Kids & Make-up

[Pickles]

Since I've returned from clown camp, my two youngest daughters can hardly wait to don a nose and wig. (I guess my enthusiasm is contagious.) Tonight they were begging me to work on their make-up.

I'm wondering, though, is it best to do a simpler face for kids? In the past, I have tried full clown make-up on kids, and it isn't easy. Any advice? I don't want to scare them with a laborious make-up application, nor do I want to spend hours applying it.

[Bookworm]

Thank for bringing this up Pickles. I've been wondering the same thing
and have been waiting for someone to answer this before i start my make-up.

[Scruffy]

Start them as Auguste'seseses. Or is it Augustenes?? Any way, For just starting out, Skip the flesh tone and use more rouge shading on the cheeks. That is what we have done with our three boys. For family activities, and not formal COAI judging,no one seems to know the difference. And, The kids love it!
Cheers,
Scruffy

[pixcoco]

I have taught creative arts camp for yeaars with 8-12 year olds.
How old are your girls pickels? I find the clown character will come out even in a younger child. Maybe even more in a younger child. We would have several girls who just had to be white face. And they did a wonderful job of it. I think any younger than 8 and I might be difficult. I think we even had one boy white face. No one ever complained about it being harder.
I discourage tramp unless it is obvious the child is nothing but. My own son went that way at age 5. He was silent and it worked for him. Later he changed to white face and eventualy auguste. The percentage of tramp clowns is small.
My older one started as auguste at age 10. He tried white face later but it just wasn't him.

So I guess I am saying it is as individual as the child. Just like with taller people. But I have found that any younger than 8 takes a great deal more effort.

By the way, one of my first year white face 8 year olds grew with the program until she became a teen helper. her parents said the clown thing changed her life. She went from a painfully shy child to one who sang solo in church.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Scruffy

Start them as Auguste'seseses. Or is it Augustenes?? Any way, For just starting out, Skip the flesh tone and use more rouge shading on the cheeks.

That's what I suggested, but the little one wants to be a white face so she can be superior to her mom.

[tim]

I think you can keep it fairly simple no matter what the particulars. White face doesn't have to be hard and it's what a lot of people associate with clown initially. One could do a lite auguste. And a full auguste could be kept fairly straightforward. Just see where they are drawn and help draw out their natural ideas, directing them towards good application technique.

[tim]

Originally Posted by Bookworm

Thank for bringing this up Pickles. I've been wondering the same thing
and have been waiting for someone to answer this before i start my make-up.

For you, a similar suggestion (but a different game, since you are old enough to learn anything you like and have some theatrical background already.) Basically, what you want to do is start thinking about character. And you want to explore your face. Go to a mirror. Move your face, your eyes, mouth, ears. Watch how it moves and where it goes. Where are the natural lines of movement. That is where the makeup goes. Now back to character. Your face is not a mask, but an expression of yourself enlarged. So think about how makeup can help accent and bring out the kind of character and expressions which you wish to communicate with your clowning. Then just try stuff. Experiment. See how it goes. Some things may work, others won't. Every application is a learning experience. If you want to not even try it on your face first, then take a picture of yourself. Print it out. Put a clear plastic sheet over it and draw designs to see how it could look on your face.

A book which I recommend (that you might find through the library, even) is Strutters Guide To Clown Makeup.

[Nettie Belle]

To me, white face is easier to put on. It's almost like putting regular makeup on. My granddaughter, who will be 7 in a couple of weeks, has been putting her makeup on (white face) for awhile now. I told her that in order to be a "real clown" she would have to learn how, and she did. I had to help her with the details, but for the most part, she did most of it. It's harder to get it off, though.

[Scruffy]

Originally Posted by Pickles

That's what I suggested, but the little one wants to be a white face so she can be superior to her mom.

Go with a spandex hood. It at least saves you from doing the full neck and ears. How old is she? Is she old enough to do it herself?

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by pixcoco

How old are your girls pickels?

They are 8 and 11. They've clowned before, but never in make-up. The 14-year-old has done the whole bit with make-up, wig, and costume, but now she is just way "too cool" for clowning and wants absolutely nothing to do with this.

My clown friend "Zelda" (I'm trying to get her to join the Forum) is a terrific seamstress, and she said she would help me with their costumes.

Thanks for your advice, guys. I've felt a little sad in recent years that nobody wanted to clown with me, so I'm excited about the possibility of this. I'll let you know how it goes.