SHOOT 6: SNAKE

This shoot was the easiest of them all because it was a series of self portraits. Since I was the model, I was able to adapt my poses quickly to portray the emotion I needed. I was wearing a long green cheongsam which I found restricted my movement as I tried to pose, however I think that the dress works to give a subtle snake element as because the dress was wrinkling with the contours of the body just like how the skin of a snake folds as it moves. 

Overall, I think the shoot went really well and that we were able to capture a snake like essence. The only think I may change if I was to reshoot this look was the hair. I chose to wear a wig because it would drastically change my appearance. I chose that peculiar style of hair to make me look younger and more innocent however I don't think that the hair works as well with the sleek movement and slender long shapes I was creating. 

I used red mesh to symbolise the shedding of a snakes skin, although subtle, I think it creates very interesting images.

The image above is one of my favourites from the shoot because the angle has really elongated my body with the hip sticking out resembles the curves of a snake. This photo is eery because the viewer is not sure whether the eyes are open or not; there is simply a line of red. My arms look awkward but I think it works for the context of the picture, I look as if paralysed. 

MY DREAMS & SELF PORTRAITURE

Since I was a child, I have always had very vivid dreams. I have many memories of dreams, some dreams from many many years ago still haunt me. Growing up, I have always been very intrigued by the supernatural, horror has always been a love of mine and I often fill my mind with stories of ghosts and demons. Nightmares are my favourite kind of dream, the feeling of terror brings excitement and upon waking I feel very much inspired. I guess my own dream world is the main motivation and inspiration behind this project. 

My most vivid dream memory is being chased by a gigantic emerald green snake. Snakes are my biggest fear. They always slither into my dreams and terrify me. I have not questioned the meaning of these dreams until I began this project, dream dictionary gives a plethora of explanations such as running away from emotions or dealing with intimidating situations. However, the explanation that I am most drawn to is the symbolism of transformation - snakes shed their skin. I feel that especially during the last couple years and throughout this project I have transformed not only as a make-up artist but also as an artist. 

For the last character of my Phantasia series, I want to create a series of self portraits reflecting on my personal dreams - the idea of incorporating the self into my work is inspired by the art of Cristina Francov which I have talk about one of my previous posts. I think that concluding the exhibition with a personal message will create a personal connection between the viewer and the artist. 

In a subtle way, I plan to use the theme of snakes - I will become the snake who sheds skin and transforms. 

Mood board of lighting, colour and beauty inspiration.

For styling, I am thinking of wearing a emerald green cheongsam - a tight traditional Chinese dress. The sheen and pattern of the dress can resemble the skin of a snake from a distance.

MADNESS: CHARACTER DESIGN

People who have nightmares are more open to their feelings and the world around them. In fact, nightmare sufferers are more likely to be creative people and artists. Hartmann calls this trait “vulnerability” because these people have a greater ability to be touched by the world, to experience life and all of its pain. So this vulnerability is a double-edged sword, pointing towards both creativity as well as increased suffering. And also madness. It is true that nightmare sufferers tend to be more creative, but they also have a greater chance, statistically speaking, of being prone to mental illness (schizophrenia). This is the opposite of neurosis – which is having too many psychological defenses in play. (Hartmann, 2001) 

For this series of images, I wanted to create a character that represents madness, referring to the text above, I want to create very painterly portraits to symbolise the creativity of the character and capture her descent into insanity.

I wanted to create the texture of broken wood on the skin which could make the character appear like a broken doll, heavy paint strokes on the skin would create the effect of cracks when the paint dries, creating texture that could also give the illusion that her skin is deteriorating.

To give the character a more doll like effect, I will be blocking out the eyebrows and lips and then painting on the features messily. The way the eyebrows will be painted on will give the model the expressions of anger and sadness.  Relating back to the links in creativity and madness - I want the character to appear as if she is a watercolour or acrylic painting, forever trapped in this 'canvas of dream'.

To keep an oriental theme running throughout my project, I took inspiration from geisha and Chinese theatrical makeup for this look especially with the placement and choice of colour. For styling, I have purchased a black floor length kimono with floral patterns, again to complement the oriental theme. 

LOGO DESIGN

From as early my project proposal, I had already thought out the design for the Phantasia logo which is simply made out of the janeausten font I found on DaFont.com - I knew I wanted a font that was handwritten and romantic. I spent a long time finding the perfect shade of red, I worked towards creating crimson lettering which I bevelled for a three dimensional effect as I wanted the letters to appear as through they have been freshly written with thick ink. I am pleased with the outcome, although minor changes may still need to be made depending on the colouring of the website. 

SHOOT 3: DEVELOPING SLEEP PARALYSIS

For the second shoot which was intended to develop the character of the succubus, I have created and developed a second make-up look which will add variety to the series of images. I also intended for the make-up to portray a more sinister side of the character. 

She waits in the darkness.

This was one of the first images I took at the beginning of the shoot - as the shoot continues, more and more make-up is added to portray the development of the character. Working with glossy eyes proved very challenging because it would crease the eye makeup, preventing the fake eyelashes from adhering properly - I often had to readjust the eye make-up throughout the shoot. Despite the problems that gloss caused, the effects played nicely with the camera, by using a filter over the camera lens, the gloss caught the light creating iridescent sparkles which I thought gave the makeup texture and dimension. The muted clarity of the image and play of colour works well for this character - I was happy that although without a photography I was still able to create a filmic feel to the images. The image below reminds me of Woman in Black (2012). 

