FMS408GothicHorrorSalmonM: Studio Session with Helen

In today's studio session with Helen, she encouraged us to begin practicing any ideas or hair charts we had created so that we can start preparing for the continuity assessment. Before hand the session I had already began to think of different hairstyles from the 1890's that I could make more simple and easy to re create but also fit in with my character. Helen made an important point during the session and advised us maybe to create one elaborate detailed hairstyle you would recreate if it wasn't a continuity assessment and was more flexible, and then break down that hairstyle adapting it so that it is easier to create.

I found this session helpful and it really helped me to better visualise the Victorian hair I want to create for my continuity assessment. Me and my classmate Beccy decided to both share and work on Toby, our only male classmate. Although, he didn't have a lot of hair, the length was perfect and his hair was very thick too. I began to first look at some hairstyles on Pinterest that were suitable for my character Dorian Grey, so that I could recreate it on Toby. After looking online and not finding much I decided to re create a hair chart I had brought with me instead. I had previously created three had charts before the session but decided to only try one chart in this session.

Because Toby only had a small amount of hair on top of his head, due to his recent removal of dread locks, I found it difficult to create the same amount of volume and texture I wanted in the hair as his hair was extremely soft and also not as thick as I had to share half of his hair with my partner. I began creating my hair design by sectioning Toby's hair and then applying hot rollers in the hair. When first using these hot rollers I rolled the hair inwards making the roller sit forwards on the head and not sideways, I applied the rollers this way because I wanted the hair to sit/fall away from the face to the back of the head instead.

After applying the rollers into the hair, I began to undo the rollers and then brush out the curls lightly. Making sure my curls are nice and fluffy, I began to back comb the sections of hair from the root, I did this because I wanted to add more volume and texture to the hair. When I was happy with the texture I had achieved, I began to form the shape of the hair. I wanted the hair to sit and frame the forehead and side of the face but have a really sleek glossy finish to the hair. For me this hairstyle really reminded me of the character of Dorian Gray throughout Oscar Wilde's book, short, glossy, soft, sleek hair. I want this hair design to make Dorian Grey appear extravagant, stylish, polished and formal.

I was happy with my first outcome when practicing my hair chart, but felt it was a little flat and did not hold as much detailed curl and wave to the hair. Because of this I asked Helen for feedback and she helpfully advised me to try using the barrel curlers in the hair instead of heat rollers as they created a much more defined curl in the hair. I tried this technique and loved the outcome, especially when I began to form the hair so that It perfectly fell alongside the side of the face in a wave shape. I finished the hairstyle by applying hair spray and shine finish oil. Next session, I plan to try and find an available male model to come into the session with me so that I can practice again. I have began looking for male models by asking around in University and also asking friends of friends, I haven't had much luck so far but I plan to ask someone who was recommended to me by a friend. When considering my final hair design, It would be ideal if my final model had facial hair already, that is long enough to style how I want to, although If I can't find a model with facial hair I will have to adapt my design, find someone new or even experiment with postiche hair pieces and spirit gum.

I feel that my final hair design for the continuity assessment will probably be quite simple and sleek, portraying Dorian Gray as handsome, smart and groomed. My reasoning for keeping the hair design simple is because, Dorian Grey is very much depicted the same throughout the novel and only introduces a different portray of him when his portrait of himself becomes more alive. I would still be very happy if my final outcome of my characters hair was a simple design but very glossy, sleek and immaculate. I think this hair design would compliment my make-up design well as my make-up designs I have been planning are much more dramatic and colourful, so by me keeping the hair design simple but still relevant to the Victorian time period, I can still capture the true Dorian Gray and his portrait as one subtly.

Heated Rollers in the hair, the curl outcome of heat rollers.

I applied heat rollers in the hair in a forward direction facing the front of the head (Helen later advised me to apply the rollers the opposite way (side ways) In order to create more wave and definition.

First attempt at creating my hair chart design , you can see at the side of the head were I have tried to form the wave shape in the hair but It was still quite flat against the head.

First attempt at creating/forming the hair into a wave shape at the side of the hair, I was partly successful in completing the hair chart but wanted more definition and volume in the hair especially at the front of the hair to make the hair appear more Victorian.