Friday 8 March 2013

EVALUATION 

Over all I was really pleased with both my character concepts for Estella and Miss Havisham. I felt sourcing research from a variety of different areas help me to develop strong and individual ideas to base my perception of each character on. 
Although after completing my PowerPoint and presenting my ideas and final looks it became clear that my breath of knowledge and design research has not been fully reflected in my final outcomes. I feel this could have been improved by focusing on finer details more with in my looks. For example, small sections of my model representing Estella's hair was bleached. This was not historically correct and should have been covered. 





PHOTOSHOOT - MISS HAVISHAM 






FINAL DESIGN IDEAS

 HAIR 
Ÿ Texture large barrel curls creating a once strong structure hair style.
Ÿ Loose bits of hair
Ÿ Crape hair to add texture and volume.
                 
MAKEUP
Ÿ  Highly contoured  
Ÿ Liver spots
Ÿ Discoloration
Ÿ Dry areas
Ÿ Signs of aging
Ÿ Overall deterioration

  STYLING 
Ÿ Discolored and worn wedding dress.
Ÿ Coffee stained and ragged.
Ÿ Old dry flowers from her wedding day give a hint of the once beautiful woman she was.

HAIR DESIGN
Adding a vale to the hair will add style and interest to the look. It also represents the fact Miss Havisham has never moved from her wedding outfit. The roses in her hair will be discolored and disheveled. I want her hair style to look very unkempt and her hair to appear dirty. To achieve this I'll use crimping irons to add texture and volume before placing in a traditional style. After I will tease the hair out, completely deconstructing the style that she once would have had. 

MAKEUP DESIGN
From the tests I undertook during my design development I have created a template which I will use as a guide when making up Miss Havisham on shoot. Using a nude liner i will subtly bring out the natural lines underneath the eyes and around the mouth. This small amount of aging will help the audience to recognize she is still a middle aged woman around 40. Using contour across the cheek bones, forehead and eye socket's I will enhance the depth of her face giving the appearance her features are sunk in and that she no longer has a full youthful face. Choosing a model with a natural strong bone structure was essential as this allowed me to further enhance the structure of her face effectively giving the audience a hint of her previously beautiful face. 
SHOOT PREPARATION
- Coffee stain fabrics to create costuming
- Prepare faux flowers for hair styling
- Tease crepe hair to add to hair structure    

Thursday 7 March 2013

STORY BOARD


This story board is a visual representation of my final concepts for Miss Havisham's character. I've included images of old roses which symbolize her transition from beautiful bride to a destroyed woman with nothing left but the ghost of a once beautiful bride. 
ŸSkin showing signs of mistreatment and neglect for years. Ÿ Lost in her memories in a completely manic state.


CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 
I want to stay away from ageing my Miss Havisham extensively and focus on her beauty and passed. At the beginning of the text I see her at the age of around 40, all though she had been through years of pain and heart break I don't feel she would be covered in wrinkles. The skin would have started to droop slightly and her features would have become dark and sunken.
This painting above of a young heartbroken bride displays some of the main characteristics I want to include within my character. Her body has become slightly gaunt and her bones are more prominent  Her skin tone is very dull, which would be the effect of never seeing the sun light. 
I have sketched out this in response to my previous research, highlighting key areas I want to include in my final look. Her face is dull and her cheek bones very prominent  This would be a result of not eating properly for many years. Her skeleton has started to become more and more visible as the years go by. The BBC series version of Estella has also influenced aspects of this drawing, such as the loose unkempt hair. Her once beautiful wedding hair style would have completely deteriorated due to years of sleeping on it. Little of the original style would be visible.   

SUPER 8 - MOVIE

These images portray a young girl that has become 'undead'. I was particularly draw to the makeup in this 2011 film due to its subtle effect. Often makeup artist create zombie's with large scars and blood pouring from their mouths, I feel this is a really unusual take and gives a good impression of slow deterioration of the skin and facial features. Although Miss Havisham is not a zombie in many ways she acts like one - through out the novel it is clear she does not want to live and even starts to believe she is no longer alive. It's almost like she is the transition between life and death, much like a zombie. 

INSPIRED TEST MAKEUP
This is a visual interpretation of my ideas so far, inspired by my initial research and character development. I want Miss Havisham to appear almost as if she is un dead. Her skin to be dull and lifeless. Her eyes have become sad. I want her to appear completely lost to the audience, facial expression is key to creating this. Below I have experimented further with creating a solemn  depressed feeling to my character. Highlight the cheek bones really brings out the fact she is beginning to waste away, yet also adds a sense of beauty as high cheek bones have always been seen as desirable.   

