Historical Image - Partner's design

My partner Lee-ann gave me detailed instructions, face chart and talked me through how she wanted me to create her look. She made it really easy for me to understand and I'm pleased with the outcome. I struggled with the hair a little as Lee-anne's hair is quite coarse and she had a lot of flyaway's when trying to curl but I think it turned out great. It also made it easier that me and Lee-ann had picked the same character so I already had a rough idea of how she wanted it to look.

Historical Image - my design

I created this design and wig based on a traditional 1930s woman. I wanted to keep it quite neutral as from the reference images I found this is how most women would look. My partner Lee-ann worked really well with me and created the look exactly how I wanted it and I'm really pleased. 

I styled the wig myself, I wanted the curls to look a little messy as she is a prostitute and wouldn't really have much time between sailors to fix her hair. I'm not sure if this came across or if it just looks like a badly done styling! Regardless I'm pleased with the results overall.

Anita Berber Look

These are the Anita Berber continuity images that I created, it was actually more difficult than I thought to get the hair and makeup done in such a short amount of time and I have to be honest I concentrated too much on the makeup which resulted in me having a rushed hairstyle that I'm really unhappy with!

I actually prefer the results of the first attempt I did, the eyeshadow is darker and the blush shows up a lot more on my phone camera! This is something I need to take into consideration next time. The brows are also a lot darker and thicker in the left image so I really need to pay close attention to detail.

Face Design choice 2

I came to realize that a 1920's eye was not as dark as i initially thought. The focus was more on the long eyelashes and cupids bow lip. Some women would line their eyes with black kohl and smudge it out onto the eyelid, green and turquoise were also a popular colour but more so for those that perform or for an evening look. 


I came up with this design after looking into some more iconic 1920's women like Clara Bow and Greta Garbo. The eyeshadow is a little more light but still has some definition with a darker brown in the corner and also making the upper lash line darker by "tightlining", which is lining the upper line of the eye with a pencil. 

I noticed a trend in a berry coloured lip rather than a postbox red so I decided to go with that. I want the eyebrows to be thin with a slight roundness too them as I don't want the look to come across too theatrical I want it to stay true to the era. I am still exploring the option of fake eyelashes without making them look too over top and keeping them as natural as possible.

Technical Post - Portrait painting with Supracolour palette

Products & tools you will need:

• Supracolour palette
• Sponges 
• Makeup brushes
• Spatula

Step One:

Start with a clean, dry face before you being any makeup application!

Step Two:

I found a sponge was the best way to apply the makeup to recreate this image in a dabbing motion as it gets an even coverage and it's easier to blend

Step 3:

Finish with a fixing spray to avoid smudges and transferring  

Initial face chart and hair thoughts

I got a lot of inspiration from this image of Jean Harlow (below right) as I love how dark her eyes are along with the dark red lip. I created the face chart below (left) based on this look but came to realize Harlow was from the 30's and cabaret is in the 1920's so more research of women from this era was needed! 

In terms of hair I found a wig that I thought would be perfect but as it's synthetic it would be too difficult to manipulate the hair into the finger wave that I want to do at the front and also it's pre- curled which is a bit of a cheat! Guess you can only try! A wig will definitely be the best option in order to get the colour that I want without having to dye my models hair!

Mood Board of Ideas

I put together this mood board to show my thoughts on how my character will look, what she will be wearing, accessories she might have and the scene she will be in. I originally wanted the hair to be curly with a finger wave at the front so the top left image I came across was the perfect inspiration for hairstyle I want to create. It's curly with a little bit of a frizzy texture to it, Kost's hair won't be perfect from going in and out of the bedroom all the time but it's still a little glamorous with the finger wave.

The lingerie and long dressing gown is perfect as between clients I think she would just throw on the dressing gown to cover herself up a bit when leaving her room, I see her as a smoking a cigarette with a long cigarette holder as she's leaning against her door frame waiting for her next sailor.