Images and information portrayed in this post will be of a sensitive nature, talking about craniofacial syndromes, conditions and other facial differences. Please DO NOT read this if you are uncomfortable with the nature of this topic. Of no means is this meant to harm or offend anyone. This is purely for research purposes to gain knowledge and understanding, and to fully comprehend the realistic affects  certain conditions and incidents can have on the skin as well as facial features. 

It wasn't the easiest research to conduct as the images can be quite upsetting, however it does make me more determined to put an important message across and succeed in the camouflage make-up industry. Often people are born with facial differences and it is not something that is preventible, it by no means means that these individuals are strange or ugly. Facial differences do not define an individual so it angered me when an online definition explained a deformity to be ugly! 

I separated and narrowed down my research into skin and facial structure looking at a varied range of syndromes, conditions and incidents that can alter the appearance as well as texture.

• Acne for example can affect the skin in several ways, it can show up as whiteheads being a pimple under the skin, blackheads a black pimple on the surface of the skin, pustules being red pimples, and cysts. It is clear that acne changes the texture and colour of the skin as well as causing possible scarring.
  

• Port Wine Stain also known as a birthmark, this ruby red or purple skin discolouration is caused by swollen blood vessels. 
  

• Burns affect the skin severely and often leaves the individual scarred, however burns can effect more then just the skin tissue depending if it is a first, second or third degree burns affecting the texture and surface of the skin.
  

• Cleft lip is one of the most common physical birth defects and is characterized by a vertical split in the upper lip. Cleft lip can be on one side only (unilateral) or on both sides (bilateral).

• Bell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis or muscle weakness. Bell's Palsy can vary depending on the individual, it can affect the mouth and eyelid.
  

• Moebius Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder effecting the cranial nerves creating a mask-like expression as those with the condition are unable to frown, smile or blink.
  
  
  
  These are only a small number of syndromes and conditions I researched, it has been a crucial part of my development 

For more information please visit: http://aboutface.ca/page.php?id=1643

The concept

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT

The concept:

My desired career path is corrective make-up so it got me thinking about the concept of beauty. As often heard ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, that’s why I want to portray a questioning mindset of what our personal views on beauty are; how do we create ourselves and how make-up application can be the formation or distortion of it. The outcome will be a short film showing a metamorphosis using the face as my blank canvas.

My main inspiration for this concept was triggered by the short film ‘A family Affair’ by make-up artist and photographer Ellis Faas, her muse being renowned artist Francis Bacon. Faas states that Bacon’s work inspired her due to the use of colour, I read that she found it “unnerving and stunningly beautiful at the same time”.  I am determined to represent that distortions of the norm are not necessarily unattractive and believe that viewers are more acceptant and receptive of this when presented through an art form.

Hopefully the film will leave the audience in a reflective mindset, as well as excited about the different prospects make-up has as a creative art form as this is the feeling Faas' video left me and inspires me to communicate this further.