Category Archives: Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 99: Face Painting Techniques/Brushwork Makeup Project Pt 2 “Day of the Dead” Sugar Scull Makeup [Assignment]

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Dia De Los Muertos animation
Slideshow of people in sugar scull makeup
woman dancing in sugar scull makeup

The Requirements of This Project:

Design & apply a classic Day of the Dead  (Sugar skull) makeup that also uses some of the face painting strokes you learned about in part 1. You may do this for members of the public or yourself at the ACL center.

Have Tara and the TA’s Take lots of photos of your work. (Or if stuck at home, take photos yourself)

Post your favorites to this assignment for credit.  Doing more than one project counts for more points, so if you do more than one, upload those photos for extra credit!

Red Catarina Makeup
woman in Caterina makeup
Woman in makeup

Note on Stencils:

If one of the techniques you were interested in using on this project is a stencil, you may either purchase or make your own stencil or BORROW ONE FROM TARA.  Again, borrow this the week before so you have a chance to play with it ahead of class.  Please return it at the end of class.  If  you want to make your own there are great  Links for Making & Using Face Stencils if you want further information.  

Steps to take:

  • Apply the Makeup for a traditional Day of the Dead Sugar Scull makeup or variant, to your face or your model’s face.
  • Have Tara or the TA’s take lots of photos.  
  • If you are stuck doing this at home, Do a  photo shoot of this project and give yourself time to get some perfect clear photos from many angles .
  • Post at least the best 3-4 pictures to the link below. 
  • IF YOU DO EXTRAS, Take photos and post them here also for extra credit!

I’m Done, Now What?

You may want to (or not) do more makeup on members of the public.  If you do so, make sure to take lots of photos (or have Tara do so)  and submit the extras here for additional extra credit points!

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 98: Watch Day of the Dead Makeup Videos Before Wednesday at the ACL Center! 

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Why this Project? This project also flexes your public face painting muscles, and was a beloved annual tradition at DVC pre-pandemic.

Pick Some Videos to Watch:

Yeah, I know many are in Spanish, by this time, after hearing me talk constantly in videos, don’t you want an excuse to turn the sound down?  Empathize with all the ESL learners, and SEE to LEARN with your EYES!   There is nothing better than spending time living alone in a country where you speak very little to none of the language to sharpen your visual observation skills.  It will definitely help one become a better artist.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VOB-k93bs6M

Day of the Dead logoDon’t See ones you’d like to try?  

Got to Tara’s Even Bigger List of Day of the Dead Makeup Tutorials!  Links to an external site.

Want to make a headpiece to match?

Or go full on nuts with this:

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 97: Face Painting Techniques/Brushwork Makeup Project Pt 1 Monday (Halloween) [Assignment]

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Split cake brushwork practice on a forearm

The Requirements of This Project:

Design & apply a classic fairground face paint makeup, halloween makeup or other style of makeup that uses 3 or more of the following: teardrop, lattice, stencil, butterfly-wing strokes, split cake/one stroke: petal, bridge, flame, rosebud, u-shape as part of the design. (this makes sense if you watched the videos)

Note on Split Cakes:

If you wish to work at home with one or more techniques from the videos that require a SPLIT CAKE for this project you can either make your own split cake, purchase one online or BORROW ONE FROM TARA over the weekend by choosing one to practice with.   Please return the cake when finished.  Before jumping in to doing your project  do various practice strokes with the Split Cake on your arms and/or face till you can control your brush strokes.  

Note on Stencils:

If one of the techniques you were interested in using on this project is a stencil, you may either purchase or make your own stencil Links to an external site. or BORROW ONE FROM TARA.  Again, borrow this the week before so you have a chance to play with it ahead of class.  Please return it at the end of class.  If  you want to make your own there are great  Links for Making & Using Face Stencils if you want further information.  

Tara with a face decorated with red/orange scales painted with a split cake by one of her students

Steps to take:

  • Apply the Makeup for a traditional fairground face paint or a makeup that uses the same brush techniques, to your face or your model’s face.
  • Have Tara or the TA’s take lots of photos.  
  • Keep doing the previous two steps with as many people who are willing to let you make them up.
  • If you are stuck doing this at home, Do a  photo shoot of this project and give yourself time to get some perfect clear photos from many angles .
  • Post at least the best 3-4 pictures to the link below. 

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 96: Watch Face Paint Technique Makeup Videos Before Halloween at the ACL Center!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Why this Project?: Face Painters must work very quickly while getting flashy effects by doing makeup in awkward unfamiliar locations on squirmy impatient children. As a result they have developed these special techniques that allow them to expertly create detailed shapes and color combinations in quick strokes of a brush.  Practicing these skills can increase your dexterity with a brush, and save you time in both face painting and other makeup application.

The Official Videos to Watch:

The 4 official required class how-to videos are part of an 8 part series “Face Painting Made Easy” at SophiesTipsLinks

If you want to watch the entire series you may do so:

However, you are only required to watch the following 4 videos:

These will teach you a number of techniques that are highly useful for face painting at fairs and parties, Dia de los Muertos, etc, but is also good advanced brush technique and tricks that apply to the more exotic and advanced stage makeup work like that which is used in Cirque de Soleil. 

You must create & execute at least one design that uses at least 3 of the new techniques you learned in these 4 videos.  You must make up any person who comes up ad asks you for makeup.

