To get some initial ideas, and to have a constant source of reference and inspiration, I created a pinterest board of makeups i found which I thought were relevant to my project. Link: https://www.pinterest.com/clairemaquillag/god-and-goddess/
Face Off
Many of the examples that I liked best came from makeups from Face Off. I like the level to which they incorporate prosthetics into the makeups. Although most were not intended for a 'godlike' illusion, many of them exemplify elements which I would like to include for my deities.
From my research, deities can come in many different forms. Trolls-like creatures appear quite a lot, and if the deity is not labelled as a troll/goblin/ogre then they seemingly have qualities that could be interpreted as such. Nymphs are a common one for the ground and water elements. I think fairies are slightly too magical for my project and don't qiute fall into the catergory of deities, but elements in these fairy makeups are very relevant to my project in other ways.
I think these troll makeups could just as easily be interpreted as god/goddess themed makeups inspired by elements. A troll is defined as 'an ugly, cave-dwelling creature, either very large or dwarf sized'. Obviously you wouldn't sculpt a troll to be beautiful, but troll-like elements could definately be incorporated into my ideas; maybe if the personality of my deity was destructive or evil then I could show that by making them ugly, large or physiognomically mean.
These makeups are from a 'mother earth' themed challenge. A lot of the ground themed deities i've found are often linked with ideals of fertility and protection which I think is where the term 'mother earth' came from - those motherly ideals. Some of the deities i researched also would morph from flowers, so the floral makeups here provide good inspiration.
Initial Inspiration
Faceoff Makeups (2012) Faceoff Season 4 Episode 3. [online image] Available from:http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-make-it-reign?id=14 [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
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Faceoff Makeups (2015) [onine] Available from: http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-beautiful-disaster [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
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Faceoff Makeups (2015) [onine] Available from:http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-troll-bridge[Accessed: March 14th 2015]
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Image 1:
This was a swamp inspired troll kind, although I think that he looks a lot more mountainous. I think the rock-like texture on his face is so realistic and well-sculpted. I thought if I were to maybe incorporate rock elements into my ground or fire deity then this would be a good point of reference.
Image 3:
Although I don't think this is a particularly successful makeup (because it appears quite basic and more cartoony than realistic) I think the lava/rock idea could be relevant for my fire deity.
Image 5:These works also provide a lot of ideas as far as costuming. Incorporating parts of the deities element into their clothing would be good. I think having a prop like a staff or crown also provides that sense of importance, giving them a higher social representation which is befitting for a god/goddess.
Image 1:
Fire themed fairy. The obvious way to represent fire in my deity would also be to sculpt flames , but I think this idea rarely works, as fire isn't opaque and has so much movement and tones, it would be like trying to sculpt water.
Image 2:
I do however like the ashy effect on the arms as a way to represent fire.
Image 4:
Flood inspired fairy. I really like the realistic natural elements in this makeup, as well as the textural finishes. Without sculpting water, its obviously still a damp, swamp themed piece, as the glossy finish implies wetness and the blue hints symbolise water.
Image 6:
Avalanche inspired makeup. I though this one could also be relevant for my water deity - the idea of the water being in the form of ice is quite an interesting approach, and ice translates better in a sculpt than trying to do water.
Faceoff Makeups (2015) [onine] Available from:http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-mother-earth-goddess [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
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Faceoff Makeups (2011) [onine] Available from:http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-year-of-the-dragon [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
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Image 1: Quite a different approach to the challenge compared to the other makeups. Reminds me slightly of the god Pan, a faun-like creature from Greek mythology who protected the forest. This makeup is the most derivative of the female form which the others have all utilised for this makeup.
Images 4 and 5: A tree-like approach to the makeup. I love the branched skirt. This is a more beauty based approach to the makeup. I think if i were to choose a more nympth-like woodland approach to my ground deity then I would like to achieve this kin d of aesthetic.
Images 14,15, 16 and 17: Floral based makeups which I think are very modern looking and interesting. Obviously costuming plays a heavy part in these makeups, but I think maybe fabricating pieces like these petals out of foam would be achievable.
Faceoff Makeups (2013) [onine] Available from:http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-dragons-breath [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
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Faceoff Makeups (2010) [onine] Available from:http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/photos/spotlight-challenge-water-world [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
Dragons have featured quite a lot in my research and often represented the elements in mythology. They are particulary popular in the Japanese pantheon, and i'm quite draw to the idea of creating a Japanese wind deity, because of their bright colouring and dragon-like features. I wouldn't have time to create many multiple pieces, but maybe I could create some kind of dragon-god hybrid. I would want to do something like these makeups, using mainly facial prosthetics.
Having not found many images of water-themed makeups, I was thinking I could maybe incorporate fish-like elements into ths water deity makeup to help convey the water. I think trying to sculpt water-like prosthetics is a bad idea which is probably why I can't find any examples of it, as noones done it. So I need to try and show water in other ways. Like i mentioned, I like the idea of doing this in the form of ice as a form of water, but this fish idea could also be an option.
Anthony's makeup (2010) [onine] Available from:http://www.specialeffectsmakeup.org/wp-content/gallery/special-effects-makeup-face-off/51843L.jpg [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
Again, as trying to create a fire prosthetic is a bad idea, I like this makeup as another way to represent fire within a makeup.
Maybe I could do a more volcanic themed makeup for my fire deity, as it would translate into a makeup better.
Nicole's makeup (2010) [onine] Available from:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/309341068126761366/ [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
Anthony's makeup (2010) [onine] Available from:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/309341068124960024/ [Accessed: March 14th 2015]
These are 2 of my very favourite makeups from Faceoff and I think either would work really well as either an air or water deity.
The pale blue/white colouring helps to imply these elements.
I think the makeup on the right is most relevant to my project as the makeup has a clear inclusion of Hindu influece, which is the only makeup i've found that has some kind of obvious link to a pantheon.
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