Evaluation of my HNC studies across all modules throughout the year

My personal development throughout the year

Writing down my personal development is very important to me because it's much easier for me to achieve my goals if I see my plans written down. By planning the path, I believe I can develop strategies to reach my destination.

By writing down my goals and motivations it's much easier to understand the greater plan and I know exactly why I am doing what needs to be done. It's also a good idea to write down what I already achieved to be able to see my skills and personal development. So let's see what I've learnt throughout this year.

Theatre Makeup

At the beginning of the academic year, I was very much looking forward to study theatrical makeup because it is something I have never studied before, so it was completely new to me.

Throughout term 1 and term 2 I gained many valuable makeup skills that I did not have before, such as the ability to create ageing makeup, making, applying and coloring bald caps, applying false facial hair and prosthetic pieces. I also got to work with products that I never tried before, like Glatzan- cap plastic, crepe hair, soft putty, etc.

I also learnt to differentiate between theatre makeup and other types of makeup. Theatre makeup is all about the distance of the audience and the effect of stage lighting on the make-up. These are things that I very rarely had to take into consideration before.

Looking back at the photos of my work from the beginning of the year, I think I am safe to say that my techniques improved quite a lot and I became much more confident in theatrical makeup. For example when I first did an ageing makeup look, my lines were quite thick and not very well blended at all. I did not pay much attention to the fine details of the face either. After practising this makeup look I became much more confident about the placement of the shadows and highlights and how to blend the lines in a way that is still effective from a distance but also natural looking. Perfecting ageing makeup application is very important in my opinion, because it is all about shading and highlighting which is one of the main principles of makeup artistry.

I also learnt another very important technique in term 2: The making, the application and the coloring of 

bald caps. When we first started to learn about the making of bald caps, I had no idea what I was doing. I completely messed up the measuring of the head and my bald cap ended up being too small for my model. After practising it, I now have a much better understanding of the making of bald caps. By the time of the bald cap assessment at the end of term 2, I became quite confident in the application, blending and colouring of bald caps.

Current Trends

I think Current Trends was such an important module, because it's essential to know about what's going on in the world of fashion and current trends. Learning about and recreating our own interpretation of makeup looks that were created by such influential artists like Pat McGrath and Alex Box was very exciting for me. We also got to create a lot of creative makeup looks which has always been a favourite for me. I love using my imagination and creativity to achieve makeup looks that are unique and unusual. 
The beginning of the year was a bit difficult, because we kept having different teachers so it was really difficult to adapt to their different teaching styles. We also learnt some very important skills, such as bleaching eyebrows without bleach, covering eyebrows, makeup for black and white photography which are essential skills in makeup artistry in my opinion. I am also very glad about learning the difference between editorial and catwalk makeup. I now understand that on the catwalk, sometimes less is definitely more. I am also very happy about being able to create a blog and a website, as it's so important to know these skills in order to advertise yourself.

I also really enjoyed our final 'Cover Girl' project. It was really quite stressful to source models and photographers, but it was definitely worth it. I was really happy with my final image.

Production Management

I very much enjoyed this module and learnt a lot of useful things about the film and television industry, which is so important to me as I would love to have a career in film and TV makeup. I gained an insight into the role of the production team and into the background areas of the film an television industries.
We also learnt about the history of films and film making, early pioneers of makeup, script breakdown, budgeting, continuity sheets, call sheets and on set etiquette. We've also got given a final task, in which we had to work on as a team. It was definitely challenging, but fun. It made me realise how difficult it is to work with other people as a team and to share tasks.

Special FX Makeup

SFX Makeup is something I have always been extremely interested in. One of the main reasons I applied for this course was SFX Makeup. I've done some SFX Makeup in the past but I really wanted to progress in this field and I still really want to get into prosthetics- and mask making. I loved the fact that we learnt to use different materials to create the same look, such as latex, gelatine, silicone, etc. I would have loved to learn a bit more about mold making, face casting and prosthetics, but overall I really loved this subject.

Hair

Hair is probably one of the areas I feel I need to improve in the most. I think for a person who has never done hair before, one hair lesson a week was just not enough to develop the necessary skills. I understand it is all about practising but I would have loved to learn a bit more about current hair trends from the catwalks. If I'm completely honest, I sometimes felt like there was no connection between current trends in makeup and current trends in hair. I also felt like watching a YouTube tutorial should not be the way to learn about hair styling.