Green split cake demo on arm    red split cake demo on arm

YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO SPLIT CAKES TO WORK WITH!

Strongly Suggested Videos: 

For inspiration for your design you may also want to watch some classic face paint videos to see how these techniques traditionally work together, or further down the page, some theatrical designs that can use some of these techniques as part of their designs:

Classic Face Paint Videos:

More Face Painting VideosLinks to an external site.

 And a few Cirque du Soleil Videos:  People in bug costumes with face makeup, singing.

More Cirque du Soleil Makeup and Costume VideosLinks to an external site.

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 95: Activities: Face Painting Project

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

DVC makeup students in face paint
One DVC student applying face paint to another
DVC student applying makeup to a future makeup TA
  • You will watch some required Face Painting Technique Videos at home.
  • You will pick one or more specific how to videos to point you toward at least two fairground type face paint makeup projects (One must be Day of the Dead Sugar scull)
  • You will design and sketch two plans for 2 fairground face paint makeups that use 3 or more of the following: teardrop, lattice, split cake/one stroke: petal, bridge, flame, rosebud, u-shape, stencil, butterfly wing strokes, and upload your sketches for points. (extra sketches earn extra points)
  • You will apply makeup to your face (or to a model) to make your 2 projects of the Sugar Scull and classic fairground & face paint makeup that uses 3 or more of the following: teardrop, lattice, split cake/one stroke: petal, bridge, flame, rosebud, u-shape, stencil, butterfly wing strokes
  • You will have Tara or the TA’s (or yourself) take lots of photos of your work.  
  • You will upload your photos to the makeup and rendering assignment pages.
  • You will document any extra makeup you end up doing (or have Tara & the TAs do so) so you can upload images for extra credit.
Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 94: Learning Objectives: Face Painting

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Day of the dead animated gif  face painting Woman in UV face paint

This Week’s Learning Objective:Outcomes we will use to get there:
Improve your brushwork and learn the introductory basics of face painting. 
Learn to do makeup in awkward/unfamiliar locations in public view.  		Watch Face Paint Videos
Practice brush techniques at home
Design & apply at least 2 classic face paint makeups  (Halloween & Day of the Dead) that use 3 or more of the following: teardrop, lattice, split cake/one stroke, petal, bridge, flame, rosebud, u-shape, stencil, butterfly-wing strokes.
Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 93: Week 11 Schedule – ACL Student Center Face Painting Days!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

ACL Student Center Face Painting Days! Meet in the ACL patio outside the PAC Lobby (good weather) or in ACL Room #TBA (bad weather) with your kits including mirror, water containers and anything you need to be comfortable doing crazy stuff in public. 

I (Tara) will also bring my insanely huge face painting supply for your use. Renderings are suggested but not required, and so earn extra credit!

Fill in Date: Do Halloween inspired makeup on members of the public and each other in public!

Fill in Date: Do Day of the Dead Makeup inspired makeup on members of the public and each other in public!

Remember to have Tara or the TA’s  photograph you or your models, or take lots of photos yourself! 

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 92: Congratulations on making it to the end of Week 10!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Happy Halloween!

Creepy Face of Moving Cells
Anatomical animation of head in slices
Creepy face devoured by hair
Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 91: Veg Out and Watch Some Videos on Art and Faces

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

Be Calm.  There is no test, no quiz, and you can skip these videos if you don’t have time for them.  These are all just fun art projects related to faces/makeup.  I find the more I learn factually about faces the better I can see them, work with them, and achieve our ideal of enlightenment.  So, I share these with you so you may do the same…. if you have the time, watch and enjoy.  If you do not, chill, and remember: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR FACE!

Repeat Your Mantra: "There is NOTHING Wrong With My Face!"

Classes, Distance Education, Makeup Designs for Theatre & Film, Stage Makeup Class

STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 90: STAGE MAKEUP CLASS PAGES 8Watch Non-Western Stylized Traditional Makeup Videos!

[This page is part of a mirror of my Canvas learning system pages I created for my Drama 112 Intro Stage Makeup class at DVC.  If you want to use this content for another Canvas class shell you can find it in Canvas Commons by searching for “Tara Maginnis” and you can download all or part of this directly into your shell with all the extra cool formatting of colored divider lines, right side embedded Giphy animations, etc. already put in, if you are working with a different system, it is ok to copy and paste from here, and then customize the pages as you need  for your classes].

The Official Class How-to Video is a Multiple !?

Yep.  But they aren’t that long.  The main one is only 23 minutes and you can fast forward through a lot of it. The rest are all ultra fast forwarded to begin with:

More Videos You Might Prefer:

I have found a number of other videos of different sorts of traditional stylized theatrical makeup for different types of performance and different types of faces! Scroll down to see if you find any you think you’d like to watch!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TOe_X3dQx-o

More Traditional Asian Theatre/Ritual Makeup Videos

More Day of the Dead Makeup Tutorials (Link)

Go to More Pre-Columbian Inspired Makeup Videos (Link)

There are many other options for traditional makeup that there are no good videos for, but you can do original research in still images and videos of the completed designs, and use your common sense in learning how to replicate those as well.

Are you concerned that doing this project makes you feel like a Cultural Imperialist? 

Don’t freak out, European traditional theatre, festival masks, carnival & circus also have a bunch of non-naturalistic styles you can play with: 

European Traditional Masks, Makeup and Performance Playlist

Clown and Circus Makeup Playlist