So Much Crafting, Prosthetic Makeup and a whole load of designing!

This week has been a whole load of crafting in preparation for the Comicon's coming up this year. Its been a lot of learning, trial and errors as well as a whole load of ordering material...and I would be lying if I said that I was loving it! Crafting and designing characters has always been so therapeutic for me, I can just focus solely on my creations and (for the majority of the time) forget about the chronic pain stuff.

So last blog I showed you a sneak peak of the chest piece that I was working on but not the final piece. So here it is....

I have to say for my first chest piece/armour piece, I don't think I did that bad. I definitely learnt some lessons with it and my next one I think am going to try out a different material.

This will be available for sale at Preston Comicon and if it doesn't sell there then it will be available at Blackburn Comicon. If anybody reading this is interested then send me a message, I can hold on to it for you to collect at the event.

The other items I've been working on to sell is another arm piece, which I can't remember if I've talking about this one with you guys or not but here it is....

 Now this piece am super proud of...and yes this is also for sale.


Makeup wise, its been a bit slow because I've been wrapping up with my teaching work last week. 
I posted the makeup tutorial video on the HUDA beauty palette which I got a lot of nice attention from.

I love this palette though, its so pretty the metallic, matts and shimmers in all those luscious oranges, yellows and reds...lovely warm colours. Warm colours aren't a normal style I gravitate towards but with this palette I love them.
I haven't bought much from HUDA beauty in the past but I think I may be buying more in the future...well when I make the money back that I've spend on all that crafting and fabrication!!!

This weeks YouTube video going up will be a prosthetic makeup one...yes its the one I gave you a tease of in the last blog.

There are going to be more images of this look going up on my Instagram and Facebook page (@Ruth E Moulden MUA) so make sure you are following me on there!!

But back to the look, so with this look for some silly reason I decided that I would try apply on the hottest days ever!! I mean I had sweat dripping all over!!! 

But I did it!! It wasn't the cleanest application I have ever done but it was a good application and am pretty sure I have the amazing adhesive Snappy G to thank for that one!!

If you have never heard of Snappy G, its an awesome silicone adhesive from https://www.neillsmaterials.co.uk which works wonders of staying powder and using it under some stressful...sweaty situations!!

 The look is created with two silicone prosthetics created by moi using EcoFlex and Stuart Bray molds, the brow piece and the mouth piece. 
Both of these pieces will be available to buy at both the Preston Comicon and the Blackburn Comicon. If your interested in buying let me know and I'll hold them for you to collect and pay at the event.

Because am now officially on my holiday's from work, I have plenty of time to plan and design stuff so along with the work for the Comicon's that am doing I also have two other events that am planning to attend.

One being a competition and the other a music festival that I regularly help out at. I think for this blog, I'll tell you about the music festival cause I need to sort somethings out regarding the competition before I official state am competing!!

Confessional is the name of the music festival and I have been for the past 3 years I think, with a stall applying themed face painting and glitters. The themes have been some awesome ones in the past such as David Bowie were I was applying Ziggy lightening to people. As well as the awesome themes, the whole event is in an abandoned/disused church which gets all fancied up. The event typically starts at 4pm and runs till midnight with loads of live bands playing and a DJ set based on the theme that year. Some of the bands that I've seen there have been Cabbage, Amber Arcades and Bang Bang Romeo which are all awesome local or indie bands.

This years Confessional's theme is "out of this world" with a kind of 80s B rates Sci-fi feel and will be held on 8th Sept 2pm-midnight (yay longer then last years festival!) at Holy Trinity Church and will feature bands such as Mold, Fruittones, The Ninth Wave and more!
I will be there of course with my right hand lady and another ex-student (who am yet to ask if she wants to do it!) and we will be offering face painting/glitter and new for this years festival face gems. So get your tickets ----- https://www.facebook.com/confessionalfestival

So my beautiful people, plenty of events that I will be attending so make sure you come along and say Hi to me!!!

Don't forget that Thursday I will be uploading another tutorial video (Demon prosthetic look) so make sure that you are subscribed to my YouTube Channel ----- https://www.youtube.com/user/RuthMouldenMUA

And check out my other work on 
Facebook --- https://www.facebook.com/Ruth.E.Moulden.MUA, 

Instagram --- 
https://www.instagram.com/ruthemouldenmua

Twitter ---  
@rm_makeup

Till next time, Muchos Lovous.
xRx

Voodoo Tribal Queen

I was asked to do a live demonstration for a +Habia  event at +Blackburn College  to demonstrate the skills that I teach as a Media Makeup Lecturer but also as a freelance makeup artist working in an ever changing environment.

I really wanted to demonstrate airbrushing skills as this is an area that is frequently developing and is a skill that can really boost a character creation. Also I haven’t created a headdress in a while so felt like a challenge.

This character focused on tribal styles and had a voodoo influence using lots of feathers and skulls as well as block colours and shapes.

