Black with White

It’s important to stay inspired when it comes to doing any kind of work. As a makeup artist, I take inspiration from a variety of places, from the vibrant colors of food and fall foliage to people watching and fashion trends. Art is also a big influence for me when developing ideas for a beauty or editorial photoshoot. I personally enjoy many different forms of art like abstract expressionism and modern folk art.

For this shoot, I took my inspiration from the clean, geometric shapes and simplicity of minimalism. One of my favorite artists in this genre is Ellsworth Kelly (1923 – 2015), an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker. His work is known for its hard-edged shapes and many times the use of a single opaque color. The following examples show his skill using just black with white.

Ellsworth Kelly, “Black Relief with White,” 2011.

Ellsworth Kelly, “Atlantic,” 1956.

I wanted to play off of the clean lines found in minimalism, but keep it simple and natural. To give my model’s skin a dewy finish I mixed a pea-size of glycerin with SheaMoisture Creme Foundation and contoured with Becca Lowlight/Highlight Perfecting Palette.

In the first picture below I applied Ben Nye Creme Color in White and used the White Matte eyeshadow in the Lorac Pro Palette to set it. For the second look I used the Flash Color Stick in Black by Make Up For Ever. For both looks I made stencils using electric tape to produce the clean shapes. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Zinnia was added for a soft lip color.

Stay tuned to see where my inspiration will lead me on my next photoshoot. What inspires your makeup? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

Makeup, Hair, and Creative Direction: Renée Loiz, Photography and Wardrobe Styling: Nancy Neil, Model: Sophia Simone

Artwork Credits: Ellsworth Kelly, “Black Relief with White,” 2011. Oil on canvas, two joined panels. Matthew Marks Gallery; Ellsworth Kelly, “Atlantic,” 1956. Oil on canvas, two joined panels. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Purchase, 1957.