A closer look

These image gives a closer look at the details of the hair, I was loosely inspired by oriental hair designs and decided to create a pattern at the front by looping the hair around and hid the pins by using flowers to accentuate the design. I felt that by simply pinning the hair upwards made the wig look a lot more natural - it also looks as though a lot more effort was put into the hair although it was quite easy to create. 

Although these images are still predominately beauty focused, I think the use of texture to the skin gives an unusual twist. As the shoot progressed, I found myself using my fingers to paint and adjust the makeup which was much quicker, using a brush gave precise clean lines that I wanted to avoid. 

The following image is one of my favourites out of the series, I used paint and beads on the lips to create an almost grotesque dried- blood texture - it appears like the character has been feeding on something.

During the shoot, I also experimented with sheer fabric - I particularly liked this one red mesh fabric. This photo was captured by throwing the fabric upwards and letting it fall upon the model. It gave an interesting effect, almost appears like aura radiating from her, or 'the souls that she is consuming'.

Overall I think the shoot was successful, knowing that I am capable of capturing such photographs without the need of a photographer or assistant put my mind at ease because I know that I can always depend on myself. 

SEXSOMNIA: RETOUCHED IMAGES

For this series of images that represent the sleep phenomenon 'sexsomnia', I wanted to create a 'blossoming' effect with the protagonist. 

In the first two images, the protagonist appears very sweet and innocent and almost demure - these represent the beginning of the dream. In post production, I made the makeup stand out a little bit more, I feel that the blush around the eyes gives an oriental touch - almost geisha like. I may give all series an oriental touch, both subtle or obvious as a sort of creator signature. Although not intended I like the soft and blurriness of the first two images compared to the last images - it can represent the heightening clarity of the dream. 

As more flowers appear, she transcends into a state of seduction. She appears graceful and relaxed. I think that the lighting and background worked very well for the following image, there is a balance of cool and warm tones which makes this image very relaxing to look at. There is a quite a romantic presence. However, I really do wish that I could've added more flowers to the skin, especially the neck and shoulders, to give an unnerving aspect which is missing from this photo.

She climaxes. I like how unsettling the image is, the eyes are turned up and I feel that the use of upwards motion blur heightens the impact of the image. 

She awakens.

I like the coldness of this last image, it is the only image in which the character has her eyes open which works well because only when she wakes does she open her eyes. Unlike the character inspired by sleep paralysis who derives from the dream world, this character portrays the sleeper as she experiences sexsomnia. The reflective material wrapped around her almost gives an impression that she is underwater which I find unnerving because it gives an impression that the character is trapped or suffocating, or dead.

Out of all the images taken, I feel that the last two images were most successful. Although I like the previous images, I feel that there is a part of the story missing. Some have described sexsomia as pleasurable but most find it threatening, some who have experienced sexsomnia have believed it to be rape. I think I will take a break from these images and return with a fresh mind as to how it can be improved.

SLEEP PARALYSIS: CHARACTER DESIGN

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon that is massively unnerving.


I have based a character around this phenomenon, a character that derives from the hallucinations encountered in sleep paralysis. She is a female demon (succubus) that haunts and seduces the sleeper.

Still from film: Painted Skin (2012) 

Inspiration for such demon derives from a traditional Chinese folktale about Huli Jing (fox demon). She is a shapeshifter who, when is strong exists as a beautiful young woman but must survive and protect her beauty by absorbing human souls. Like a vampire, Huli Jing stalks and seduces men/women in the night, stealing their breaths to feed her hunger.








Part of my plan for this series of images is to also capture the effects of sleep paralysis on the sleeper, such as terror, suffocation and silence.

Author's own concept illustration

I have illustrated an image that I envision for the shoot, the victim appears to be choking on the flowers representing the immobilisation of speech during sleep paralysis. Make-up is simple, blushing red cheeks an red lined eyes, the hair is styled as though it has been wrapped around the subject's neck giving the impression of suffocation and restraint.

Mood Board:

Below is a face chart I created for the look that I envision for the demon. The main focus of this look is the hollowed out eyes and long bottom lashes. The lips are chapped to create a 'hungry' effect, although I may remove the blood dripping from the centre of the lips to avoid it looking too macabre. 

Wig Purchased

For hair I have a purchased a long silver lace front wig, since the same model will be portraying both characters (the demon and the victim), a drastic change in hair will give a clear separation of both characters. Also, since the makeup and styling is dark, lighter hair will give the images more dimension. Long silver hair will also give a magical and fairytale feel to the look.

The hair will need to be styled according to the models face shape, and I will experiment with it by leaving it down and pairing with flower hair ornaments or pinning it up to achieve slightly different looks in the series.













Styling wise, for the demon character I have bought this beautiful floor length lace dress. The black drop will be black and with pin point lighting the dress will merge into the background but I thought the lace peek-throughs will add delicate detail. The model I have chosen is also tattooed on the arms and legs so I purposely chose a dress that covers those areas.

Although sleep paralysis is a terrifying experience, I do not want to create macabre imagery. Inspired by films such as Woman in Black and Crimson Peak, the aim is to capture this nightmare with a filmic aesthetic with a touch of softness and romance as seen in the works of Tim Walker and Paolo Roversi. 

Above: Paolo Roversi Editorial

This shoot will be shot by myself. Time will be tight because I have to do everything by myself which is a first. The photographer that I had planned to work with for this project is unavailable and I don't want to rely on someone I have never worked with before. It will be a challenge to shoot by myself, however I feel that this will be a good experience for me to strengthen my organisation, time management and photography skills.