monster high for a photo shoot

I've had a woman very keen to use me for a photo shoot she is organising. She is dressing up kids and young adults as Monster High characters, and wants me to paint them. She has done a lot of photos shoots in the past and know what she want and how it all works. Ive explained to her that I don't feel I'm skilled enough to do it, and that Im not sure that I have the right tools for it. She is convinced that I can, so much so I'm now wondering lol. She has seen my work and my tools and is still really really keen.

I have a few weeks to get back to her, and I told her out right that I would love to be part of it but I don't want to be the one who ruins it all. She wants me to go have a play around and see what I can do. She has someone else lined up who would cost a lot more then me (which is prob why she is pushing lol)

After that huge preamble, I'm wondering how do I learn to do this sort of makeup/painting? It's something I'd love to be part of, and while I don't know if I'll be ready this time, maybe next time I will be. Do I need to do a course? Is there somewhere online that I can learn?

Are you being expected to paint the clothing as well, or just the faces? Because this is what came up when I googled "Monster High"..

And to me it just looks like very minimal painting is needed!

I have designed 2 different kind of make up for this dolls, girls didn't like very much, last time I tried just doing the eye shadow with metallics and the special touch they have in the checks and it worked, I already booked a party ex: for the pink doll : pink metallic eye shadow, little heart on cheek, red lipstick with the tooth, for the photo shot you can try a very light pink, green, blue base depend on the doll.

Draculara is on my board. ( the one with the pink hair)My daughter dressed up as her for Halloween twice. Funnily enough when I wear my pink hair the kids tell me I look like her, lol!
I will post a pic for you when I'm not on my iPad.

You are being WAAAAAAAAY too hard on yourself!! This lady has seen your work. (and I just checked out your work too... you are more than capable!) Monster High Dolls are actually VERY simple. Just make sure you apply the color for the base VERY lightly. Starblend powder would be a good option for the white bases... ect. All you need is cool liner, and eyeshadow. Each girl has her own quirk... stitches for Frankie, heart for Draculaura. Your linework is awesome. You CAN do this. Just google some pictures of them and go to town! I'm assuming she is handling all of the complicated costumes and wigs/ect? You have the fun job. Enjoy it!!

Is the photographer looking for an animated look to the makeup? You could try doing the eyes like a drag queen eye, with the extra white on the bottom to make the eye seem bigger and more rounded?

What is the difference between painting for a photo shoot v's painting so that the girls can walk around having out flyers.

This is all for a promo so the photo shoot is first then in a few months time the girls will be walking around handing out the flyers with their photos on them.

So far I have only TAG paints but have been wanting to stretch out and try more things, and she is willing to help me buy some stuff too.

Are star blends enough for photos? I though everything had to be a bit 'more' for photos?

I would say things have to be a bit "more" for stage, but not for photos. A photo shoot will capture what you paint. That being said... the drag queen eye is an AWESOME idea!

Lisa's video is probably more complicated/detailed than you need to go, but this gives you the idea of the "doll" look if you want a step by step for the eyes and some options for stitching on the face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTbz6KSOjwk

You don't need to do the shading on the face the way she did, cause monster high dolls are meant to be glamorous... but the eyes and stitching are perfect for what you are going for. Just a soft, even base.

These eyes are very good too! But you can use face paints to make it much simpler. I like the way she covered the eyebrows and made them higher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWP8Ag8n5Lo&feature=related

I'm a little jealous of your project!

Now I've sat down and watch the show I'm feeling a lot better by it :-) thank you so much for your help. Looks like I'm going to need a lot more paint to do arms and legs. (I now get her comment about wanting to get more appropriate clothing for the young girls!) I have time to do a lot of run throughs before I need to confirm with her so it's all looking good.

I really am so excited by this, it's going to be great fun and an awesome experience. It's going to be pretty good for my business too, but really I'm just looking forward to the photos ;-)

This one was based on the soft doll version - rather then the barbie/brat doll type - the soft ones have buttons for eyes.

This is one I do on the job at parties and festivals -


For the base I would suggest to load a little TAG pearl purple on your sponge and then load up with TAG Pearl White. I think on the bottom picture I used paradise silver.
Or just use TAG pearl white on it's own - it gives you a really nice shiny sheer base.
I wouldn't suggest you try and give them the cartoon eyes painted on the lids as they can't walk around handing out things with their eyes closed... but can be very effective for photos only.
I used Paradise for all the rest and put glitter wherever there is pink.
Draculara is the only one I have done - but she seems to be the most popular with the girls.......... my daughter sleeps with the soft doll version every night.
Oh yeah they also have 'pets'... Draculara's is a bat... just in case you wanted to incorporate those somehow.
Hope it's of some help - although you seem like you may not need it anymore! Have fun

Oh I'm always up for advise from here! Will be getting some pearls, they were next on my list anyway. I now need some time to play where my kids don't "help" so I I can try out some ideas.

Couldn't help myself. I really wanted to try the big round "doll" eyes. A little silly, I know, but I had a few minutes while my kids were sleeping today. I didn't have any fake lashes for the top, so I just painted them in.

Found a couple of threads.
http://www.facepaintforum.com/t9164-monster-high-face-painting-designs
http://www.facepaintforum.com/t10177-inspired-by-monster-high-designs?highlight=monster+high

That's fantastic! Just what I was thinking. I think fake lashes will look better for walking around. And maybe lipstick instead of paint for both?

Of course today is the day my 2 yr old won't sleep!

I would definitely go with fake lashes. I just didn't have any. Just make sure they are HUGE lashes, and you'll want some that are shorter on one side, then go to VERY long for the outside edges. (that's the look the girls on the show have). (winged out). I would go with lipstick too. Absolutely. Just didn't have any bright red handy. lol.

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these are fantastic!

Can I ask, what paints you used, especially for the base, I've having trouble getting that subtle, my white seems to be streaky I haven't had this issue with another colour I've sponged (I use TAG)

VENUS

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Kat, what white did you use for your pale Frankie/doll? I can't get that subtle either...

It's actually just starblend white. It's a good tone but maybe a little blotchy? I dunno. One thing about photo shoots is that it's really easy to correct the texture of the skin with photo editing, but not so much change the color/tone. I'm sure whoever is doing this shoot will do a lot of airbrushing to make them look "plastic" anyway. I was thinking about pearl white, but I think the shine might not work. Then again.. maybe it would help with the plastic look. The green REALLY needs t be SUPER light... barely even noticible that it's green. Tough call!