Because hair styling is so important in this industry, I feel it would be beneficial for me to do a separate hair course, as this just wasn't enough for me.

Body Painting

Again, I really enjoyed this module, because I found it very creative and challenging, however I do believe that we were not shown many techniques in this field. We had a theme to follow each week which was great, but I feel it would have been more beneficial to have short demos of different techniques to be able to learn and then recreate them. I feel like my art and design background has definitely helped me a lot to complete this module. I am indeed very artistic and I looked at the human body the same way as I look at an empty canvas. I am actually very proud of myself for completing two full body paintings in the time frame given for my final assessment. 

Managing a creative business

In this unit I've learnt the importance of marketing and advertising in this industry. Nowadays talent is not enough in my opinion. In a competitive market like this, you have to get your name out there and achieve a good reputation in order to be a successful business. You have to use marketing strategies to create service awareness. Without marketing your potential customers may never be aware of your business offerings and your business may not be given the opportunity to progress and succeed. Marketing builds brand name recognition. Without marketing, sales can easily crash and your business may have to close. 

I also learnt a lot about self-employment and how to pay your own taxes. By completing this unit, I now definitely have a much better understanding of how to run a successful business. It also helped me to develop research skills and web-design skills.

Period Makeup and Hair

Final Show

What I achieved this year

•      Learning new makeup skills and techniques
•      Learning about costume and head dress making
•      Different makeup projects to extend my portfolio
•      Work experience in a theater show- You Me Bum Bum Train and Virtually Dead
•      Work experience at Joey Bevan’s fashion show at the Basildon Fashion Awards
•      Part-time job in make-up artistry
•      Valuable work-relationships with industry professionals

My talents and strengths

•      Creativity
•      I am always open-minded to learn new tricks and ways of expanding my craft and skills
•      Recognizing the need of different techniques and products for the desired makeup look
•      Being able to create artistic and creative makeup

Areas I need to improve on

•      Application of crepe hair
•   ·  Hair styling!!!!!!!!!
•      Molding, casting and prosthetics making
•      To learn more about techniques for the television and film industry
•      Team-work

My plans for the future

My short-term goals are to network as much as possible and to find a senior make-up artist in the television and film industry, who I could assist for. Getting on set is the best way to learn makeup artistry in my opinion. My long-term goal is to pursue a career in the film and television industry. I also learnt a lot about different job roles in the industry, which I think is also extremely important. By researching this task, I now understand how different roles contribute towards the overall completed piece. Even though it is still very hard to be critical with my own work and find the things I do not like about it, it's something that definitely benefits me when trying to develop my skills. Another very important thing I’ve learnt throughout this year is that interpersonal skills are just as much important to your success as your makeup skills.

Overall I really enjoyed this year and I think I've definitely gained valuable makeup skills and had some great opportunities to experience the world of production media makeup. 

Evaluation of my headpiece and costume design

Evaluation

For our final, end of the year show we had to create a headpiece and a costume for the theme we chose. I chose the 'Balls of Louis XIV' category. The reason for this is because I don't have any images in my portfolio in this theme. I've done Tribal, Day of the Dead- sugar skull and Mythological/paganism makeup looks before and I thought that a baroque style image would look great in my portfolio.

So I started the process by researching images from the baroque era. I wanted to create a baroque style look with a modern, edgy twist, rather than a classic baroque look.

As Baroque/ Rococo is known for its artistic style that used exaggerated motion, clear details and swirling spirals and upward diagonals, I tried to go with this theme.

I also tried to incorporate Madame Pompadour's style by using flowers for the dress. Madame Pompadour was one of the most important figures to establish Rococo fashion. She adored pastel colors and floral patterns.

Dress

My original idea for the dress was to use a corset for the top part because corsets provided a nice contrast to the wide skirts in this period. As for the bottom part of the dress I wanted to create a wired underskirt with a few layers of tulle on top of it. Unfortunately I soon had to change this idea, because I couldn’t find any kind of wire that would be strong enough to hold the structure of an underskirt. I therefore decided to just make a puffy tulle skirt with flowers attached to it to brighten up the darkness of the black tulle. I was quite happy with the end result because it looked puffy enough without having a petticoat underneath, but then another problem occurred. I also made underwear for the outfit that was supposed to be seen underneath the original wired underskirt. I hand painted golden baroque motifs on it with gold fabric paint and attached pearls to it. I really wanted the underwear to be seen for a more modern look.

