Clowns are a type of comedian who are easily recognized by their make-up, colorful wigs, funny clothes, and witticisms. Part of the process of becoming a clown is applying stylistic makeup. Each clown is unique, but there is only one method to apply makeup well on the face. To learn how to turn yourself into a clown, read on.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Classic Clown
Step 1. Draw the outline on the face
The classic clown par excellence is the circus one. Augusto (better known as Toni) has exaggerated makeup, is clumsy, awkward and uses physicality to make the audience laugh. For a Toni look, highlight the eyes, mouth and nose to the maximum with a black grease pencil.
- Draw two domes on the eyes. Start about an inch from the outer side of the eye, drawing a dome whose top ends between the eyebrows and the hairline, then go down to the inner part of the same eye. Repeat on the other eye.
- Draw an exaggerated smile on the lower part of the face. Start from under the nose and draw a line that curves under the nostrils, then continue on to the cheek. Make a sort of large circle on the cheek, then back towards the mouth until it reaches the other cheek, ending under the nose. The shape should look like that of a huge smiling mouth.
Step 2. Fill the areas drawn with the pencil with white
Using a make-up sponge, smooth out the white. The makeup should completely cover the eyebrows. Distribute it within the areas highlighted by the pencil so that they stand out.
- For a less traditional look you can use another color instead of white. Try yellow or another pastel shade.
- By using black, purple, blue and another dark color to fill in the outlined areas, you'll still get a dramatic effect. In this case you will have to reverse the color scheme to balance the overall effect and make sure that each component is clearly visible.
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Consider fixing basic makeup. You can do it with a theatrical powder and its feather: the powder makes the make-up last all day. Use a powder that goes along with the colors you choose.
- Put about a teaspoon of powder on the duvet. Beat both sides of the puff together until the powder appears to have disappeared, penetrating deeply into the applicator.
- Dab the puff on your face until the entire area is covered with powder.
Face Paint a Clown Step 3 Step 3. Use a black color to define the brows
Dip a brush in the color. Move the brush from the tip of the dome to the outer edge of the eye, up to the curve of the forehead and then go down towards the inside of the eye. Draw the line more or less markedly, depending on how you prefer it. Repeat on the other eye.
- Some clowns have a vertical black line that appears to cut the eye in half and ends about an inch below the lower eyelid.
- If you colored your eye dark, use white or another bright color to define your brows.
Face Paint a Clown Step 4 Step 4. Highlight the smile and mouth
Dip the brush back into black and this time create the exaggerated smile outline you outlined earlier. Draw a thick line around the smile, trying to make it symmetrical so that it has the same thickness on both sides.
Face Paint a Clown Step 5 Step 5. Color the cheeks, lips and nose
Use a clean make-up sponge to dab the red on the cheeks above the black border. Add some red to the tip of the nose as well. Once dry, add a second layer so that the color stands out. Finally, color your lips with a lipstick.
- Some clowns prefer black on their lips instead of red.
- If you want, you can wear a rubber nose but coloring the nose is fine too.
Face Paint a Clown Step 6 Step 6. Correct the imperfections
Look in the mirror. If you see any spots with smudges or irregularities, use a sponge with a little water to clean up the area. Blot the area with a towel and reapply your makeup.
Method 2 of 3: Clown to Subject
Face Paint a Clown Step 7 Step 1. Choose the character
Subject clowns are simple clowns that resemble exaggerated versions of people, accentuating stereotypes or emotions, like the classic "sad clown". You can also make one puzzled, angry, sexy, or even a doctor clown.
Face Paint a Clown Step 8 Step 2. Turn your face into a canvas
Smear a thin layer of white all over your face to create the foundation to work on. Use the make-up sponge to precisely distribute the white, even covering the eyebrows. Most clowns stretch the base all the way to the hairline, just behind the jaw line and in front of the lobes.
- Fix any errors in the base. Take a look in the mirror and do some retouching if necessary, always using the sponge.
- Remember to fix the base with the theatrical powder.
Face Paint a Clown Step 9 Step 3. Create exaggerated strokes
Depending on the character you want to become, apply different colors and draw the areas you want to stand out.
- If you will be making a sad clown, choose a color to highlight a wrinkle around the mouth that goes down to the chin. Often, these clowns color the lower half of the face and the area around the mouth black, indicating that they have not shaved.
- If you want to become a puzzled clown, draw a thick, arched eyebrow on one side and a normal one on the other.
- Sexy clowns have exaggerated lashes that highlight the eyes and use red to outline lewd lips.
Face Paint a Clown Step 10 Step 4. Each time you add color, fix it
Dab each colored area with the duvet to prevent the different matching colors from blending together.
Face Paint a Clown Step 11 Step 5. Fix the imperfections and fill in the holes
Double-check your make-up to make sure the colors don't melt or mix with neighboring ones.
Method 3 of 3: Pierrot
Face Paint a Clown Step 12 Step 1. Paint the face white
Pierrots are sophisticated, quiet clowns and tend to be elegant, with slightly hinted rather than exaggerated features. They look more like ghosts. Their makeup usually requires a totally white face and delicate colors. The first thing to do is therefore the base, covering the whole face in white, from the tip of the hair down to the chin, and from ear to ear. The eyebrows should also be covered. Fix everything with the powder.
Face Paint a Clown Step 13 Step 2. Highlight the eyes with black
Give them a sunken look by shading them with black. Outline the upper and lower lids, then apply black to the lids as well. Use mascara for your lashes.
Face Paint a Clown Step 14 Step 3. Paint small details black
Dip the brush in the color and draw a pair of eyebrows, angled down, about two inches from yours. These brows will give the clown a sad and serious look. You can use black to create other strokes, such as a tear running down from both eyes. Some simply draw a dot on both cheeks.
Face Paint a Clown Step 15 Step 4. Make your lips red
Use a lipstick or red color to outline a small mouth that is half the size of its actual size. You can also lightly blush your cheeks or make two defined red circles.
Advice
- Use two different types of powder for the base and make-up. When fixing the base, use the white one. For colored areas, use a neutral powder.
- To apply makeup to small areas, use a small brush or cotton swab.
- If you have a beard, shave off before putting on makeup.