 

The headdress was a lot of fun to make! Skulls are incredibly recognisable and one shape out of place or one cheekbone too high and it throws the whole piece out. It was sculpted out of Sculpt Clay which is an oven baked clay and it took about 2 days to complete this because I needed time to look at the sculpt and then take a break to come back to it with fresh eyes.

 

 

Creating the costume accessories, I wanted to try my hand at creating a feather collar/shoulder pads to relate to the tribal aspect of the character. I used old shoulder pads from a jacket and glue gunned feathers (from +eBay …where would we be without this marvellous online shop!) My colour scheme was black, pink and red…I seem to have a love for red and black at the moment and I think it’s due to how well they stand out when used together.

 

 

For this look I did a test run on myself, this was mainly because I was a little bit nervous about this demonstration to industry experts and salon owners and I wanted to physically plan out the application.

 

 

I'll be honest that I did go a little bit off design with this test run on myself and added a lot of extra bits. I think it worked for me but on my model I had to adapt it also this took too long for the demonstration and I really wanted to empathises the strong bone structure of my model.

 

 

I felt the demonstration went really well, I started it with a glamorous makeup demonstration applying everything with airbrush makeup only (foundation, eyeshadow, contouring,). I used my +Mistair airbrush gun and silicone foundations as well as my Iwata compression and a back up airbrush gun for the water based products to be applied with.

 

 

Unfortunately, I didn't get photo's of the finished look for this one because Amy my fabulous model had to go into the salon next door to be the model for the hair-up demonstrations.

 

 

The creative makeup demonstration I also felt ended up being successful and everybody who came by seemed to learn something from the session, so yay me!

I will admit sometimes at these demonstrations I go a little off topic...in this demo I talked about how airbrush can be used in cake decorating...true fact but not really related to makeup!

 

 My model was perfect for the look because she has such fantastic cheekbones and bone structure that I could really chisel out and emphasis further.

 

 

The products that were used for this look included +Mistair MistFX body art colours which I absolutely love. I have the travel pack which contains a selection of colours rather then the larger bottles but am pretty sure I will be investing in them soon.

I purchased my travel pack when I attended +United Makeup Artist Expo but you can buy them from +Face Paints Direct for a great price.

 

I love this product because you can use it from the body and paint straight onto the face but then you can also run it through the airbrush gun mixing a little distilled water. The colour is buildable and very pigmented allowing you to have block colour or wash of colour very easily.

 

 

I am very happy with how this character has turned out and am pleased that the costume part and headdress complements the makeup well. I have found that the extra elements really do help the concept come together which am hoping my students will take on board when they are designing their makeup/sfx characters.  

 

 

 

So there you have it, a successful HABIA demonstration done and a voodoo queen created.

 

There will be a YouTube video soon but at the moment am currently in Burton Upon Trent and so I don't have my video editing software.

 

If you head over to my Facebook page: Ruth E Moulden Makeup Artist there are more images from this event.

Don't forget to like and follow for more updates of my crazy life as a makeup artist!

 

My next couple blogs will be covering IMATS event as well as my Voodoo King who complements this character perfectly, used for a demonstration at the New Students Day held at +Blackburn College 

 

Bye for now 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

 
 

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

Evil Goblins and Antler Headdress...my my I have been busy

I haven't posted in ages! Its been such a busy month, with so much happening with my students and with my little projects, crazy days my lovelies!

First off my fantastic media make up students will be competing in the Blackpool AHT's on Monday 3rd Feb, I have some entering team bridal, face paint, Avant Guard Hair and body painting and I am almost 100% certain I have several winners. This is the first year that I've been put in charge of it along with my multi-tasking wonder that is Kim, so fingers crossed we even get to the place its being held!!

I have been busy with my SFX and casting work, this month, which is going to creep on to next month's creature feature, is an evil goblin, that has a strange look of David Bowie when he was in the labyrinth. I have all the elements casted and prosthetic's made but am contemplating whether or not to make rams horns....and whether or not to save the look for a demonstration am booked to do.....decisions decisions! Well anyways...here is what I've got so far.....

I will be posting a full detailed blog about this creature once its all done and applied, but for now enjoy!

In others news, I've had this strange desire to create a headdress....so that's my second project of the month. A headdress. With antlers, a bird head, roses and some feathers....So far I have the antlers....which are now painted black.

And I have a load of foam roses, feathers and wire.....

And a bird skull that I made....

And fingers crossed altogether it will made a cool headdress...we hope!

Some time during the beginning of February I shall be being taught how to create a hair weft, which am excited about! So I'll be posting a blog devoted to that event soon.

This blog seems like just an update of events of January but next months blogs will be full of more step by step guides and the such, so stay tuned!!

And don't forget to check out my facebook page for more images of work, oh and I have recently got a Tumblr page up and running if you want to check those out....

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

http://ruthmua.tumblr.com/

Bye for now my lovelies...

x Ruth E Moulden Make Up Artist