United Makeup Artist's Expo 2015

Last couple of weeks have been Easter Holidays and even though I had time off teaching (obviously the odd lesson to plan and the odd assignment to mark) I was busy with the freelance side of makeup artistry, from Wedding trials to designing for up coming events/demonstrations, its a continuing work schedule for me...and I love it!

One of the delightful days off was at United Makeup Artist Expo down in London which I attended this time last weekend. This was my second visit to the event and its still as awesome as ever!

I love going to this event as it really is tailored well for makeup artists in the industry, as well as the awesome stalls, makeup gurus doing live demonstrations and experts to talk to the event also holds multiple educational sessions in which you can learn new methods, skills, about new products etc by the industry experts! Learning from these artists is a dream come true for me and it really does inspire me to push my own skills and designs.

The company's that attended were (in my opinion) some of the top supply companies in the industry along with some of there expert artists on hand to help explain the new products as well as suitability of products for you projects.

At the PPI  booth there was the amazing makeup artist Kenny Myers (who has done the makeup for films such as The Prestige, X-men, The Return of Living Dead and many many more) doing a live demonstration. I watched for quiet a while whilst he create this amazing Troll/Orc style warrior. It was amazing!

 This was what was eventually created, however I was unable to take a photo of the finished look.

 

 PPI, Premiere Products is a brilliant effects company that supply a range of products; from bloods, skin illustrators, adhesives, Fleet Street products and more. They are based in American which is why I always go straight to their booth first...I would have to spend a fortune to ship there products plus a large amount cannot be shipped via airmail. If you have never heard of this brand I strongly suggest that you check them out!

One of the other artists there was Stuart Bray, who has an wicked website which teaching some methods of making prosthetics... http://learnprostheticmakeup.com/ its extremely useful website. He's work can also be seen in such films as Shaun of The Dead, Tv series Game of Thrones as well as Blade II and Tv series Dr Who.

Another Artist present was Shaune Harrison, whose Academy in Manchester is my current goal to go to...still saving those pennies. He was doing an awesome demonstration of a bird like hybrid, which was so popular I found it extremely difficult to get a clear picture of the making of.

 

Photo of the prosthetic by Shaune Harrison without any colour...

 

Finished character, how cool are the contact lenses!!

 

Full character, loved the beck piece. Looks amazing!! Seeing this makes me want to go to Shaune Harrison's Academy even more...I totally want to learn how to do this!!!

 

Some of the educational seminars included mainly SFX, but I did attend one by Kryolan, with the wonderful Leanne Simmons which was entitled "Special Effects meets Fashion" which was incredibly interest and has really inspired me.

The main focus of the session was showing how you can use special effects to create high fashion looks, for this demonstration Leanne's design drew inspiration from Tim Burton fantasy. She used a variety of techniques from bald cap applications, blocking out eyebrows, facepaints and blood. She also showed us an extremely clever use for gelatine (or gelafix skin by Kryolan) by creating 3D eye brows with it. Looked so effective!! 

 

 

How amazing is the overall look, to make it more impressive Leanne only had limited time to create it as there were a few problems setting up the room and getting the model  but she did amazingly well and I learnt a lot!

 

Like I mentioned before as well as the educational seminars there were live demonstrations from each of the booths with some amazing artists; from body art to fashion makeup as well as special effect characters. 

 

Kryolan booth had this toxic body art creating using the same gelafix method shown within the educational seminar. I love the 3D effect it gives!

 

I didn't realise it until the model turned around but there was a screen on his back which was playing Kryolan adverts...how cool is that!!

 

One of the other Educational seminars that I attended was one held by Brian Kinney who taught us about "Prosthetic Casting with Flat Moulds." He showed us these Hurt Boxes that he developed and created for fast creation of cuts, scars, grazes etc and they looked amazing! I really wish I could find the booth they were being sold at but alas I'll have to order it! 

 

I did have an awesome time at the event and bought some awesome things which I will be using very soon as well as doing reviews on them.

 

 

 As you can see its a good mixture of stuff! Which I can't wait to use.

