The Emcee Hair Design

Because I have already secured a model, I have designed the hairstyle around my model's unique hairstyle. My model's hair is shaved at the sides and long on top. In order to maintain elements of the 1930s in my design, I have chosen to incorporate curls as I also feel they appeal to the contemporary aspect as well. These images are my ultimate contemporary inspiration for my hair design. 

My design includes the long hair on top being curled using barrel curling tongs. As for the rest of the hairstyle, my Emcee is a top performer, he is the headlining act and the STAR of the show. I think it would be in his creative personality to give recognition to this in his hairstyle. I have decided to use stencils to create stars on the shaved part of my model's head. 

I created my own star stencils of various sizes out of a sheet of craft foam. I drew a star onto a square of foam and them cut it out to get a stencil. When I first practised stencilling on my model, I used aqua colours, sponging them onto the head within the stencil. The result, very faint colours. The shape of the star was sort of visible but no matter how many layers I applied, the colour was very washed out. 
After the aqua colour fail, I tried using coloured hairsprays, the novelty wash-in, wash-out ones you can buy at fancy dress stores. The colour was bolder using the sprays however, because my model's hair is very fine and short, it was as though I was spraying onto the skin. The product ran and the shape no longer resembled a star.   
The third medium I chose to test was supra colours and, third times a charm, it worked really well. I used a small brush to apply supra colour within the star stencil and it showed up really great, I was able to achieve perfect star shapes and the product stayed in place. 

Practising the curls 

Practising the curls 

Using aqua colours & coloured hairspray

Using supra colours

Products and equipment needed:

•  Small barrel curling tongs
• Heat Defence Spray
• Dry Shampoo
• Hairspray
• Sectioning Grips
• Hair brushes inc. pintail comb
• Star shaped stencils
• Supra Colour Palette
• Method:

1.    Prep the hair with heat defence spray and dry shampoo if necessary

2.    Curl the entire top section of hair in small sections, releasing from the tongs carefully so the curls maintain their tight formation

3.    Fix the curls with hairspray

4.    Hold star stencil to the head and fill with supra colour as indicated by design

The Emcee Makeup Design 3 (Final Design)

After experimenting with my first two designs, I reevaluated my research points and was inspired by the following contemporary images.. 

From these images, I devised my final makeup chart. I am using a red and black colour scheme, colours I associate with circus ring leaders, an act I relate closely to the Emcee. Around the eyes, I use supra colours to create a fade of colours down the cheek from black to dark red, primary red, and then white. I used a quick brush technique to create the effect, similar to that used in Impressionism. 

The eyelids are covered with a wash of black eyeshadow, the eyebrows are filled in with a M.A.C black pencil and false eyelashes (Eyelure 143) are applied to give thick, luscious lashes. On the lips, I line with black supra colour, extending a little at the corners of the mouth. I then fill the lips in with dark red and a touch of white in the centre.  The cheeks are heavily contoured with the combination of dark Kryolan foundation and NYX matte brown bronzer. 

I really love this design, I think it better relates to my character than the previous two. I also think it will look really great on my model considering his great bone structure. 

Products and equipment needed:·      

• Makeup Brushes
• Disposable applicators
• Tweezers
• Kryolan Foundation Palette
•   Illamasqua Loose Powder
•  Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
•  Eyelure False Eyelashes #143
•  Duo Adhesive
•   Revolution ‘Flawless’ Eyeshadow Palette
•  Supra Colour Palette
•  MAC Black Pencil
•  Maybelline ‘False Lash Effect’ Mascara

Emcee Inspo on Pinterest. 2014. Emcee Inspo on Pinterest. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.pinterest.com/danikayasmin/emcee-inspo/. [Accessed 01 December 2014].

In Class Presentation & Feedback (Contemporary)

These are screen shots from the presentation I had planned on delivering to my class about my contemporary character. Unfortunately I didn't get around to presenting but I did share it with some peers as well as my course leader, Sharon, and was able to  receive some insightful feedback. 

