Arts >> Theater >> Theater Costumes

How to Make Kabuki Face Paint

Performing in a Kabuki theater production, or dressing up in costume to represent the Japanese art form, requires getting the right look for the part. Makeup is an instrumental element of Kabuki theater. Stark white faces accentuated with bright colors is a common way to depict the character being represented. To avoid using traditional stage makeup, you can make your own Kabuki appropriate makeup at home.

Instructions

    • 1

      Create the white base to cover the entire face first. In Kabuki theater, all actors have stark white painted over the face. To make the white face paint, mix together powdered sugar with water until you achieve a thick paste. Add one teaspoon of water to one cup of powdered sugar to start and adjust the mixture until a consistency is reached suitable for face painting. Alternatively, combine one tablespoon vegetable shortening with two tablespoons corn starch.

    • 2

      Mix the red face paint to use next on the face. Red is used in Kabuki makeup to accentuate the lips and eyes. Mix one tablespoon vegetable shortening, two tablespoons corn starch and two to three drops of red food coloring. Blend well and store in an airtight container.

    • 3

      Create dramatic black eyebrows by making black face paint. Mix one tablespoon vegetable shortening, two tablespoons corn starch and two to three drops of squid ink to make a thick, black face paint.

+:
+:

Theater Costumes

Related Categories