 

Don't forget to take a look at my facebook page for more images from the event as well as more up to date posts on my crazy creative life as a makeup artist @Ruth.E.Moulden.MUA

 

If you want to buy your tickets for next years UMA expo; check out their website here: www.umae.co.uk 

 

Bye for now my lovelies,

 

xRx

 

Dangerous Beauty Workshops: Creative Makeup Class ... with horns!

Hellooooo my lovelies,

In this entry am going to talking to you guys about my recent workshop at +Blackburn College  with my wonderful level 2 Media Makeup students. As most of you know I teach part time at Blackburn College; covering Media Makeup Level 2 and 3 but every so often I like to go off curriculum and do a fun workshop class or demonstration of the things I love to do in my freelance life. These workshops were planned as part of the college's Industry Week in which people from industry come to the college and hold workshops....hence me doing my workshops!

So this workshop which I decided to name "Dangerous Beauty" (always have to have a theme from all my workshops...yes I know am a nerd!) and focused on using dramatic contouring and eye designs to create edgy pieces. I also decided to allow the use of my headdress for this workshop, my antler and roses one as well as my new rams horn headdress.

Headdress are a new thing for me, but I love being creative so why not! The rams horn one was relatively easy-ish to make but very fiddly do create.

As you can see a lot of wires to fiddle with, the bulk of the horns is made from an air drying putty but my previous "horns" have been made using an oven bake clay...its much lighter but either works.

 

I realised after I painted up the horns that I made one slightly longer then the other...ah well! Painted up using acrylic paints and a little varnish for a smooth/shine finish. I wish I more 'dangly' bits to add but this was all that was in the craft box.

So the workshop demonstration used a mixture of airbrushing techniques, prosthetics and manual makeup...I wanted to demonstrate the variety of skills learnt in Level 3 Media Makeup as well as how to cross over SFX into Fashion Makeup and visa versa...

 

The prosthetic used was just a flat mould textured piece that look like scales...which went with the whole demon lady look.

 

 

Airbrush based using the fantastic #Iwata airbrush gun, its my baby...I will admit am aiming to get an upgrade when I go to +United Makeup Artist Expo this weekend. The foundation used was #mistair which are a silicone based foundation, very light as I wanted the colours on top to pop.

 

Eye liner detail work using +Inglot Cosmetics  eyeliner gel.

 

 

Black eyeshadow by +illamasqua #obsdian This is the blackest of black eye shadows, fantastic to blend, beautifully dramatic. You want a true black eye shadow this is your product!

 

 

The manual contouring was done using +Sugarpill #burnheartpalette ... in particular the red which is called #+love Fantastic palette to do dramatic contouring with as its so pigmented and you can build the colour up so easily! Am pretty sure one of my first review blogs was one this palette so look back through time and check that out if you want more information on the product.

 

 

The colour airbrushing bits, red/black was done using MistFX Aqua paints which can be used alone for body art or mixed 1:1 with distilled water to run through the airbrush gun...which is what I did. The product is brilliant for work like this as it comes in a variety of colours and covers extremely well. No patches or flaking! One piece of advice however make sure you shake the bottle fully and mix the water to paint ratio well other wise you will get a blockage in your airbrush gun.

 

There is an awesome stencil for creating those veins on the neck buuuuut I wanted to demonstrate to the students free hand work.

 

 

Black lipstick by +illamasqua , one of my favourite lipstick to use as it looks beautifully dark and doesn't look patchy as some black lipsticks do ...

 

Studs were pulled out of headband...I tried to find lose ones at my local haberdashery but they didn't have any so, use what you can get....

 

And the final outcome....

 

 

I think it turned out pretty well...the headdress makes it along with those studs down the cheekbones and forehead.

 

 

I love airbrushing...I love mixing it up with manual techniques but the smooth application of the Mistair products looks amazing...my models skin looks beautifully smooth like porcelain.

 

I did another of these workshop with another group of level 2 Media Makeup Students, this time using a blonde model....

 

 

 

 I think both models suit it and am so happy with my new headdress...

 

Huge thank you thank you to the stunning models used...Amy and Simone, you both rock as demonic dangerous ladies!

