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Makeup Worksheets

In academic makeup classes, many instructors require their students to create makeup worksheets before class to use as a guide when applying their makeup in class. The makeup worksheet is a very useful pedagogical tool because it helps the student think about the process of makeup design and it helps them plan his or her makeup application.

The makeup worksheet can also be a useful tool for the amateur or professional actor. If you are going to be applying a corrective makeup, and you are well-practiced at that, you may not need a Worksheet. But if you are using makeup in any other way—for example, to create the appearance of age, or to manipulate bone structure or cartilage—you may Want to make notes on a worksheet beforehand. If you are performing in a production in which your makeup has been designed for you, the designer may either teach you how to apply your makeup while you take notes on a makeup worksheet, or they may have already created the worksheet for you.

There are several different types of worksheets. There are pre-made worksheets provided by manufacturers of cosmetics and some you can find in other makeup textbooks or from theatrical makeup manufacturers. While these are convenient, they are only moderately helpful. The major problem with a pre-made worksheet is that the shape and proportions of the face and features are "one-size-fits-all," but never really fit anyone. It is much more beneficial, and accurate, to make your own personal worksheet using a photo of your own face. It is also relatively easy.

Start by having two pictures taken of your face; one from the front and one from the side. Your hair should be pulled off of your face (use a headband if necessary) and you should not be wearing any makeup.

MAKEUP WORKSHEET

Generate an instruction grid that includes the following section titles:

Put the instruction grid together with your front and side view facial photos. You can either do this all on the computer or, if you are not very techsavvy (like me) you can use glue or tape. Print or photocopy several so you will have them handy when needed.

Now you are ready to draw the makeup design on the worksheet. For this example I will be creating an old age (75) makeup for a 25-year-old actress. The first thing I will do is collect visual research of women within that age range and within the same ethnic group (Caucasian). In particular I will look at pictures of both her maternal and paternal grandmothers taken when they were in their seventies.

VISUAL RESEARCH

Once you have your research, you can use pencils in the colors of your base, highlight, and shadow to render the design onto your photo. Doing this is almost exactly like applying makeup to your face—just follow the directions in the earlier chapters. If you can apply makeup, you can render your design on your worksheet.

MAKEUP RENDERING ON PHOTO

The next step—one that I use with my students to help them translate from rendering to application—is to cover your rendering with tracing paper and draw what I call the road map. The road map is a plan of the application of the makeup. It shows the shape and placement of each swath of makeup as well as showing which edges are blended out and which remain hard. It is very helpful in reminding you where to leave room between your highlight and shadow (most places) and where to place them side-by-side (nasolabial folds, etc.)

While you are drawing your road map, write your application instructions in the instruction grid.

If you are skilled with technology you can do this whole process on the computer.

"ROAD MAP" WITH INSTRUCTION GRID FILLED IN

MAKEUP DESIGN BY CHARLES V. FISHER

MAKEUP DESIGN BY MALLORY MARIA PRUCHA