Creative Body Art Shoot in a Mosquito Infested Forest

I was itching to do body art for a very long time.  Finally, I kicked myself in the butt and got to collaborate with some awesome photogs and model.  Nicole and her husband, Shawn, from NC Photography as well as the stunning miss Brookelynn (who use to be Miss International...or Miss Universe Canada or something like that....my old brain ain't working but she was stunning nonetheless!) were awesome people to work with!

I worked with the Makeup Forever Flash Palette, which is oil-based so it was awesome to use for blending!  Unfortunately, it was really easy to smudge.  I tried airbrushing on some Temptu shimmer, which is an alcohol based formula for longer waterproof wear, to try and encase the oil based stuff in.  I also powdered over everything with a bit of shimmer powder as well.  A makeup artist from L.A. once told me that a light mist of hairspray works too!

I drew my outline in a white pencil first so if I made any mistakes, I could easily smudge it off.  Then, I used a big synthetic foundation brush to fill in most of the color (i.e. the tree, the sun...).  I used a synthetic concealer brush to draw the flowers and the more detailed stuff like like lines in the tree, the leaves, and details on the flowers (magenta petals, coral medium transition, and yellow pollen). After drawing the details, I shaded in the shadows to make it pop more.  I liked using the synthetic brushes more for the creamy MUFE Flash Palette because it gave me more control.

4 hours later....I had drawn a shiny golden sun on her face, with sun rays beaming down, and a big ol' tree with flowers and leaves blowing in the wind.  The photographer met us and she made a comment how the sun was so shiny (it was a shimmer gold color in the palette) and how the rest of the artwork was matte.  She was worried how it was going to photography.

Too late now!  We drive off to a hiking trail near by and it is just infested with mosquitos!  Here are a couple shots of the photographer adjusting the hair off of the model's face and fixing the hair.

Check out these rockstar photographers!

The model was amazing too - totally unfazed by the millions of mosquitos trying to drink her blood.

Props to her boyfriend (now fiance - congrats you two!) doing some ninja photographing - can you see him?? (hint:  Up top left corner)

These pictures are why you NEED a professional photographer to do your portfolio work or on any special occasion!!  A professional model helps too!  She's so pretty!

 I forgot, I had added some clear gems to each blossom pollen for extra bling!  I also added some dramatic lashes and a couple of Shu Uemera colored individual lashes on the bottom corner of her lashes.  Hot pink lipstick just brings it all together :)

There was actually no wind that day so the model's boyfriend, Ryan actually gathered up the fabric in a little ball, then threw it up in the air!  Then he quickly jumped in the bushes to get out of the way so they didn't take him in the picture...lol.  It took a few times, but it turned out pretty cool :)  Shawn actually trekked across a creek in order to get this far away shot.

Looking at the finished product, everything seems so glamourous!  Little do people know the time, effort, and work everybody goes through to get a few good photos. 

I came out with 15 mosquito bites that day.  Dammit.

Feel free to comment or provide any feedback you might have!