Evaluation

Evaluation-

Wow! All I can say is that I’m so glad that I decided to change choices from Digital Beauty to Special Effects.

This unit has taught me so many things, and I love how the university has the choice of design of special effects makeup, along with prosthetics to create imagery for fashion led production.

My ideas have evolved throughout the unit, and my blog shows this. I started looking at tribes, and then I moved onto colour and realised that both of my final images would have to be colourful. Scarification is a big thing I have been looking at, and how it’s part of everyday life in a tribe, and also how people in today’s society get it done to themselves.

My first look with Soloman, was extremely difficult, and I have learnt that I need to practice a lot before hand, both with colour, and the gelatin. I was stuck between keeping the balls of gelatin white or to colour them, this is why my poor model was sat in the chair for hours, as I had to paint them 1 by 1. Sticking them on was also a tough process. Making sure every single ball is symmetrical on each side of the face was very frustrating, however I tried my hardest. It didn’t come out as good as I wished it did, but I am still very happy, and the image shows my hard work.

I have to admit, Ellisha is by far the best, and my favourite shoot I have ever done. She is the most amazing model, and working with her was a pleasure. I really enjoyed working with latex and fabric, and even though you can see in a few places where the latex is stuck, viewers are also focussed on the make up on her eyes and lips. The colours really suit Ellisha and her fierceness.

I was very lucky to have Kieran Le Vine in my final shoot, which was kind enough to lend me head garments that he has made himself by hand. They were beautiful and so delicate, and I hope I can collaborate with him in the future.

Overall, I feel very proud and happy with my images and progress. It was great getting mucky and trying new things with special effects, and I really have enjoyed this unit, and hope to develop my skills further next year. 

Technical File Sign Off

Other images from Ellishas and Solomans Shoot

Happy

I just want to post about how lucky i was with my models, and how pleased i am about how well my final images came out.
Poor Soloman sat in the chair for 6 hours. It took me forever to stick the Gelatin pieces on one by one, and he didn't complain once. I will have to practice on my time management when doing a shoot like this again.
Ellisha, well i can't explain how much of an angel she was. She is born to be a model, extremely photogenic, and such a great face to work with.

A few changes were made. I used liquid latex and fabric to make the pattern on Ellishas body, instead of airbrushing a template on. I thought the liquid latex was more involved with special effects, and also taking the risk of doing it there and then was a challenge, but i really enjoyed it, and was happy about how it came out.

FINAL IMAGE ELLISHA

FINAL IMAGE SOLOMAN

Tribal Paintings

Above is a painting i have done in oil paints. It took me forever even though it looks quick and easy. Oils remind me of Supracolour, they take forever to dry. Its a lot like my final look, with all the colours and dots.
Ive really missed painting, and now i have a much more positive look on my final image.

Kieron Le Vine

On my final shoot day, i was really lucky to have Kieron Le Vine in our technical lesson. Kieron is a graduate from Solent University, and gets most of his inspiration from nature. He told myself that when he is walking around parks and even on the streets, he picks up things from the floor that he thinks will work well in his pieces, e.g feathers, skulls and bones. He is such a genuine, lovely guy to talk to, and should be really proud of his work. Many of the items took ages to make, as there is such a high attention to detail. He let us borrow his amazing head pieces and jewellery for our images. Below are a few images of just some of his incredible work. In an interview for Spindle magazine, he quoted 

"humans intrigue me so much as well but particularly tribes, indigenous peoples and Shamans mainly due to their connection to nature."-Spindle, 6th April 2011, Kieron LeVine

His blog is amazing, and shows high amounts of inspiration, especially from his travels. http://itsfine-levine.blogspot.com

I have been in contact with Kieron, and hope that i also helped him achieve some great images to showcase his work. I would love to collaborate with him in the future.

References- 

http://spindlemagazine.com/2011/04/kieron-levine/

http://itsfine-levine.blogspot.com

Jan Schlegel

Jan Schlegel is a photographer i came across during my research. He has visited over 61 countries in his lifetime, regularly travelling to remote places, such as Africa and Asia, which are 'secluded from tourism of the western world. I love his images, as they are so natural and beautiful, and none are staged, and all 'captured in their own habitat. ' The only thing which is used on every image is a grey background, causing 'attention to the people, not on their living conditions'

As mentioned on his website, 'The basic message is the internal and external beauty of the pictured people, emphasising their uniqueness, their value and their irreparableness. He fights for the particularity and individuality of the cultures. 

He is such an inspiring photographer. He gets involved with the tribes, living their everyday lives, staying several weeks.

He gains trust with the people, to be able to create such a deep, intense and beautiful photograph. 

All images are from JAN C. SCHLEGEL website http://www.jan-schlegel.com/index.php. 

Nale, 18, Sure Tribe, Ethiopia.

