Color Theory for the Makeup Artist ― Understanding Color and Light for Beauty and Special Effects

Color Theory for the Make-up Artist: Understanding Color and Light for Beauty and Special Effects combines traditional color theory for fine artists and applies it to the make-up artist.

This book is suitable for both professionals and beginners who wish to train their eye further to understand and recognize distinctions in color.

It explains why we see color, how to categorize and identify color, relationships between colors, and it relates these concepts to beauty and special effects make-up. The book teaches how to mix flesh tones by using only primary colors, and explains how these colors in paints and make-up are sourced and created. It also discusses the reason for variations in skin colors and undertones, and how to identify and match these using make-up, while choosing flattering colors for the eyes, lips, and cheeks. Colors found inside the body are explained for special effects make-up, like why we bruise, bleed, or appear sick. Ideas and techniques are also described for painting prosthetics, in addition to using color as inspiration in make-up designs. The book also discusses how lighting affects color on film, television, theater, and photography sets, and how to properly light your workspace for successful applications.

Katie Middleton is a professional make-up artist for film and television with a background in fine art, specializing in portrait and representational painting. She earned her Bachelor Degree in Fine Art from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York where she was honored with the Early Career Achievement Award in 2016. Some of her make-up credits include the film Loving, where she was nominated for a Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award in 2017; Showtime’s Homeland; AMC’s Turn: Washington’s Spies; PBS’s Mercy Street; and Mystery Science Theater 3000. Katie also studied make-up and special effects at Vancouver Film School where she received the Make-up Achievement Award.