 

For more photo's from the workshop check out my facebook page @Ruth.E.Moulden.MUA

Also check out my instagram and twitter for more up to date photos and happenings in my crazy creative world!

 

 

Bye for now!

xRx

 
 

White Walker / Ice Zombie Make Up Application

Check out my video of the application process of my White Walker character.....

White Walker Prosthetic

 This is a creation I've been hovering around completing for ages, its something that one of my friends from work challenged me to do and since Game Of Thrones is one of my favourite shows, I couldn't resist. The White Walker.
 
Once again am creating this with what I have, am not rich and am still saving up for my SFX courses which will show me the more advanced techniques. Having said that this is the first time I've attempted a full face which was quiet cool.
 
So it all starts with my initial design drawing, which took me a far while to complete with all them wrinkles and lines. I focused more on my skills in highlighting and shading with this one for obvious reasons...
 

 

Next, I started the sculpting. I'll admit after seeing this in the photographs, he does look like an angry White Walker...that's my creative stamp on the character. After all I don't like coping straight from the character, its got to have my own element to it.

 

 

Now time for the messy stage...casting!!!

For this one I decided extra strength was needed so I put plenty of plaster bandages around the sculpture so that it wouldn't crack when I released it.

 

 

The above image is of the mould with the gelatine material inside...I thought it looked like one of those optical illusions...is the face coming forwards or going backwards???

Am a geek what can I say!

 

 

I decided that because the White Walker is so detailed in colours/shading that it would be easier to paint up the piece first and add final touches when it was on.

I used Mistair FX airbrush paints to colour to piece and I tried to keep the colour palette to similar colours; blue. white and black.

I think I'll be investing in a new airbrush gun as mine is a basic IWATA but I think I need an up grade to one able to apply more detailed work. But am happy with what I did do.

As usual the airbrush application is always my go to for quick and easy application of the base colours; I then went in closer with a fine paint brush to add more detail work.

 

I also applied the crepe hair work before I applied the piece.

 

And there you have it....the final piece.
Its turned out pretty good and am happy with the overall look, as normal I can see areas that need work and development but that's a good thing cause that how I develop.

 

What do you guys think?

 

 
 Check out my facebook page for more images of the character...

https://www.facebook.com/Ruth.E.Moulden.MUA

Also check out the video on there....Video of the application (click here)

Next blog will be covering the Makeup Artist Expo in London which I'll be going to next weekend...eeeeeekkkkkk am very excited!!!

Bye for now lovelies...

xRx

Goblin Character

This is a really late blog, I did this look a few weeks ago but I forgot to put up a blog about the creative process I used.

Keep in mind am still working my skills on this area and it is something that I want do a course on, especially in using different materials such as silicone or foam latex but I use what I have and try to make it work! I feel like my skills are progressing well since I last did a gelatine prosthetic and my sculpting skills are also getting better which is always a plus.

So I begin with the design idea which was original meant to follow the theme of an evil goblin style character with occult style carvings in the face as well as a bald head, this was primarily so I can practice my skills in applying a bald cap.

My design idea was basic and to be honest a little rushed, I did some of it whilst I was waiting for my students at college and some whilst I was in-between workshops. It could be better drawn I know but I got the idea in my head and was eager to run with it. Also there are a lot of other elements to it such as teeth, horns, fingers and costume that I wish I could add but I don't have the budget.#

The sculpting went pretty well, I decided to try and create a wall around the main piece just so I could try to get the thinnest lines around the piece which will make it easier to apply and blend.

Pretty happy with some of the sculpting elements however I think my ability to build up the brow shapes needs work. Back to the anatomy books I go!

 

Next stage is the casing of the piece, I used some plaster bandages to reinforce the mould and ensure that if the plaster cracks then I've got some strength to hold it together with the bandages.

Again am using gelatine just because am still saving my money up for the prosthetic courses on foam latex and silicone prosthetics. Until I can raise this money I got to work with what I have. I would love to create something from foam latex or silicone but that’s in my future and this is the now.

