Batman: Joker's Make-Up Question (Heath Ledger)

[IndyFanChuck]

We all know that Heath Ledger did his own Make Up for the Joker, unless what I have read is incorrect.

What I have noticed, if I can be brutally honest is that there are several people with just stunning Joker costumes - but the Make up is just plain bad.

I am GUESSING that it is because they are using the wrong types of make up. I'd like to TRY and get what Heath Ledger used, or something very close, and give it a try and post the results.

My wife and I have watched over and over several scenes with the Joker and I agree with my wife that it doesn't seem to be the face paint you would buy at the costume store, but something else.

What are your thoughts? Does anyone know for sure what Make-Up Heath Ledger used? Or was it not make-up at all but something else? After I hear all of what you think, I'll get some and we will post the results.

Thanks guys!



----Chuck


PS: I'm specifically talking about the Make-up, NOT the fake scars. Just the make-up part!

 

[Westies14]

Heath's were silicone appliances. Very lifelike and they blend well... But they were sculpted, molded, and cast - very thin facial appliances.

 

[Hecubus114]

if you're talking strictly about the clown makeup, I think a step most people skip that they did on HL was him scrunching up his face, and gettiing sprayed with water. Thats what made the distinct shapes around the eyes, his "smile" lines, and forehead lines...

 

[Westies14]

Ah, sorry! Yeah, his face was very scrunched (and to be fair, some people's faces wrinkle up much more than others' when they scrunch their faces) when the makeup was applied. I think a lot of people just put it on too thick and fill in all of those cracks, or try and draw their own in. That never looks very natural... Good luck with yours!

- Douglas

 

[rockbottom]

I think the part about Heath doing his own makeup is false. There are interviews with the makeup guys on the film and they discuss the techniques they used. No where have ever seen it mentioned about the brands or types used. I've even gone as far as emailing the makeup guys and asking. Never heard back.
When I put the makeup on I use white grease for the face. I find that mascera works great around the eyes. It runs very well. And just a red lip stain for the rest. I don't use grease for the red cause it tastes bad doing the lip smacking

 

[Kwally89]

I have never heard that Heath did his own makeup....it sounds REALLY far-fetched if you ask me.

The trick is to really scrunch your face and allow some of the makeup to run around the eyes. My favorite version of the joker is the interrogation scene where his makeup is VERY messed up. It adds to the insanity of his character.

Kody

 

[Hecubus114]

I think he did his own makeup for early screen tests. But for filming - no way. A makeup artist would have to match how it looked from take to take...

 

[IndyFanChuck]

Thanks guys! I know I ask a LOT of questions about a lot of different costumes. I'm sorry if this gets on people's nerves. I just found the Master Chief, Iron Man, and Saving Private Ryan costume ideas to be FAR TOO expensive.

I still have 4 other costumes in some form of incompletion! lol But honestly, who here doesn't have like 9 unfinished projects?! :angel

Anyway, this one I am buying! I'm gonna contact Indy and a couple other guys and should have this completed in a few weeks.

I am still unsure what make up to buy. But I'm gonna try my hardest to look scary!

 

[Ramiel]

Remember the liquid collodion to make the "recessed area" of the scars... But search first for it on the board, it should be used carefully!

 

[darthgordon]

Personally, I'm a big fan of Ben Nye. I don't think you can go wrong with it... however to get the black to run a bit (due to the durability of BN), I would consider using some cheaper mascara, that'll run a little with some water. Once you’ve got it where you want it, set it up with translucent face powder.

 

[nickytea]

As has been said, the white looks most effective when applied mid face scrunch. I read that the black eye makeup was applied then misted with water to help it run. You can really see this in the mob meeting scene.

 

[Laffo]

Every bit of the clown makeup can be done with Greasepaint. Exactly like in the Movie. It sets and stays until you take it off. Practice is all it takes. Dirt cheap too. You can make Greasepaint look like it's run by the way you put it on.
Laffo.

