LAHS student uses an unusual canvas to pursue art
Post date: Feb 12, 2015 8:24:10 PM
By Amanda Passiglia
There are many artistically talented students around the school but how many of them use their bodies as the canvas? Kira Kuehner, a freshman, uses everyday objects and makeup to create magnificent special effects. They vary from horrifying to goofy, yet they always turn out amazing! The reason Kira started dabbling with special effect makeup was because a few years ago when she went on a Halloween vacation, she took notice to the various artistic effects on the characters and it really perked her interest. Being able to incorporate her body as part of her artistic style seemed extremely exciting and interesting. One of the best reasons to experiment with special effect makeup is because you are not required to stay in style. Inspirations can come from actual people, fictional characters, or even nature. Kira has created tutorials to help any new or experienced artists who want to give special effects a try. Below, read my interview with Kira and learn what drives her in this hobby.
What was the main reason you wanted to started experimenting with special effects makeup?
Mature reason: I’ve been very much into art for quite some time and i wanted to try the body as a canvas.
Other reason: Two years ago I went on a Halloween vacation and I took notice to the artistic effects of the characters and it really looked interesting.
Who do you look up to (for makeup)?I don’t really have one specific person to look to, I mainly just take character ideas that I find interesting, put my own twist on them and BAM.
I’d probably say the best experience while doing someone else’s make up would be when I created claw marks across my one friend’s arm and my parents panicked because they believed I did it as in created an actual wound.
Oh please… who needs to stay “in style”?
How to make "Crayon Face" (seen above):
Materials:
Standard set: Crayons (woah couldn’t have guessed), liquid latex, stage blood
DIY: Crayons, tissue paper, glue, Vaseline, red food dye or red lipstick
Optional: Eyeliner, eye shadow
***Optional for easy removal *** Prep: generic face wash, moisturizer
Tutorial:
Preparation-This step is optional. Wash face(or selected area) with a cheap or generic face wash, just to remove topical oils, dirt, or makeup. Apply a moisturiser to prevent sticking and staining.
-Take a handful of Crayons and break them in half to create the illusion that they are puncturing the skin. Set those aside for now.
-The “blood” will be made out of Vaseline with red food dye (or red lipstick) or simply store bought stage blood. Mix to desired effect.
-The “flesh” will be out of glue and tissue paper.
Steps-
Dip the crayon end into the “blood” mixture.
Hold the covered end to the selected area until it will stick by itself.
Take the tissue paper and lay it thin around the crayon.
Coat the tissue paper with glue, repeat this a desired amount of times.
Generously cover the “stab wound” with the blood used previously.
All done!
**Optional
-add red eyeshadow around would for infected effect
-add browns and blacks for dirt
Have you had any funny experiences while doing your own or someone elses makeup?
Does it cost a lot of money to keep up with newer trends or ideas?