Summary
- Makeup played a crucial role in bringing the Harry Potter world to life, with the makeup team tackling various challenges throughout the series.
- Some of the special effects in Harry Potter were not solely CGI; the makeup team used their expertise to create realistic aging prosthetics and transform the actors.
- The Harry Potter franchise continues to inspire artists, like Rogona, who embrace illusion and innovation in their own work.
A makeup artist recently shared her cosplay of Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series with a video of her magical transformation. Played by Richard Harris in the first two installments and Michael Gambon for the remaining six movies, the character of Dumbledore is a recognizable figure to millions worldwide as a guiding figure to Harry and his friends. Mirroring his signature half-moon glasses and twinkling eyes requires a level of makeup expertise.
Artist Rogona took on the challenge when she posted an eight-second Instagram Reel of her transformation into the Hogwarts headmaster. Check it out below:
Although Rogona begins by painting two wrinkle lines beneath her eyes and white streaks around her chin to replicate Dumbledore’s beard, with the swiping of her arms, Rogona reemerges as a Dumbledore double. Fit with rolling white hair and a tied, silver beard, the makeup artist manages to capture distinctive character details seemingly by mostly relying on face paint.
Makeup Played An Essential Role In Harry Potter
Mark Coulier and the other makeup artists involved in Harry Potter‘s production had the challenge of staying true to one of the most in-depth fantasy worlds ever created. Throughout eight movies, the makeup team tackled curse-induced injuries, a Yule Ball makeover, and a Metamorphmagus named Tonks’ ever-switching hairstyles.
While some viewers may have assumed differently, several Harry Potter special effects were not solely CGI. In the nineteen-year-old scene, for example, there was initially a discussion on casting older actors to play the aged trio. However, the makeup team ultimately decided to include the main cast of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson in Deathly Hallows Part 2‘s final scene. While the team used a touch of CGI to reduce the effect of the aging prosthetics, the majority of the makeup was completed through the work of artists alone.
Although the final Harry Potter movie was released over a decade ago, the franchise continues to inspire creators, such as Rogona, even today. Perhaps the movies’ fantastical nature and the catalog of pointed hats and colorful dress robes have moved artists to embrace illusion and innovation in their own work.
Source: @rogona_makeup/Instagram