 

[IndyFanChuck]

My wife and I have been pausing the movie and really looking at the Joker close ups, and it doesn't look like Greasepaint. Also, how do we keep it from looking "wet" if we use the Greasepaint? Just asking, cause we don't want to waste our money on like 9 different kids of makeup and such..:lol

Every bit of the clown makeup can be done with Greasepaint. Exactly like in the Movie. It sets and stays until you take it off. Practice is all it takes. Dirt cheap too. You can make Greasepaint look like it's run by the way you put it on.
Laffo.

 

[Jodo]

A warning about the rigid collodion methods for scars....Test it before you put it on yer face.

That my friends is the friendly left hand of the internet. (You should see my right hand, ZING!)

Oddly enough, it only did it the one time, and it never once left that serious of burn on my face. :lol

Also, if you don't want to spray the eye make-up and shake your head like a crazy...Use a sharp object to do the controlled "messy lines". I use an orange stick to do mine, but anything sharp will do. I know some people use a nail file, potatoe peeler.....anything to put your eye out. (Red Ryder BB gun....) You use the same technique to smear away the white before you do the black lines. I think it comes out pretty good. (I want to do the make-up again so bad its not even funny. Just can't find time. )

 

[Laffo]

You set greasepaint with a powder to pull the oil out of it. Baby Powder in a Gym Sock is the cheapest. You can buy 10 different types of translucent setting powder if you wanna go that route.
20 years of Clown makeup and you can make it do whatever you want, but a little practice, and you can do it. DO NOT WAIT TO PRACTICE! PRACTICE AHEAD OF TIME! It can be wet looking, smooth, choppy - on and on. Depends on how it's dressed.

They made Frankenstein outta Greasepaint and Cheese Cloth, so the Joker's a breeze.

I have one makeup box, filled with greasepaint I bought at a College Bookstore on closeout 25 years ago. They were selling off the sets you'd buy for Theatre Classes. I bought a Black Female, and a White Female set.
I have to buy a Clown White tub every 3 years, but every makeup I've ever done has come outta that box.

When the Clown picture was taken, I'd been in the Makeup 12 hours.

Lemme know if you want a step by step, and I'll walk you through a tutorial.

Laffo.

 

[IndyFanChuck]

WOW! Your photos scared me a bit. I think I pooped a little when I scrolled to see your clown. Your make up work is killer!

I would LOVE a tutorial, and honestly, I bet a lot of people here would appreciate it! Thanks for the help!

Lemme know if you want a step by step, and I'll walk you through a tutorial.

Laffo.

 

[jedistine]

Smooth-On has a tutorial up here http://www.smooth-on.com/gallery.php?galleryid=330&cPath=1241

 

[Laffo]

Let me get through the Festival here at the Drive-In this weekend and put one up for you that relates to the Joker Makeup specifically.
Hold Tight.
Laffo.

 

[GeneralFROSTY]

Below is how my Joker turned out this past Halloween.
The coat is from an asian seleller, everything else is Indy (not the gloves)
I used professional clown makeup, called ProFace.
To greater bring out the creases and cracks, I scrunched my face and applied liquid latex to the creased areas. After letting the latex set for a minute or two, I un-scrunched my face.
Makeup 'sticks' to latex better than to bare skin, so when I dabbed the white makeup on, the latex picked up the makeup and really showed off the cracks and creases better than without the latex applied. The trick is to dab it on so only the 'raised' latex area picks up the makeup, and not in the cracks.
A great scar kit comes from Gorify.com. They offer a direct-from-mold application from silicone method, exactly like used for Heath. Direct-from-mold application is quicker, easier and eliminates the problem of curling edges while applying silicone scars without the direct-from-mold method.
Apply the Red and white first. Save black for last - this will help reduce the chance that the white will smudge accidently with black (turning the white makeup gray).
My picture below is my second night out as the Joker - I got the makeup much better the second time around and I am sure I will do much much better when I do it again this Halloween.

 

[Nightwing Returns]

This is just regular clown make-up i used last all hallow's eve. Not much to it really, but I guess thats why it didnt turn out very well.

-Kevin