shu uemura 2024 Artistic Calendar: A Dragon's Sword

Under my sole creative direction, this calendar becomes a canvas where the 'Ryu no Tsurugi' spirit, an ancient Japanese essence, dances to life under the gentle strokes of our atelier artists. Symbolizing innovation, creativity, and inclusivity, it weaves its magic throughout, heralding the Year of the Dragon as a journey of transformation through the tapestry of artistry.

In this harmonious marriage of technology and humanity, where the enchanting AI-imagined universe seamlessly merges with the timeless allure of our human muses. I spearheaded the entire project, from concept to execution, overseeing a 360 launch in collaboration with the global e-commerce team (thanks to my dear friend CHEN WU) to unveil it on brand.com.

Despite multitasking with many other projects, I successfully brought this ethereal inspiration to life within seven months. To ensure this beauty is forever at your fingertips, we are delighted to offer a digital download option.

May this calendar inspire the dragon spirit within you, igniting boundless creativity and exploration throughout the year.

PREFACE

step into the wondrous realm of shu uemura's 2024 artistic calendar, where the year of the dragon unfolds: a time of mythical power and profound transformation. in these pages, tradition and modernity intertwine, forging a connection both fierce and breathtaking, a world where art knows no bounds.

awaken the 'ryu no tsurugi' spirit, an ancient japanese essence, as it dances to life under the gentle strokes of our atelier artists. a symbol of innovation, creativity, and an embrace of all, it weaves its magic throughout. join us in heralding the year of the dragon, a journey of transformation through the tapestry of artistry. within each page, the enchanting AI-imagined universe merges seamlessly with the timeless allure of our human muses, a tribute to the harmonious marriage of technology and humanity.

to keep this ethereal inspiration close, we are delighted to offer a digital download option, ensuring that our calendar's beauty is forever at your fingertips, wherever your journey takes you.

may this calendar inspire the dragon spirit within, igniting boundless creativity and exploration throughout the year. thank you for gracing our artistic voyage.

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12 dragon inspired looks

JAN - power and strength

shu uemura international artistic director - uchiide

Strive to express mysterious power and strength in people’s spirit by inspiration of dragon and sword.

Contrast between Gold and black by calligraphy touched strokes with dynamic movements like coiled dragon around a sword is the focal point in the makeup.

Things don’t always work out as we want but I strongly believe everyone has huge potential for success in our life. Let’s celebrate and move forward this dragon year with your inner power and strength!

精神の奥底に宿る神秘的な力と強さを龍と刀身のイメージで表現しました。

刀に巻きつく龍のように躍動感に溢れたゴールドとブラックのカリグラフィストロークがメイクアップのポイントです。

物事はいつも思い通りにいくとは限りませんが、人々にはそれぞれの人生で成功するための大きな可能性が秘められていると私は信じています。
あなたの秘められた力と強さでこの辰年を一緒に頑張りましょう！

FEB - winged creatures

shu uemura atelier artist - kimura junichiro

Inspired by the graceful and splendid white pterosaurs that fly freely in the heavens.

I incorporated them into a graphic design in white and gold.

I created this work because I wanted to convey the power and joy of beauty that transcends gender and generation through the sacred power of dragons that bring wealth and abundance.

天空を自由に舞う優雅で華麗な白い翼竜から着想を得て、白とゴールドのグラフィックデザインに落とし込みました。

富や豊かさをもたらす竜の神聖なパワーを通じて、ジェンダーやジェネレーションを超えたビューティが持つ力と楽しさを伝えたいと考え、作成した作品です。

MAR - guardianship and protection

shu uemura international chef makeup artist, product designer - yuji asano

金光と共に舞い降りた龍が、干魃で荒れた大地の表層を舐める様に滑空した。その荒地は、瞬く間に金色に輝く作物で覆い尽くされた。龍神様の飛来であった。

そんな龍神様を崇める表現として、老若男女の誰もが分かり易い象徴的な鱗をモチーフとした。

鱗一枚、一枚に感謝と願いを込めて。

The dragon descended with golden light and glided to lick the surface of the drought-stricken land. The wasteland over which the dragon glided was covered with golden crops. This was the flight of the Dragon God.