I then researched a bit more and found out that in this period, skirts were often opened at the front, displaying an underskirt or petticoat. This is why I decided to cut the tulle skirt shorter at the front so that we can see the underwear.

Headpiece

My original idea for the headpiece was something very modern but still suitable for the theme in my opinion. Here is a picture of the idea:

Original idea of the headpiece

I think this hairstyle looks very modern and edgy, yet still have the shape of the classic baroque hairstyle. I bought polystyrene balls and fake hair to make this headpiece. As I started to make it I soon had to realize that it is much harder to make it as it first seemed. I could not wrap the fake hair around the polystyrene balls smooth enough and it all looked messy and horrible. I also didn’t want to cover my model’s gorgeous curly red hair so I decided to change the whole concept and make something completely different. Since I had the polystyrene balls it made sense to use them for the new headpiece. I decided to spray paint them gold. I also had a beautiful Venetian mask from a previous project and I thought it would go really well with this theme so I decided to incorporate that as well.

Conclusion

I was very happy with the end results. I think everything came together nicely in the end. I tried to bring back the colors of the dress in the makeup as well.

My main concern was about the headpiece. It is a bit heavy and I was worried that it will be wobbly on the model’s head. I am going to try to rectify this issue by adding a support wire at the back for the final show.

As for the makeup, instead of sticking the pearls on the face one by one, I am going to attach the pearls on a thin piece of netting in advance for faster application on the day.

The end result

The finished hair, makeup, costume and headpiece

Final Project- End of the Year Show

Research on Tribal Makeup, The Day of the Dead and Paganism

Tribal

Tribal or Cultural Face Painting has been used for many motives. For hunting, religious reasons, and military reasons (mainly as a method of camouflaging) or to scare ones enemy. Several tribal fighting techniques were calculated to strike terror. Some warriors entered battle naked except for a loincloth, but their bodies were streaked in bizarre examples in red and black paint. Decorating one's face in various patterns and shapes has been a part of the cultural make-up of many societies since the beginning of time. Face painting is a common theme across cultures as divergent as the Indigenous American tribes in North America and various tribes in Africa and South America. In Native American Tribes, Face Painting has been used for artistic expression since ancient times. The art of transforming ourselves with make-up and masks is a universal phenomenon. Before we sought to vent our artistic impulse on a cave wall, we painted on our faces and bodies. Indigenous peoples of the Amazon have said that in this power to change ourselves, we demonstrate our humanity and set ourselves apart from the world of the animals.

Patterns developed over time to signify a variety of cultural events and these, conveyed an emotional meaning that was attached to them. The wide range of patterns that a face painter can create, enhance the emotions and meaning of the cultural events. The patterns can be color specific or randomly geometric seemingly without any significance. The shapes and colors convey a strong bond and meaning amongst people who have a face painting tradition. They are a connection to their past and carry a very strong cultural meaning in their lives. The reason tribes use face art to transform themselves may be varied. Sometimes they choose to do so as a part of a tribal ritual or at other times they do so to mark their status (as is the case with some aboriginal tribes), but the colourful and dynamic language of the face painting remains the same.

Pictures of my sketchbook:

The Day of the Dead

The days of the dead are truly a celebration of life.  When children dance with caricatures of death, eat skull sugar molds and learn to respect that life is brief, they learn there is a circle to life and to not fear death and then are free to enjoy and appreciate every moment.

Celebrating The Day of the Dead has a long history in Mexican Tradition.  The Day of the dead is celebrated on November 2^nd.  Sometime one hears reference to “the days of the Dead” which refers to the Days of October 31 – November 2.  October 31 is Halloween or All Hallows eve.

