Be A Clown
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Maybe the most important thing you need as a clown is a unique look. You should take
your time applying your makeup. Usually you should allow yourself anywhere from
30 minutes to one hour. Traditionally speaking, there are three types of clown
faces; whiteface, hobo, and auguste. Whiteface is the most common face. After attending
clown camp I was informed that whiteface clowns must not show any flesh tone skin. If
you wanted to be a whiteface clown, you had to wear gloves to cover your hands and either
paint your neck to match your face, or wear a turtle neck type shirt. A hobo clown is
usually a male clown. The hobo has a beard or five o'clock shadow painted on, a
big nose, and sad smile. An auguste clown does not use white as a base. Instead, an
auguste clown allows his or her own skin tone show.
Whiteface Clown
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Auguste Clown |
Hobo Clown
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Here my assistant Jimmy and I transform ourselves into Flopsie and Spot. Once we had
applied our white base, we added our noses. I like to use a traditional red nose
made from plastic. I use liquid latex to keep it in place. Jimmy opted for the
painted on nose. He applied a tiny amount of liquid latex, then added sparkles to complete
his look. Try to plan ahead. You should have a clear idea of what you want your clown to
look like before you pick up a brush. If you don't have a plan, you may end up looking
more like a scary clown than a happy entertainer. Trust me, over the years I have seen
many a messy, disorganized clown face. The more you add to your face, the stranger you
look. Plus, a busy face will take away from your costume and character.
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Every clown needs a costume to complete the look. Flopsie and Spot top off their ensemble
with colourful wigs and hats. What you can't see in this photo are Flopsy's size 26 shoes.
Now remember, even if you have that perfect look and perfect costume, you must not forget
to develop a character. The last thing people want to see is someone dressed like a
clown and acting like any old regular person. Develop a funny walk, or a different voice.
Set yourself apart from others, especially if you want to turn your clown into a side
business.
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