As an expression of reverence for the Dragon God, I used the symbolic scales as a motif that everyone, young and old, can easily understand.
Each and every scale is a symbol of gratitude and wish.

APR - serpentine bodies

shu uemura atelier artist - gabe ku

創作靈感源自於水中的舞龍，龍具有神聖的力量及象徵著權威，而它的形象和特徵在不同傳說和文化中反映其多樣性。

龍與大自然有著神奇的聯繫，當它流體般的身體在水中起舞時，正與水的流動相相結合，這種優雅的靈動，如夢幻般唯美，充滿着自由和生命力，喚起了生命的本質、重生和永恆的能量，在新的一年，就讓龍賜予我們新的希望和滿滿的力量！我於作品中以白色線條和夢幻的色調來塑造這唯美的畫面。

Inspiration comes from a dragon dancing in the water. Dragons have sacred power and always symbolize authority. Their image and characteristics often appear in different legends and cultures.

Dragons also have a mythical connection with nature. When their fluid serpentine bodies dance in the water, they flow with the water.

This kind of agility, with much elegance, is dreamlike and beautiful; full of freedom and vitality.

In the new year, let the dragon give us new hope and full power! In my work, I use white lines and dreamy tones to create this beautiful picture.

MAY - elemental forces

shu uemura atelier artist - yang yuhwa

【架空】と【実在】の間に存在する竜を、日本画の骨格ともいわれている「線画」の技法を用いて表現しました。
土台にはあえて奥行を排除した平面的な線描写を、目元にはリアルに平面から浮き出てくるような立体的な線描写を描くことで、【架空】と【実在】を一つのキャンパスに共存させました。

そして、”画竜点睛”ということわざありますが、もしかするとあなたの手による最後の仕上げの一筆が、この竜に魂とエネルギーを吹き込み空高く舞い昇っていくかもしれません。あなたの一手があなた自身の人生を突き動かすように。

見る側の解釈で新たな創造の世界が広がるように、あなたの自由な創造世界でこのメイクを昇華していただけると嬉しいです。

The dragon, which exists between [imaginary] and [real], is expressed using the “line drawing'' technique, which is said to be the backbone of Japanese painting.

I made [imaginary] and [real] coexist on one canvas, by drawing two-dimensional line that deliberately eliminate depth for the base and by drawing three-dimensional line that realistically stand out from the plane for the eyes.

And there is a proverb, "Garyuu tensei(画竜点睛)", and perhaps the final touch of your hand will breathe soul and energy into this dragon and soar high into the sky. It's like your one move moves your own life.

I would be happy if you could sublimate this makeup in your free creative world so that the interpretation of the viewer will open up a new world of creation.

JUN - colors

shu uemura atelier artist - panda ye peng (myself)

在色彩的魔幻舞台上，欢乐的氛围像烟火般绽放。

妆容成了一幅自由的画布，我们用心绘制，让色彩狂欢在每一个皱纹、每一寸肌肤上流淌。它是一场自由奔放的Color Run，一场探索色彩世界的狂欢之旅，融入了龙的灵魂，草书字体的自由书写。

勇敢地涂抹吧，用荧光的红、蓝、黄，点亮微笑的角落；用清新的绿、粉、紫，勾勒出开心的时光。这是自由的颜色，欢乐的选择，让你的灵魂和模特的脸庞一同燃烧。

在妆容的自由画布上，草书字体“龙”如游龙般飞舞，成了每一个色彩的源头。色彩在自由中交织，欢乐中流淌，而模特的笑容是最美的绽放。
让我们一起，在彩色的世界里奔跑，释放欢笑，用色彩书写自由，用快乐涂抹草书字体的“龙”。

On the enchanting stage of colors, an atmosphere of joy unfolds like fireworks.

