(Lich by Nory Turk's. Photo by Morozova Yaroslava.)
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Breaking Into the Makeup FX Industry
My name is Marina Kliueva aka Nory Turk's from Nory Studio FX. I'm 37 years old, and about four years ago, I began to make my professional way in the Makeup FX industry.
(Marina Kliueva aka Nory Turk's with her Monster Makeup Contest winning character, LICH.)
I used to teach crafts; makeup was only a hobby. But my life changed when I first saw the Face Off competition TV series. Thanks to that TV show, I thought, "I can do that," and I started to take my hobby very seriously. I did my own research and searched for as much information about Makeup FX as I could. I tried out new materials and technologies again and again. Still today, in my work, I like to experiment with new materials and technologies.
(Gargoyle in Venice, created by Nory Turk's and Vlad Taupesh. Model: Elizaveta Muravieva.)
By the time I thought my work was getting pretty good, I was lucky enough to be invited to FX Makeup School in Prague where I was trained by Vlad Taupesh and Josef Rarach. Since getting my certificate, in addition to creating FX makeups, I'm also now making sculptures. I like sculpting new characters and making them come to life. Most of the time these days, I work in Russia where I do makeups for bloggers, special events, and on small movies such as Playdurizm. Of course, I would like to create characters for big movies, especially fantasies and children's movies. I hope I get the chance to do this very soon.
(Fetish Demon Girl by Nory Turk's. Model: LaSombra Cosplay, photo by Andrew Rants.)
Creating LICH, the Magic Giant
Lich is a special character for me who manages to have both presence and style. He's a vibrant and fully-fleshed concept that I hope elicits both a touch of dread and also an appreciation for his showmanship. It took me a week to create this character made especially for the Stan Winston School Monster Makeup Contest.
(Lich by Nory Turk's. Lich is a magic giant who personifies the inevitability of ashes; his crown scratches the night sky, and his legs dive to the dark depths. Photo by Morozova Yaroslava.)
My teachers used to say that a character exists in the details, so when I decided to create this creature for the contest, I looked for details as inspiration.
I had a fake baby skull on my shelf, and that became one of the details on the crown. Based on that, I sculpted a skull and some bones; then I made molds from those and cast the pieces many, many times.
(The crown with the skulls and bones by Nory Turk's.)
When I sculpted the Lich's face I was inspired by depictions of Egyptian mummies. I used foam latex to make the prosthetic.
(Work-in-progress photos of the Lich face mask.)
In addition to using foam latex, adhesive, and PAX paint on this character, I also tried a few technologies that I'd never used before. I used plastic stretch wrap for the crown and armor, which changes its form depending on the temperature of the heat gun directed at it.
(Details of the Lich's armor by Nory Turk's.)
(Details of the shoe by Nory Turk's.)
The makeup application took about three-and-a-half hours. My model, Alexander Korolev is not a professional model, but I thought he expertly brought my character to life.
(Lich by Nory Turk's, promoting Nory Studio FX. Photo by Morozova Yaroslava.)
When the Stan Winston School announced I'd won the Monster Makeup Contest, I said, "I can't believe it!" So many talanted artists from all over the world took part in this contest. I liked looking at all the work. Thanks so much to the Stan Winston School for the opportunity to see such great work and connect with so many great artists.
- Nory Turk's
You can follow Nory on the following pages: Facebook, Nory SPFX Instagram, Personal Instagram, VK, Website.
Check out the original Monster Makeup Contest Winner Announcement: LICH by Nory Turk's
View all the entries at Monster Makeup Contest.
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