Face

[Stroodle]

Hey,

As most of you know, very new to this clown stuff and was wondering what tips you guys had about make up, what to buy, Where to buy it, what designs look good and what justs looks plain wrong on a face design.

Stroodle

[SillyWilly]

Hey Stroodle, I have always leaned toward the minimal make-up or Auguste clown as it seems less intimidating to the little ones, at least in my experience. I like the paintsmyself but mixed with the proper spray and powder to last and I suppose the grease make up was okay dpepends on the weather sometimes... I tend to lean toward mostly snazaroo, or mehron. I find that if you are more strong in intense colors, or the angles are a bit harsh on the lines and or full white face with large colorful areas, the smaller kids tend to shy away more so, as opposed to fine lines and not so boisterous noses and geatures where the face is friendly, sometimes even the deep tone wig colors tend to frighten them. Although, some kids are just afraid if you dress up brightly, so it's always a guess at best.
You have to try several faces at diffferent levels and colors till you find the one that you believe looks ight for you, follow the lines of the face and bring out your happy features as best you can, those are your friendliest features as well. You highlight those and will find the right face in there somewhere. It's really the personality behind the clown that is the true selling point tough, the person inside, no need for funny litle voices and all that stuff , your true clown will find it's way out... I hope that's a little helpful.

[tim]

You might find the book Strutters Guide to Clown Makeup helpful. It offers a lot of background and perspective, as well as technique tips.

That said, my recommendation is to keep it simple. Give it time to develop. Your first attempt probably won't be what lasts. In fact, it might be pretty horrible. That's alright. We've all been there. At least you are trying and working things out, finding what doesn't work along with what fits.

Follow the natural lines of your face. Study your face without makeup first. Move your muscles around. Observe where the creases are, where it moves. That's where you want to emphasize stuff. It is where your outlines or highlights might go. Understand that a clown face is not a mask but a way in which to communicate expression more easily and in an exagerrated manner to an audience.

Do something which fits YOU individually. Every clown is different. What works for someone else isn't necessarily what will fit you or your character.

Look at a lot of pictures of other clown faces. Just from observing these things, you will get good ideas to try out. Don't entirely copy anyone's face as it is their own, but it's alright to play around with elements of something which you see and like, making it adaptable to your own look.

Get some help and advice and feedback from others. What looks good to you might not to someone else. Or a more experienced clown may be able to offer simple tips for improvement. Even if you have no one locally to talk to, we are always certainly willing to help and offer constructive critique here.

Listen carefully to everyone's advice, then make up your own mind. There are a lot of opinions out there. There are even contesting rules for makeup competitions at conventions. Everyone has something of value to add. But, eventually, you just have to make up your own mind and do what suits your clown best individually. Every clown is unique and only you fully understand who your character is, what you are trying to do, and why it needs to be that way. Don't discard any heartfelt or experienced advice and feedback which people recommend. Learn and grow from it. But don't let that control you, either.

As for makeup which is available, three of the main manufacturers are Mehron, Ben Nye, and ProFace. There is also Jim Howell, which some people like for it's light textures. I'd stick with those brands as your safest bet. You should be able to obtain any/all of them through their websites, various clown suppliers, or at theatrical supply stores.

[Stroodle]

Wicked guys this is all really help ful stuff. So glad I found this forum now.