I also used dark eye shadow across the shoulder blades and neck to add further contorting, highlighting her frail stature. Using a small amount of old age stipple I added texture to the lips, this created a dry damaged appearance which would have been caused by ill health and malnutrition. 




HAIR STYLING 
The era was all about extravagance especially within upper class society. From the beginning of the project I began to research into hair styling during the Victorian era, looking at books and paintings helped me to grasp an idea of the traditional styles worn during this time. Above are 3 test hair styles I created for Miss Havisham's character  although I feel they are all to published  I want my final look to be deconstructed and show the audience how unkempt Miss Havisham is and how little she cares for her appearance as well as giving a subtle hint to her old wedding style that has fallen out over time. 


This is a beautiful yet disturbing bridal painting that I feel displays some of the key features I interpret Miss Havisham to have.They is a strong sense of pain and the bride looks very disconnected with the world. Very much like Miss Havisham, who has completely lost touch with the outside world. Her world has become entangled in the pain and sorrow of her wedding day and focusing on getting pay back towards men through the manipulation of Estella. 
The bride in this painting seems as if she is fading away. Her dress no longer looks new and beautiful. The dull colors reflect the overall sadness of the image. 
Sometimes Miss Havisham can be perceived as more of a monster than anything else, but in fact she is victim of  punishment and heartbreak. The eyes are intense in this image, an important feature on anyone they allow you to see with in. Although on the outside she may appear to be this hard, callus, manipulative character if you look into her eyes I want the audience to get a true sense of her suffering and anguish. 


Looking back at what Miss Havisham would have been like on her wedding day is an essential key to developing her as a character. Although she was never to marry, her entire life is based around that one day. She has made it as though time has stood still, she is desperately grasping on to those happy memories she once has. 
This portrait depicts a young Victorian bride. She is beautiful and looks so innocent, I imagine Miss Havisham to have once been this way. Although I want to portray her as a woman that has completely deteriorated I also what to capture the beauty she once had. As I believe time could never destroy that character she was before, when she was young and in love. 
The fabrics used for this brides outfit are beautiful and luxurious. Miss Havisham was and still is very wealthy. Her wealth would have been demonstrated through her wedding dress especially. 






    
  
After completing my initial research into Miss Havisham's character my initial interpretations of her including desperation and deterioration. This sketch captures how over time her skin will have withered, much like the dead roses I focused on previously. Her once beautiful exterior has vanished and all that is left is a weak unkempt face. I imagine her lips to be dry and cracked after years of living in very poor conditions, trapping herself inside away from daylight and fresh air. She has no care for herself or her appearance  She feels as if she is dead and nothing more than a corpse. I feel it is important to capture this but it is important to consider her state of mind, which is quite delusional. Although she may feel like a corpse she wouldn't completely look like just skin and bones as she is still alive. 


TEST MAKEUP 

Using a supra color I have created a more subtle version of the sketch I created above. I feel I have been able to successfully capture the pain and deterioration of Miss Havisham. Being mentally unstable she would often not sleep, this would lead to dark circles under the eyes. Years of sadness and distress would also have lead to her features being more sunk in and defined. Applying white skin base on to the lips highlights the cracks and creates a dried effect. 


OLD AGE STIPPLE (KRYOLAN) 


Miss Havisham is often referred to as quite aged and withered. I felt it was important to test some different products to create an aged look on the skin. The first one I used was Kryolan's old age stipple. Overall I was quite disappointed with the effect I could achieve with this product. I felt the coloring was very yellow, and it was hard to achieve a skin match even after covering with my camouflage pallet. Although I did like the texture it created when the skin was gathered together and dried. 


BEN NYE WRINKLE STIPPLE



I was alot more impressed with the results when using Ben nye's wrinkle stipple. Layering the product allowed me to achieve a workable base that could be manipulated to create really deep set wrinkles and scars. The product was also translucent making it a lot easier to match the skin tone and for the wrinkles to look realistic.When working within TV and film product choice is key, as it is essential that the audience are unable to detect any special effects or makeup on the characters, especially on HD TV. 
                                                             
MISS HAVISHAM 
"Gathered around my corpse waiting to feed on me"


To start my initial research into Miss Havisham I have started by analyzing different visual interpretations of her character.The BBC series in particular stands out to me. This clip above demonstrates Miss Havisham as a character  You can clearly see her desperation and depression. Many people assume Miss Havisham to be just an old lady that has hidden herself away for many years. This version truly captures her insanity that is over looked in some of the other versions, although I feel her insanity is the key feature in the whole of the story. The way she is depicted contrasts strongly against Estella. You can really see the sadness and devastation in her eyes. 