Some Christian’s hold to the belief structure that every day should be treated like Christmas, - as every day Christ’s love is born and should be celebrated.  Therefore, the positive, compassionate attitude that is associated with the Christmas season would ideally be maintained throughout the year.  Christmas Day is celebrated formally to remind us of this value.  The day of the Dead is similar.  During the days of the Dead, some believe that the souls of the departed return to earth to visit with and to provide council or give advice to family and loved ones.  In Mexico, there is a tradition of visiting gravesites. 

During the days of the dead, the family often takes the opportunity to visit the gravesite and pull weeds, clean any debris and decorate the graves of loved ones.  Often candles, flowers and the favorite foods of the deceased are placed on the grave and the family visits, eats, sings and tells favorite stories about those who have passed. 

Altars are usually decorated with flowers, candles, pan de muerto, ceramic skulls, and most importantly pictures of loved ones. Food placed on the altar consists of the loved ones favorite dishes and treats.  Drinks should be placed in the altar to quench the thirst of the dead after their long journey back home.  In many villages it is customary to offer alcoholic beverages.  Salt is considered the spice of life and is one the staples that are often left at the altar.  The scents of marigolds as well as burning copal (a resin of the copal tree) are thought to be most beloved by the spirits of the dead and invite them back home. 

The rituals used to celebrate the day are varied and colorful.  Yet, all carry the same message, celebrating the day of the dead is a true celebration of life.

 

Paganism

Paganism encompasses a diverse community with some groups concentrating on specific traditions, practices or elements such as ecology, witchcraft, Celtic traditions or certain gods. Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, Sacred Ecologists, Odinists and Heathens all make up parts of the Pagan community.

What do Pagans believe in?

Although Paganism covers a wide spectrum of ideas, these elements sum up the beliefs of the majority.

Nature

The recognition of the divine in nature is at the heart of Pagan belief. Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death. Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment.

Concepts of the divine

Pagans worship the divine in many different forms, through feminine as well as masculine imagery and also as without gender. The most important and widely recognised of these are the God and Goddess (or pantheons of God and Goddesses) whose annual cycle of procreation, giving birth and dying defines the Pagan year. Paganism strongly emphasises equality of the sexes. Women play a prominent role in the modern Pagan movement, and Goddess worship features in most Pagan ceremonies.

Pagan theology

Paganism is not based on doctrine or liturgy. Many pagans believe 'if it harms none, do what you will'. Following this code, Pagan theology is based primarily on experience, with the aim of Pagan ritual being to make contact with the divine in the world that surrounds them.

Pagan worship

As Paganism is a very diverse religion with many distinct though related traditions, the forms of Pagan worship vary widely. It may be collective or solitary. It may consist of informal prayer or meditation, or of formal, structured rituals through which the participants affirm their deep spiritual connection with nature, honour their Gods and Goddesses, and celebrate the seasonal festivals of the turning year and the rites of passage of human life.

As Pagans have no public buildings specifically set aside for worship, and most believe that religious ceremonies are best conducted out of doors, rituals often take place in woods or caves, on hilltops, or along the seashore. To Pagans the finest places of worship are those not built by human hands - as well as at stone circles, in parks, and private homes and gardens. Women and men almost always worship together and Paganism generally emphasises equality of the sexes. In certain paths, however, women may take the leading role as representative of the pre-eminence of the female principle.

Ceremonies usually begin with the marking out of a ritual circle, a symbol of sacred space which has neither beginning nor end, and within which all stand as equals. At the quarter-points, the four directions and the corresponding elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water will be acknowledged and bid welcome.

There may follow, according to the purpose of the rite, any or all of meditation, chanting, music, prayer, dance, the pouring of libations, recitations of poetry and/or the performance of sacred drama, and the sharing of food and drink. Lastly the circle will be formally unmade, the directions, elements, and all the forms of divinity that have been called upon thanked, as the rite ends.

Makeup and headpiece inspiration for Paganism

Makeup and headpiece inspiration for Paganism

Reference:

Face-Painting-Fun.com (2011) Cultural Face Painting [Online] Available at: http://www.face-painting-fun.com/cultural-face-painting.html

(Accessed: 2 June 2016)

Unknown (No Date) The Day of the Dead [Online] Available at: http://www.unm.edu/~htafoya/dayofthedead.html

(Accessed: 2 June 2016)

BBC.co.uk (2014) Religion: Paganism [Online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/

(Accessed: 2 June 2016)