The feedback I received from my presentation was:

• The initial ideas for the Emcee are good
• There needs to be more references to inspiration outside of the Club Kids and editorial images
• Look at art movements of Impressionism, Pointillism and Cubism 
• Look at Picasso's women and Matisse's drawings
• Perhaps attempt two versions of your Emcee and present both on your blog, explaining why you prefer one over the other
• Show your inspiration for the stars on the Emcee's hair design
• Explain on your trials, what products worked successfully, what didn't work 

The Emcee Makeup Design 2

For my second design, I decided to go in a completely different direction. In the first couple of practical lessons with Lottie, she taught us the application of aqua an supra colours to create abstract art on the face. I really enjoyed working in this style and decided to incorporate it into my second design on the lips. 

I also decided to use this face chart to experiment with different textures. After applying brushes of supra colour onto the lips, I applied glitter, for a contemporary effect. I also worked texture into the eyebrows, sticking coloured rhinestone gems to different parts of the brow. 

I feel the colour scheme I used for the first design was a broad spectrum that didn't necessarily have any connection to the 1930s or my character. I therefore, decided to adopt a narrower band of colours for his design, working primarily with red with hints of yellow and green. The red is a reflection of the 1972 Cabaret Emcee, where he would wear red on the lip and cheek. 

Looking at the design, having put it onto a face chart and also practised on myself, I feel I've tried to include too many elements. I like the idea of using a red colour scheme however I feel this design is a too clown-like and quite tacky. I love working with the abstract technique and hope this is something I can continue into my final makeup design. 

The Emcee Makeup Design 1

My first makeup design for the Emcee was inspired by the bold colour choices used by the Club Kids and pop magazine covers. I was also influenced by the abstract, hasty brush approach seen in impressionist art work. 

Here, I used soft bristle brushes with supra colours to create washes of pigmented colour over the eye are. When I tested it on myself I felt the colours weren't as bold as they had appeared on the face chart I'd devised. 

Though this design definitely incorporates contemporary style and references 19th century art movements, I don't feel there are any ties to the character I am creating. 

Post 10 & 11 (Contemporary)

Post 10 - Actioning
If I were to choose an active verb for Act 1 Scene 10, I would be to deliver. I chose this in relation to the face the the Emcee is on stage, delivering an entertaining performance. In relation to appearance, I imagine 'to deliver' would mean a contextually accurate hair and makeup style to reflect the message being relayed.  

Post 11 - Score the text 

Some active verbs I have chosen for the Emcee to consider are...

• to deliver
• to captivate
• to entice
• to perform

Posts 3-9 (Contemporary)

Post 3 - Where is the Emcee?
The Emcee is at Cafe de Paris in London where he headlines the contemporary cabaret performances every evening. 

Post 4 - When is it? 
It is present day, London. He's performing in an evening show to an audience of wealthy, some royal, individuals. It's mid winter however he performs in a warm indoor venue so he needn't wear plenty of layers. His costumes for each performance varies, right now, he's in a simple black turtle neck jumper and black jeans. 

Post 5 - Where has the Emcee just come from? 
The Emcee has just come from his luxurious dressing room where he is made up by a professional hair and makeup artist and styled by the resident costume designer. The Emcee is pampered and comforted because he is the star of the show. 

Post 6 - What does the Emcee want?
Being the star performer/headlining act at Cafe de Paris is one thing, being the lead in a West End theatre production is another, and that's what the Emcee yearns to achieve. He's comfortable being the top dog of his own club however he's ready to move on to bigger and better roles.

Post 7 - Why does the Emcee want it?
The Emcee feels he's gotten everything he possibly could out of his current venue, he wants to challenge himself, push himself, and explore greater, more demanding roles. He wants international fame, success and money. 

Post 8 - Why does the Emcee want it now?
Having maintained residency at Cafe de Paris for several years now, he fears there is a threat with newer performers stealing his spotlight. He needs to move onwards and upwards before they catch up to him. 