The scars are little mini prosthetic pieces that I created using plasticine to sculpt the scars and then I put a silicone putty around this to create a mould. The silicone mould worked very well and was pretty easy to create and use. I picked mine up from Make and Bake…who supply cake moulds or icing/chocolate mould. Once these moulds were created then I filled them with gelatine and placed a sheet of baking paper over the top to create a nice flat surface for the when I come to apply the piece.

So all the elements were there for me create my goblin creature. The first step was the bald cap. The best bald caps that I have used to date are Kryolan's, I love the easy in blending the edges away by melting them down using acetone, it's so quiet and easy and looks smooth. I find  bald caps hysterical and I'll admit that I was crying with laughter when I  had applied this…I do not look good bald!!

After this I applied the prosthetic pieces, starting with the biggest main pieces and then adding the small scar pieces. I coloured everything using my airbrush, using Mistair FX water based colours. It worked well and I think my shading abilities are developing and improving with each character creation. My main colours were white and black but I think I could of used some blue tones just to create more of a cold feeling to the character.

Overall I like what I did and its definitely an improvement from my last character creation which makes me happy.

In my next blog am going to cover the crepe hair day with my level 3 students, they did amazingly well and I want to share the creativity with you guys!

Don’t forget to check out my facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Ruth.E.Moulden.MUA?ref=hl

Tumblr:
http://ruthmua.tumblr.com/
 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RM_Makeup

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/ruthemouldenmua

Don't forget to get your tickets for the +United Makeup Artist Expo , it's going to be an amazing weekend filled with professional artists for you to chat with and learn from not to mention many many stalls selling professional products, tools and equipment for all your makeup artist's needs!

Ciao for now my lovelies!

xRX

Creative Make Up Demonstration; "Warrior"

Last week I was a busy bee; doing creative fashion demonstrations as well as SFX demonstration with a variety of students from Blackburn College, from my fabulous media makeup students to hair and beauty students.

It was an extremely long week, but I got to meet a lot of new students and speak to those who were interested in joining my media makeup band of merriness. In this blog I’ll be covering my creative makeup session and what I created for the students which included the use of the headdress I created and spoke about in previous blog.

So the whole theme for this creative makeup demonstration was “Warriors”, I always like the creation of strong looking images using creative makeup techniques and figured that this would inspired the students to create and imagine. My design focused on inspiration taken from Japanese Theatre, Kabuki in particular as I absolutely love the masks worn. It’s an idea that’s been floating around in my head of a long time and I wanted to challenge myself with creating a headdress. The main inspiration for the headdress focused more on dark nature and creating a bit of a contrasted between the structured, edgy makeup design and the natural, almost softened effect of the headdress.

 

The techniques that I wanted the students to have a play with was primarily creating distinctive patterns using eyeliner, as it’s something that most students fear. I use several brushes to create the detail work; flat angled brush, thin round brush and medium round brush but it is up to you the artist to find a brush that you feel comfortable with using. In order to get the straight lines the main 3 lessons are use guideline dotes, use an anchor point created by your little finger and practice. It’s all about building your confidence and reducing that shaky feeling where you stop breathing when applying!

 

 

 

The base colours were applied using manual buffing of cream foundation mixed with applying airbrush, MistFX red. The reason why I used a mixture of the two was because only my media make up level 3 students are trained to use the airbrush equipment and so I wanted the other students to have a techniques that they can apply. I will admit I absolutely love airbrush application, it quick and creates a beautiful blended and smooth application. MistFX colour is a fantastic product for applying body art or creative makeup and it can be used through an airbrush gun (once mixed with distilled water) or manually. Therefore it’s a two for one sort of product!

As stated in previous blog entries, the headdress was created by moi, using wire to create a “hat” shape and creating horns and the bird skull using a clay putty that can be cooked in the oven to harden.

I held these demonstrations 4 times during Blackburn College Industry Week and meet a lot of lovely new people as well as using my own media makeup students as models…thankie guys! And hopefully I inspired some more creative make up applications and may be inspired a few students to join the media makeup course next year.

Next blog entry will be covering the SFX demonstration that I did for the Level 2 Media Make-up students.

Don't forget to check out more photographs of this demonstration and other character concepts via;  https://www.facebook.com/Ruth.E.Moulden.MUA