Tudor Rose

William Morris

Although William Morris is more Victorian era than Tudor, his pieces have been a source of inspiration for my backdrop.

Tree Trial

This tree was made using a chicken wire tube to make up the trunk and single wires constructing the roots and branches. The model was then covered in modrock and then the plan was to cover and add texture with milliput.

When adding the milliput I realised that the underlying structure was not sturdy enough to stand along or to hold the weight of even a small bit of milliput. I also wasnt happy with the branches as there were too many and they were too thin and wispy looking.

Inspiration

I am using the colours from this image in the stained glass window and vaguely following a similar pattern.

Mood Boards

Environmental Art, Architecture, Nature

Fantasy MakeUp and Illusion

Tudor

Holbein

Holbein was a very popular painter, particularly with the Royals, in the Tudor period.

He was commissioned to paint a lot of the royal portraits, some of which still hang in the properties they lived in.

Tudor Portraits

Mary

Elizabeth

Faerie Queen

I found this cut out in an old book I was given as a child on the Tudors. It explains the popularity of a fictional faerie character based on Elizabeth I. I have looked for more evidence of this character but can only find that the character came about through a poem written by Edmund Spenser and that various artists incorporated the character into their paintings, all with different idea's of aesthetics.

Other opinions on the character say that this poem was based on a prophecy regarding the Saxon's ruling England, which was later adopted by the Tudors.

I may take the Faerie Queen idea forward to help fuse the organic architecture and Tudor genres.

Organic Architecture and Environmental Art

I've always been interested in these subjects and these images are quite inspirational. The flower dress takes the classical silhouette and, like other examples shown, fills it with something unexpected. Although real flowers wouldn't be suitable for theatre, it is food for thought.

Smirnoff - 'Wild Things'

https://www.smirnoff.com/templates/getinspired_detail.aspx?id=4294967335

Another tale of period costume and props mingling within another genre.

GHD

Link to 'Twisted Fairytale' Campaign: http://www.ghdhair.com/latest-tv-campaign

This type of styling is a big favourite of mine in film, tv, advertisment, theatre and alternative dress. Mixing classical silhouettes, props, locations and storylines with extreme, possibly punk inspired, make-up, colouring and attitude. Similar to with Illamasqua, this combination seems to create a different persona and even the movements of 'The Ugly Sisters' are unusual.

The colouring particularly changes the mise en scene and while the location and sihouettes tell us this is a period piece, the bright blue hair and other distinctively odd colourings tell us that this is a little twisted and leaves us not knowing what to expect.

This is very similar to what I would like to achieve with my design, taking the Tudor period and twisting it into something unexpected.

Illamasqua #2

This image is inspiring because the pattern and colours show similarities to the fabrics used to make Tudor gowns, particularly towards the end of the 16th century when everything became more detailed and decadent. Taking this texture and applying it to face has made me think about where I am using particular colours, textures, patterns and shapes and whether I should mix it up a little to see what happens.

Illamasqua

I first encountered Illamasqua when I was studying towards my Foundation in Art and Design and Alex Box came in to give a demonstration. Alex is originally from Grimsby, where I am from, and studied at the same college, specialising in fine art painting. She is now a very successful Make-up artist based in London and partner in the Illamasqua company. I find her work absolutely incredible as she really stretches make up art much further than simply making people look lovely. As you can see in the films (links posted below), she creates a complete character with her work and I find it very inspiring.

ART OF DARKNESS FILM: http://www.illamasqua.com/collections/art-of-darkness/

simply scroll down and there is a pop out box in which it plays.

ILLAMASQUA BRAND FILM:http://www.illamasqua.com/alter-ego-gallery/films/illamasqua-brand-film/

Please watch these! They get me all silly and excited EVERYTIME!

Practice Makes Perfect!

I decided to make a very simple model to give me a better idea of what I'm working with, although still difficult as I don't have any stage measurements yet! This exercise really helped me visualise and see things coming together, as well as pointing out simple issues. For example, its now clear that the step down into the 'adaptable area' may not work as it doesn't leave a lot of room around the ring, although would the actors need room there? This is something I would normally discuss with actors and the director but in this case I have to decide for myself.

I have included photo's above of the process of making the model tree which went okay for a first attempt. I have since found an image sheet of tree silhouettes so I can choose a shape appropriate for the period, location and that will fit in the set.

Dummling Costume #1

The previous image labelled ‘ordinary peoples clothing’ gave me the starting point I needed for Dummling’s clothing, it also helped me plan the ‘sisters from the Inn’s attire.

Changes in Fashion

The volume in the sleeves also moved over the century from a lot of flare around the cuffs so an undergarment can be seen to the volume being around the shoulder and a very tight cuff around the wrist.The image above labelled ‘Clothing of the elite’ clearly shows the change in sleeve volume.

Research Traces, Upper Class Ladies

My research tracings show the difference in detailing over the 1500’s. The early Tudor detailing is bold and uses a lot of pearls and beading whereas later in the century the detailing is a lot finer and more than one luxurious material is used for example pearl, lace and velvet all on one garment.