Post 9 - What will happen if the Emcee doesn't get it now?
He won't give up. The Emcee will continue to audition for roles and put himself out there in a hope that he'll one day be recognised for his performing talent and be offered a role of a lifetime. 

Café de Paris | 3-4 Coventry Street W1D 6BL | Music and nightlife | Time Out London. 2014. Café de Paris | 3-4 Coventry Street W1D 6BL | Music and nightlife | Time Out London. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.timeout.com/london/music-nightlife/cafe-de-paris. [Accessed 30 November 2014].

The Emcee Moodboard

This mood board reflects my inspiration for my contemporary version of The Emcee. I love working with shape and colour and want to work this into my designs and hopefully into the final outcome of my contemporary character. 

Matisse's Drawings

Mattise was selective when it came to drawing. The medium he would choose to use (pencil, charcoal, crayon), were dependant on his subject (male, female, nude?). He felt his drawing were a very intimate form of expression. 

 Researching his drawings, I love the spontaneity and fluidity of each art piece. They aren't realistic drawings yet they still resemble the subject.  

As a fun experiment with colour and drawing, I worked upon some of Matisse's drawings to create these new, colourful version. 

Matisse and Contour Drawing - Art Teaching Portfolio. 2014. Matisse and Contour Drawing - Art Teaching Portfolio. [ONLINE] Available at:http://artanig.weebly.com/matisse-and-contour-drawing.html. [Accessed 29 November 2014].
 Jo Murray - Art: Matisse - Drawing Life. 2014.    Jo Murray - Art: Matisse - Drawing Life. [ONLINE] Available at: http://jomurray-art.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/matisse-drawing-life.html. [Accessed 29 November 2014].
Portrait of John-Antoine Naun by Henri Matisse. 2014. Portrait of John-Antoine Naun by Henri Matisse. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.henri-matisse.net/drawings/em.html. [Accessed 29 November 2014].

Pat McGrath Inspiration

I'm forever inspired by the legendary, Pat McGrath! Here's a few images of her incredible work that have influenced my final design. 

Pat McGrath. 2014. Pat McGrath. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.stylenoir.co.uk/pat-mcgrath-makeup-artist/. [Accessed 29 November 2014].
Behind The Muse | 21st Street Blog | Forever 21. 2014. Behind The Muse | 21st Street Blog | Forever 21. [ONLINE] Available at:http://blog.forever21.com/category/behind-the-muse/. [Accessed 29 November 2014].
Pat McGrath Makeup | BEAUTY SHOPPER. 2014. Pat McGrath Makeup | BEAUTY SHOPPER. [ONLINE] Available at: http://fixmakeup.co.uk/tag/pat-mcgrath-makeup/. [Accessed 29 November 2014].Art, News & Lipstick | Tag Archives: Pat McGrath. 2014. Art, News & Lipstick | Tag Archives: Pat McGrath. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.musebeautyproblog.com/tag/pat-mcgrath/. [Accessed 29 November 2014].

Picasso's Women

Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso (born 1881), is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Picasso is known for having co-found the Cubist movement as well as inventing constructed sculpture, collage and helping explore other styles of art. 

I have researched Picasso's paintings where his subject is a woman. He uses such a wide range of colours, mostly in primary tones. His use of shapes to piece together the face is so fascinating. I love the broken, deformed appearance.

The Weeping Woman, 1937 by Pablo Picasso. 2014. The Weeping Woman, 1937 by Pablo Picasso. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.pablopicasso.org/the-weeping-woman.jsp. [Accessed 29 November 2014].
Picasso’s Women. | queenofspades12. 2014. Picasso’s Women. | queenofspades12. [ONLINE] Available at:http://queenofspades12.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/picassos-women/. [Accessed 29 November 2014].
The Women of Pablo Picasso prepared by Saper Galleries. 2014. The Women of Pablo Picasso prepared by Saper Galleries. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sapergalleries.com/PicassoWomen.html. [Accessed 29 November 2014].