Rendille Tribe

Katukula, 18, Himba Tribe, Namibia

Vivienne Westwood does Tribal

The 'glitter drenched warrior women' of Vivienne Westwoods A/W 2011-12, marched down the gold runway to I Will Survive, being smudged with warpaint on their faces. As you can tell, Westwood had a tribal motif running through her catwalk, with tribal print t-shirt dresses, and dramatic gold gowns; Being inspired by the world wide woman. 

References-

http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2011/03/05/catwalk-review-vivienne-westwood-a-w-2011-12/ - Catwalk Review, Libby Banks, March 5th 2011.

http://thecuttingclass.com/post/4002325777/tribes-westwood-owens-demeulemeester

http://ontrendtoday.blogspot.com.es/2010/07/modern-tribal.html - Modern Tribal, 30th July 2010.

Face Chart Ellisha

Face Chart Soloman

STORYBOARD 2

STORYBOARD 1

MOODBOARD

Below is 1 of my moodboards for Brave New World. As you can see it is focused on tribal, rather than special effects and body modification.

Body Modification-

studio-making of my own prosthetics

MAKING OF MY OWN PROSTHETICS 

As you can see below i used Gelglyk to create round individual pieces to place on my model for my final piece. 
A difficulty was that sometimes when i squeezed the bottle, air bubbles were made as you can see in the bottom right picture. 
I mixed the gelglyk with poster paint, however it became to sticky, and i came to the conclusion that i will have to paint every single one of them once stuck on the face. 
The photo on the far left is a blood colour gelglyk, and the bottom right is flesh colour. 
I followed the instructions from weeks 1/2 on heating the gelglyk, and had to keep reheating it to make it runny, however the balls came out better when the liquid was not too runny.
Below is the progress-

Implants and Scarification

Ive been researching a lot lately into scarification, and how in Africa, artists use the body as their canvas. It involves puncturing or cutting patterns and motifs into the epidermis of the skin. People in todays society place implants in their skin, don't ask me why, as i personally do not like it, but if they want to do it, they can. The thought of the pain they go through. Owww.

Belgium Congo- Gallery Ambre Congo- Photographer Unknown 

Bakutu Women - Belgium Congo - Photographer. C, Lamote - Ivys Albums

Body and facial patterns made it possible to identify one tribe from another. 

References- 

http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20Scarification.htm

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=body%20modification&rs=rs

Crossroads

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adriana-gerasimova-crossroads

Above is a link to Adriana Gerasimovas native inspired shoot, Crossroads. Trendhunter is a very good website, as it  gives you a wide range of images and information about others, which is great for inspiration. The use of colour and shapes helps me with ideas for my final image, and as mentioned before, I love colour.

Texture

FULLERS EARTH, GELATIN, LATEX.

Below is a picture of fullers earth on the head. It is a power mixed with water to create a thick paste, which can be placed on the body to create texture, almost like a second layer of skin. It also makes the face and body look dirty.
It goes on like a dark gray/clay colour, however when dried with a cool air, it becomes white, as seen in the bottom left of the picture.

• Test beforehand on the skin to make sure the model has no allergies
• While this product is generally safe, it does produce fine dust, so be careful with the eyes and respiratory system.

Gelatin-
You can buy gelatin from many cosmetic companies under the name of Gelglyk. It can come in flesh, dark flesh, or blood colours. It can be coloured ontop of, and items can be added to it, eg. colour, glitter, coffee, NO glitter in microwave.

• Heat the gelatin bottle in a bowl of water in the microwave for about 40 seconds until its become a runny liquid.
• Always check the temperature on the back of hand before use.
• Place in cold water to cool the gelatin down. 
• Do NOT heat up in anything metal.
• Removed with prosade.

Great for larger areas, prosthetics and burns
Special tools need to be used.
Texture can be made by placing layers ontop of each other.

Latex-
Liquid latex contains about one third latex and two thirds water.
It is applied using sponges and takes about 5-10 minutes to dry, depending on how thick it is applied. 
Shimmer powders can be dusted over dried liquid latex to create metallic effects.
It is removed by peeling off as water does not affect it. Care has to be taken when doing this.

• Test on the wrist as people are allergic 2 weeks in advance . Remove straight away if theres a reaction.

It can be used to make scars and gashes and added to tissue and cotton to create an even better effect.
It can also be placed on the lips to make them look really dry. 
It also can be used to apply crepe hair, to make wrinkles and fake skin. 
When dried it goes clear.
No moisturiser or anything used on skin before hand as it can stop it sticking.
Can be dried with warm hairdryer
Blend edges away with acetone. 
Stipple sponges can be used to make texture.

Tuplaste-

• Placed on clean skin.
• Excellent for making scars and cuts.
• Squeeze out , and can be manipulated
• When dry it can be powdered and coloured
• Can be brought from Kryolan.

Model 2- Soloman

Below is my model Soloman, who i shall be using for my image 1. He goes to Solent university, and i was lucky enough to have a friend who knows him, and also for him to accept being my model.
I have been told that he has really weird but amazing eyes, almost yellow colour, which is a bonus.
He also has really short hair, which will make things easier with the bald cap application.