Abstract Art

Designs that are abstract are the most fun to work with. You can literally try to duplicate the intricate patterns or interpret the colors for your canvas. Designing in anyway is an open expression. Part of any production process is drawing from exterior sources and relating them back to what you know and what you can do. This is true for make-up. Take a look at your surroundings...the internet, the outdoors, the person next to you. That is your inspiration. That is the development of your personal archive.

The design I have chosen for this entry is a Mary Katrantzou dress. It has vibrant colors that are perfect for an abstract palette. The dress design itself is something truly unique and very difficult to copy directly--so it is rather an interpretive piece.

When working with the colors blue, purple, green, and yellow, you need to be cautious in picking the proper shades. If you are relating your make-up back to a design, not only do you need to take into account the colors in the patterns, but also your own skin tone. Certain blues can be very harsh on your skin--either too bright or too dark. When working with these colors you need to be careful mixing the shades. Shading and blending are essential...but the individual colors still need to make an appearance. Like the dress on a runway, this is your own “personal archive” presented on a live canvas. 

Choose your images carefully. Select colors that match your skin tone (test them on the backs of your hands first, if necessary--I do this all the time). Blend the edges of your design while still maintaining the essence of each color. Line your eyes with liner and shadow. Experiment with wing-tips and the natural outline of your lid. This is a new way of self-exposure.

ColorEyez Tip of the Day:

Liquid Liner. One of the most tricky tools to work with. In the pictures listed above I have used liquid liner to make a small wing-tip. This method takes practice! If you are interested in just everyday makeup and are uncomfortable with liquid liner, try Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil. This product is easily applied with a similar smoothness and can produce the same affects as a liquid liner; however, liquid liners are more precise and have more distinct lines.