Chinese opera makeup
Chinese opera is a form of traditional drama and musical theatre in China. There are many different types of Chinese opera due to the region, which can be divided to five main types; Beijing, Cantonese, Henan, Hwangmei and Yue opera. These operas differ in costumes, make ups, music and regions that these operas are performed.
Through interview with BBIS Chinese student, Eva, I learned that there are four main roles in Chinese opera, and make ups of the four differ. The four roles are Hua dan, which is female role, Xiao Sheng, which is male role, Lao Sheng, which is an old men, and Wu Sheng that are fighters. With further investigation, it became clear that roles are basically divided into two; male roles and female roles.
Sheng refers to male roles.
1. Xiao sheng: a young man who speaks in natural and aftificial voice. He sings in a high-pitched falsetto.
2. Lao sheng: an old male that sings and speaks in a deep natural voice.
3. Wu sheng: a young man that sings and speaks in natural voice and specializes in Kung fu and Acrobatics.
Dan refers to female roles.
1. Qing Yi: a lady of good and sympathetic character. Quiet, gentle disposition and movements indicate Chinese ideal of a beautiful woman. She sings in pure, high pitch.
2. Hua dan: flirtatious young girl. Her quick and attractive movements catch eyes. She sings in gayer and stronger voice compared to Qing Yi and wears vivid clothes.
3. Gui men dan: a young, unmarried girl that developes into either Qing Yi or Hua Dan. She shows immaturity through reactions such as naughtiness and mischievousness.
4. Dao ma dan: a female warrior trained mainly for acting and singing.
5. Wu dan: a female acrobatic role.
6. Lao dan: an old woman with deeper voice compared to other female roles.
Since there were no information related to make ups of these operas except the general characteristics which are white face and mask-looking face expression, I decided to refer to pictures of Chinese opera make ups to copy. Because the model is a girl, I decided to do Qing Yi makeup, which is more splendid than other make ups but not too much as Hua dan makeup. Qing Yi makeup uses white, black and a red as point color. This is probably because red color in China indicates good fortune and happiness. Faces are covered flawlessly and in white color. Eyebrows and eyeliners are both done clearly in deep black. Eye region is shaded in red, and lips are covered fully with red lipstick. Thus, Chinese opera makeup will be emphasizing three colors and clear expression.
"Dan: The Female Role in Beijing Opera." ChinaHighlights. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Chinese Opera." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Chinese Traditional Operas." ChinaHighlights. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Sheng - Male Role in Beijing Opera." Sheng - Male Role in Beijing Opera. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Beijing Opera." Welcome to China. N.p., 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Great Contest-QingYi Semifinals." Megapoxy. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Chinese Opera Actor." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Trip Idea: Hear Chinese Opera at Shanghai's Yifu Theatre." Without Baggage. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Laureate Chinese Opera." DS News: Chinese Opera. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Why Is China so Red." Cultural China. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Chinese Opera." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Chinese Traditional Operas." ChinaHighlights. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Sheng - Male Role in Beijing Opera." Sheng - Male Role in Beijing Opera. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Beijing Opera." Welcome to China. N.p., 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Great Contest-QingYi Semifinals." Megapoxy. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Chinese Opera Actor." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Trip Idea: Hear Chinese Opera at Shanghai's Yifu Theatre." Without Baggage. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Laureate Chinese Opera." DS News: Chinese Opera. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.
"Why Is China so Red." Cultural China. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.