Types of Clowns

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There is a little bit of clown in each of us -
do you wonder what clown type suits your personality?

There are three classic types of clowns: Whiteface, Auguste, and Tramp or Hobo. The Character Clown is often considered a fourth, but uses any of the three classic makeup styles.

The Whiteface Clown

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True to the name,this clown has a face that is completely covered in white, with facial features (eyebrows, nose, mouth) painted in black and red. The features can be either neat or grotesque. Other decorations may be added using other colors.

The Whiteface costume may be one piece or any variation of a suit. It also may make use of sequins, rhinestones, or other flashy material. The whiteface is a pleasant-looking clown. He has decent manners, and is generally artistic in his performance. He usually appears to be in command of any situation he is in and often bosses the other clowns around.

The Auguste Clown

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The Auguste face base makeup color is a variation of pink, red, or tan rather than white. Features are exaggerated in size and are typically red and black in color. The mouth is thickly outlined with white (called the muzzle) as are the eyes.

The Auguste is appropriately dressed in either well-fitted garb or in a costume that does not fit - either oversize or too small is appropriate. Bold colors, large prints or patterns, and suspenders often characterize Auguste costumes.

The Auguste is the most comedic of all clowns; his actions wilder, broader than the other clowns. He is often a troublemaker, using slapstick comedy to get away with more and bigger pranks.

The Tramp or Hobo/Bag Lady

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The Hobo face can be painted a flesh-colored pink or tan. Make-up designs often include a beard and highlights of white around the eyes and mouth.

The costume is often tattered looking, dark colored suit that can have many patches. A variation of this costume is simply sloppy coat with many pockets and sometimes a brightly colored vest. A derby or silk hat that often has no top finishes off the costume.

The character and makeup design portrayed can either be a sad, woebegone Tramp, or a happy-go-lucky Hobo.

A female may also be a Tramp/Hobo or the recent addition of the “bag lady.” Bag Lady make-up is similar to the Tramp or Hobo – minus the beard, of course! Be sure to add some brown or gray make-up highlights to reflect the image of living on the streets. She usually wears layers of clothing – a frumpy dress or skirt and blouse, perhaps a sweater and jacket over top. Add a scarf around the neck and some type of headwear.

Bag ladies often wear worn sneakers or boots with droopy socks, perhaps a piece of cheap costume jewelry and, of course, carry a tattered bag or push-cart for their worldly possessions.

The Character Clown

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This clown depicts a specific character or occupation. A character clown can be anything: a baseball player, doctor, policeman (Keystone Cop), sailor, etc.); the choices are endless!

An important clown in this category is the Rodeo Clown, who not only makes people laugh, he helps protect rodeo participants in dangerous situations.

Make-up for a character clown can be whatever you choose; it should compliment the specific character being portrayed and can be subtle or bold, as long as it doesn't detract from the overall effect.

See a fantastic collection of clown pictures here.

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