Miss Havisham

This image, off of Pintrest particular caught my eye. Although it is useful to see the way other designers have interpreted the character of Estella for film and television I feel looking at other art based representation are a good way to look at her visually from a different angle. This image is graphically produced and really depicts Miss Havisham as a lost bride, she almost looks like a puppet. Her limps and stiff and her surroundings are lifeless and decayed, much like her as a character. I feel this styling of this image works well, her dress is tatty and withered, although in my opinion her hair is to perfect considering she has meant to have slept in it year on year. 
This sketch is a visual impression of Miss Havisham. Her dress displays the extravagance of upper class fashion during the era. It is important to remember that Miss Havisham has never moved from her wedding dress. Years later it would be incredibly dirty and deteriorated. Her large stiff vale really stands out behind her hair. I feel this gives the audience a sense of her insanity. 




MOOD BOARD

- Withered exterior appearance 
- Decaying flowers (mirror her as a person) 
- Life focused around her wedding day 
- Heartbroken and lost 
- Unkempt 
- Dirty (no care for her appearance or living environment) 
- Nothing to live for but her adopted daughter Estella 
- Solomon and depressed


WITHERED ROSES

Miss Havisham was once an incredibly beautiful wealthy young girl. Since the day of her wedding, when she was jolted at the alter her beauty has deteriorated and all that is left is the 'ghost' of a bride. Roses are extremely beautiful and delicate flowers. Over time they wilt and die. Their once flawless appearance is no longer there and they appear withered and old. I feel the death of a rose is much like Miss Havisham's personality. The rose also represents part of her wedding day, there is nothing left but a dry, dead, shell. Rose's are also very fragile and easily destroyed. The way Miss Havisham has never got over her heartbreak suggests that she was a very weak young woman, unable to come back from being broken, much like a delicate rose.


Monday 4 March 2013

ESTELLA CHARACTER LOOK 



These are my final images that capture my interpretation of Charles Dickens' character Estella. Over all I am quite happy with the images I've created. I feel they are a good reflection of all my research and design ideas although I think I could have taken the look further. Making the hairstyle more elaborate and polished would have been a more fitting style for an upper class young lady during the era. 
Her slight smile displays a glimpse of her softer side beneath. Unfortunately the camera slightly bleached out the pink tones I added to her lips and cheeks. I wanted her to appear to be blushing as this is also a symbol of innocents and youthfulness.  




ESTELLA SHOOT 

I chose Natasha as my model as I felt she had the natural flawless features I was looking for to create my character. She is also 19, around the age I wanted my Estella to be. She also has very long hair that is very workable and perfect for creating a period hair style. Although on the day she turned up on the shoot she had recently had blonde added to her previously very natural hair. Due to time constraints I was not able to change my model for someone who had un-dyed hair. I will experiment with post production to achieve more of an authentic look. 

I began with curling all of the hair using tongs. This helped add texture and volume to the hair before I styled it. Backcombing the hair also allowed me to create volume and height on the crown before pulling the rest back into a soft bun. I felt in order to show Estella's 'true' character, the soft, innocent girl beneath the hard exterior she normal portrays it was import to create a very feminine romantic style. I feel this was achieved by adding softly structure curls that fell around the face and neck.   



MAKEUP DESIGN - Estella 

During the Victorian era makeup would only been worn by prostitutes and stage girls. It was frowned upon by many. Although many women desired a youthful glow, pale skin and blushing cheeks. On my face chart I have demonstrated the subtle makeup I wish to use on my character interpretation of Estella. Testing the makeup was essential as I felt the face chart did not allow me to test the look enough. 
I applied a 'no makeup' makeup look on my friend Emma. Using perfectly matched foundation I was able to create a completely flawless base to the look. Adding a small amount of  blusher and lipstick meant I could achieve a very natural, youthful, beauty makeup. Perfect for my character before she moves to Paris.


