Valeriya Kutsan x Alexander Khokhlov x My final contemporary design.

Valeriya Kutsan is an amazing make-up artist from Russia who I have previously used in reference to my work on my previous art and design course. Whilst searching for some images of monochrome makeup that created illusion, I automatically thought of her work. I initially started to research this style of makeup because, as I started to self reflect and look back on my blogs I realised I hadn't spoken a lot about any sources, artists and images that reflect and describe the final monochrome makeup design I had made. So I decided to look on the photographer, Alexander Khokhlov's website where he collaborates with Valeriya Kutsan in a visual series called 'Weird Beauty and 2D or not 2D'. This series has some images I really admire and I feel are perfect to use as contemporary examples of the final make-up design I made.

Newton's Cradle
Alexander Khokhlov x Valeriya Kutsan.
Image sourced from Official Alexander Khokhlov Website.
http://www.alexanderkhokhlov.com/categories/shapes-and-illusions

The above image is called 'Newton's Cradle' created by Valeriya Kutsan and photographed by Alexander Khokhlov, this beautiful image is featured in the Shapes and Illusions section on the official website. I have chosen to feature this image in my blog and talk about it because, It is the main image I found that best presents a contemporary example of my final contemporary Elizabethan makeup design. I am unsure of the inspiration of the series of these makeup images but I admire them a lot. In this image the model appears to have makeup applied on her in a way that makes her blend in and form into her environment and the hanging objects beside her. Similar to my final design the makeup style is monochrome and the application on the two contrasting colors are very precise, exact and neat. Black face paint covers the models chest up to the neck and then neatly applied around the face and possibly the top of the head in a precise circle shape. I like that the white makeup applied on the model looks similar to the traditional Elizabethan makeup worn in the era and that the hair is also white not only the eyes and face, this makes the model look completely consumed in the color perfectly matching the objects beside her. Although in my contemporary design the black precise line of colour begins at the top of the lip and then covering the neck, the placing of the colour is very similar to mine, following facial features to decide how to create the final circular shape. After observing her precise shaping I have become intrigued as to how Valeriya created such a perfect circle shape, I created a stencil for my partner to use in our timed assessment so that it was much easier and even. In response to this I am going to try and contact the makeup artist in regards to this image and see if she can share her techniques with me.

Quotes.
Alexander Khokhlov x Valeriya Kutsan.
Image sourced from Official Alexander Khokhlov Website.
http://www.alexanderkhokhlov.com

This is another image featured on the official website of Alexander Khokhlov, in the shapes and illusions section. This image stood out to me a lot because of the vibrant, bright red colour that takes over the whole background of the image and then the bright pop, of white quote symbols. Like the image 'Newton's cradle' I think the makeup is created with body paint covering the whole of the models' chest upwards and then once again precisely filled in with a quote symbol over the face. I really appreciate the intricate and precise lines used to form the bottom parts of the quotes, as the rest of the quotes appear to be formed with a circular arrangement of flowers. Also I noticed that the quote on the second model appears to be carefully applied on the side of her face pointing perfectly in the exact direction of her jawline, framing the face. This makeup is very interesting and creates a lot of illusion, I feel that If I was to view it from a distance I wouldn't see the models at all. Because of this I felt that it was a really nice example to look at in regards of 'hidden symbolism' and meaning that we have been looking at in Elizabethan portraiture.

These are two images of my final contemporary make-up design that my partner created on me. In response to the assessment I felt very happy with the final outcome and think it communicates well what I wanted to as quite a few peers commented on my design saying it appeared creepy and scary.





Bibliography and References-
https://drscdn.500px.org/photo/105986803/w%3D280_h%3D280/57707372764ebddbc13805c5ead50b61?v=12
http://www.alexanderkhokhlov.com
http://www.alexanderkhokhlov.com/categories/shapes-and-illusions