Merlin the Great
No this is not a sequel to the 1982 movie starring Robin Williams “The World According to Garp” but a look at the world of LARP or Live Action Role Play.
Many of us as children played a game of make believe like Cowboys and Indians, Cops and Robbers, had a royal tea party with our favorite baby dolls or tied a sheet around or neck saving the world as our favorite superhero. For some of us we never let go of this childhood fantasy world of make believe and brought it with us into our adulthood. Larping is a means for people to act out a story based on a setting or time period like Knights of a Royal Crusade or a Reenactment of the Civil War. With these adventures comes the opportunity for some great costuming or even creating a new look with a makeup for your character.
Creating a Character:
When we were kids I don’t think we as much created characters as just took on a role of our game but in the adult version, creating a character can be half the fun. The time period in which your game is set will help shape your character, mid evil times may be a mighty ruler or wizard, while a game set in the 1820’s may lead you to an inventor or business tycoon. Above you see a photo of Merlin, I was contacted by an organization with ties to Renaissance period events asking me to create a Merlin character to appear at their large feasts. This was a fun project for me as a fan of this time period as well as being a magician. Quickly I set to work on a new version of Merlin, as the standard mystifying sorcerer has been done to death. My character has found himself in the need of extra employment among the “common folk” due to cutbacks at the Royal Kingdom. “Merlin the Great” is a gifted sorcerer who has lowered himself to performing parlour tricks for the commoners all to make ends meet. He is smarmy and sarcastic while displaying great miracles for the audience. Choosing to make this character a bi product of our current struggling economy and corporate downsizing has proven to be a smart move. People can relate to the need of an extra income or being stepped down a rung on the cooperate ladder, so they welcome their fellow co hoard “Merlin” and laugh with him as he reflects back to when he was a somebody. This twist on the norm is all part of the artistic license one has in Live Action Role Play.
Creating a look:
Although costuming is a major part of your character, a good makeup could really amp up your persona. Merlin is not difficult at all, the beard and mustache are attached with facial adhesive, a little white makeup to color the eyebrows and then the white wig to top things off. These simple additions to my face along with the cool robe and hat completely transform me into the Great Wizard from King Arthur’s court.
Since Live Action Role Play often centers around a battle game I thought we could come up with an interesting warrior make up for the guys. We will be using some simple methods so that most anyone with a steady hand can accomplish a similar look.
Start with a fresh face.
Make sure that your subjects skin is free of facial oils and dirt.
Create your design.
I used a fine tip eyeliner marker for the outline. Using a straight edge for the lines and a makeup lid for the curves draw the outline of your warriors face tattoo.
Detail marks.
The eyeliner marker was used to add a few accent points.
Fill with color.
Using a fine tip brush add the fill color, we chose Diamond brand Metallic Green.
Final touches.
A little hair gel and a sweet leather jacket and our post apocalyptic warrior is ready for some chaos.
I hope you have fun and get adventurous with some makeup ideas of your own. Remember we here at Clown Antics are always ready to help and answer any questions you might have on our products.