FINAL DESIGN 

   HAIR 
ŸPulled back off the face.
ŸStructured bun at the back of the head.
ŸPin curls framing the face.
ŸRomantic and soft.
Ÿ
MAKEUP
Ÿ Rosie cheeks  
ŸSubtle pink lip
ŸYouthful and feminine
ŸSoft beauty makeup
Ÿ
Ÿ STYLING 
ŸBlue silk off the shoulder bodice.
ŸLarge pearl broach, symbolizing purity and innocence. 

HAIR DESIGN

Sunday 3 March 2013

DESIGN STORY BOARD
ESTELLA


This story board displays my final design ideas for my character of Estella. The images include styling ideas I want to include in my final look. I have also including some sketches and a face chart as part of the board. I will use this as inspiration when creating my look. The images display the final themes for the look I want to create. 

STYLING 


The Victorian era was all about extravagance. Upper class women would display their wealth and class through wearing expensive and highly elaborate garments. Silk was a popular material due to its luxurious look and feel. I've chosen to style my character in a similar way to the image above. Using silk I will drape the material in order to create an 'off the shoulder' style garment, that was incredibly popular during the era. I've chosen to use blue as I feel this color is very young and feminine and will contrast well against Estella's pale flawless complexion.I want to include the symbolism of the pearl within my look. To do this I will pull the look together with a large detailed pearled broach to represent innocents and purity.

   

Saturday 23 February 2013


                                                         




STYLING
In the 
1840s and 1850s, women's gowns developed wide puffed sleeves. Dresses were simple and pale. Realistic flower trimming was used on dresses. Petticoats, corsets, chemises were worn under gowns.There was a big difference in day and evening wear. Day dresses would be made up of a solid bodice and evening gowns were low cut and would be worn with a shawl across the shoulders. 


DRESS DESIGN 
Looking at a variety of different garments from the Victorian era I have sketched a dress design inspired by the popular styles worn by the upper classes during the period. I've included a full skirt created from layered petticoats  with add flounced layers of material and bow detailing. I really like the 'off the shoulder' style which would show off the top of the chest and shoulders. Garments where lavish and extravagant  I feel I have captured this well in this sketch. 


Friday 22 February 2013



To develop my ideas and designs I feel it is essential to produce imagery using a variety of different media. I have used the paintings I looked at previously for inspiration, combining elements from the portraits with my own ideas. 
After undertaking my initial research I have decided to develop my character Estella at the point in the novel just before she moves to Paris. There is a specific scene I will be creating her image for; her styling and hair and makeup is key in this scene. Before she moves she sees Pip again. Although her cold exterior is still 
strong, there is a glimpse of her heart underneath the pretentious character she appears to be. 

The portrait I've created represents my final ideas for Estella. Dressing her in blue gives of a youthful appeal and was a popular color worn by the wealthy during the Victorian era. I feel it is essential for her to be adorned with pearls as these were a symbol of purity and innocence. Purity was an incredibly attractive trait to have. 


This painting was done as a present for my brother and was originally a tattoo design. Although I feel it is relevant to this project as roses where often used as hair accessories during the Victorian era. I am considering adding roses to Estella's hair as they will add color and detail. Red roses symbolize love, and the bright red petals would bring out her pure white complexion. 

Tuesday 19 February 2013

ESTELLA TEST HAIR

Although in most of the interpretations of Estella I have previously researched her hair would have been worn up in a detailed bun I feel it is important to experiment with different styles to represent my character. I created this hair style inspire by the portrait; The letter, by William Maw Egley
My model Emma has a natural curl to her hair. Using a large barreled curling wand I was able to replicate the tight barrel curls seen in the painting. Many women would have used rags to created sculptured curls like the ones seen here. I really like the youthful feel to the style, it is much softer and feminine than the up do's I have     previously experimented with. 

Monday 18 February 2013


TEST HAIR 
As part of my character development it it essential to experiment with different hair based on the classic styles worn by Victorian women. The hair was very extravagant, and like in the Elizabethan era big hair represented power and class. Upper class women would often wear there hair up in tight buns with structured curls pinned across their crown to add detail and texture. Flowers would also often to added to enhance the look. This would create a feminine and elegant style. 


QUEEN LOUISA OF THE BELGIANS 
This image is taken from a book demonstrates a popular Victorian hair style, much like the ones I created above. The textured hair contrasts strongly against her pale youthful skin. This is an important element I want to capture within my interpretation of Estella. Queen Louisa has lace material draped over the back of her bun, this is an elegant and sophisticated hair accessoryworn by the upper classes.