Living Art

A project to achieve perceptual 3D properties on a flat surface, without lines, angles and objects used in varying sizes, fading away from the main subject, to cause a depth perception with a 3D appearance.

The idea came about as a result of an oil painting I was working on. The subject content of the painting was one human form painted on a black background, using the primary colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple; avoiding creating secondary colors by the mixing of two primary colors, thus avoiding changing the value of the original hue.

This concept was based on visual perceptions of colors, as applied to a black background. Purple would appear the most distant, blue the next closer in distance, green even closer, then yellow, orange, with red being perceived as the closest to the viewer based on their sight of the subject in the painting.

The difficulty I encountered was the human form painted flat on a flat surface with no visual reference to know exactly how the contours of a body would appear, or should appear when painted flat using the colors purple through red. Of course, I could of made it up, I tried this approach; but, I wanted a more realistic result.

I had one choice, find a subject I could paint with the proposed color scheme I wanted to use. Photograph the results so that I had a visual reference to how these lines of color viewed on the model after being photographed; the photograph would then represent the flat surface appearance of the subject and how it should look on a painted flat surface.

And thus....

How To:

For those who may be interested in using "Living Art" techniques, in their own photographic art applications or for those that are just the curious of mind, I have written a little "how to" about "Living Art".The most important part about doing living art, is having an idea in mind, first, of what you are trying to accomplish. You will have approximately an hour from the time you finish painting your subject, in which to photograph them, before the paint starts fading and cracking, (I have based this time factor on; being able to paint the subject in about 30-40 minutes, the heat of the body and of course the photographic lighting in use, that will continue to dry the makeup, during this time period).

You can however, touch up any cracking areas or even re-coat large areas, as you do the photo shoot; but you still have time limitations on how long a person should remain painted with the makeup. Especially when you are dealing with the heat from the photographic lighting, and the fact over 50% of the skin surface is covered and sealed with colored liquid makeup.

I was told for a short period of time up to 75% of the body surface could be covered, I would not recommend it and caution against this amount of coverage.

There is another problem you should be aware of, so you may tell the model before hand, instead of after the fact; certain colors of this makeup may have a tendency to discolor the skin slightly in small areas.

After the first photo shoot with Sara, that I had painted her with liquid makeup, we had not noticed any discolored skin or if it was discolored, was not apparent to either of us at the time. It was after the second photo shoot that she noticed that the colored makeup would not entirely wash off and left small areas discolored or stained in shades of purple or green, with hints of yellow here and there, with the red being the most prominent color. She told me of this and then said, "Maybe I could start a new fad, like colored hair, only with colored skin instead." She said it looked kind of cool on her. Remember Sara said this first in 1995.

My only recommendation is to use a base coat of makeup that seals the skin, like coverall or some similar product; using this product only in areas that will remain exposed and not covered by clothing (the face, neck, arms, etc.). The manufacturer of liquid makeup makes no recommendations for this; or that the product may discolor or stain the skin. Even the staff at the costume outlet, that have used this product extensively, where unaware of any staining or discoloration problems associated with this product.

I strongly advise using time constraints after applying coverall and/or liquid makeup to large areas of the body; as these products seal off the natural cooling system of the physical body. I suggest you work fast and keep the time below one hour. If the model has any discomfort of any kind, other than the paint drying and giving the skin a tightening feeling, discontinue immediately, and get the model to the shower. You can go longer, but I am suggesting caution be used, and a shorter amount of time, the first time out. After you and the model have done one test shoot, you will know if the model can endure a longer period of time, safely. A 2 hour maximum time limit should be adhered to, and never exceeded no matter what; do not overheat the person, half of their body cannot properly cool itself off. I hope you understand this point well and stick with this maximum time limit no matter what.You need access to a shower where you do the photo shoot. Ensure you have a clean towel and a new bar of soap available for your model, so when you are finished they can immediately shower. Do your model a favor and make sure the shower is clean, beforehand. When the model is finished in the shower, rinse it well as this colored makeup could possibly stain the shower area.

As for the applicator sponge, you can buy this at the costume shop where you buy the liquid makeup. It is a small wedged sponge that is almost non porous. Even a makeup applicator pad could be used for large areas of one color. I recommend an applicator sponge for each color of paint and any mixed colors you use, along with water for each sponge and color.

White, black, red, yellow, green, blue and purple are pretty much the standard available liquid makeup colors. So you will need to know your basic primary color mixtures and what secondary colors these combinations create, in case you wish to try some blending of colors. I suggest you get an artist's color wheel, so you know what colors you are about to create. Or just be original and make it up as you go.The next thing is how fast can you paint an entire person? If you are a practiced artist, you should be able to accomplish this feat in approximately 1/2 hour. If you are not a practiced artist start with a smaller area, that you can get done in about 1/2 hour.

Remember the colored makeup will crack after it completely dries and the model begins moving about. The colored makeup will also crack if it is applied to thickly.

Keep your sponges, colors and water handy for touchup during the shoot.

Watch the time........

Understand, if you use this information, you use it at your own liability.

WEATHERED an example of Living Art

DONALD A. AABY
JAN '99