Makeup becomes a canvas of freedom, where we paint with heart, letting the colors of celebration flow over every wrinkle and inch of skin. It's a liberating Color Run, a jubilant journey into the world of hues, infused with the essence of the dragon and the fluid strokes of cursive writing.

Boldly apply, with fluorescent reds, blues, and yellows, illuminating the corners of smiles; use fresh greens, pinks, and purples to outline moments of happiness. These are the colors of freedom, choices of joy, setting your soul and the model's face ablaze together.

On the canvas of free-form makeup, the cursive character "龙" dances like a wandering dragon, becoming the wellspring of every hue. Colors intertwine within freedom, flowing through joy, and the model's smile is the most beautiful bloom.
Let's join together, running in the world of colors, unleashing laughter, using colors to write the story of freedom, and painting the cursive "龙" with happiness.

JUL - culture variations

shu uemura atelier artist - noel yau

靈感來自東方的黃龍與西方的黑翼龍，在東方和西方文化中，龍都被視為神聖的象徵。它們代表著權力、智慧、守護和運氣。無論是黃龍還是黑翼龍，它們都被認為具有神聖的地位和象徵性意義。

使用深淺不同的金色色調去營造層次感，用單一色彩製造3D立體層次。再以神秘人眼罩形態展示，灑上不規則金泊，展現力量源源不絕地從「靈魂之窗」中湧現。

The inspiration comes from the Eastern Yellow Dragon and the Western Black Winged Dragon. In both Eastern and Western cultures, dragons are regarded as symbols of divinity. They represent power, wisdom, protection, and good luck. Whether it's the Yellow Dragon or the Black Winged Dragon, they are both believed to possess a sacred status and symbolic meaning.

Using varying shades of gold to create a sense of depth, employing a monochromatic color scheme to produce a 3D eye makeup effect. Then, presenting it in the form of a mysterious eye mask, sprinkled with irregular golden specks, showcasing the continuous emergence of power from the "window of the soul."

AUG - elemental breath

shu uemura atelier artist - ivy qin huang

妆容灵感来源于日本著名的动漫《鬼灭之刃》里的炎之呼吸跟龙的结合。

龙在中国是非常神秘的存在拥有强大的力量，这些神兽一旦出现就会带来巨大的祸福。

妆容大面积用了红色/暗红色/橘黄色的晕染来烘托龙喷火时的火焰光晕，唇角呼出的火焰与脸颊的火焰连成一片能够感受到龙身体里迸发出强大的力量，正如植村秀品牌带给人们更多的力量与态度。

The makeup inspiration is derived from the combination of the "Flame Breathing" from the famous Japanese anime "Demon Slayer" and dragons.

Dragons are a very mysterious presence in China, possessing immense power. These mythical creatures, once they appear, can bring about both great blessings and calamities.

The makeup extensively uses shades of red, dark red, and orange to create a smoky effect, resembling the fiery halo when a dragon breathes fire. The flames at the corners of the lips and on the cheeks form a cohesive whole, making you feel the powerful energy bursting from the dragon's body, just as the Shu Uemura brand brings people more strength and attitude.

SEP - wisdom and intelligence

shu uemura atelier artist - tao jiang

在中国历史文化中，龙是一种神秘而又充满智慧的象征，它代表着权力和尊贵，同时也象征着智慧、勇敢和创造力。它是一种聪明伶俐的动物，不仅能呼风唤雨，还能掌握着天地规则的奥秘，将龙视作为名族精神的象征，同时中国龙的智慧也激励着我们在人生道路上勇往直前，永不言败的精神。
中国龙的智慧体现在它的灵活性和多样性，龙能够在空中飞翔，也能在水中潜行，这种多样性使龙能够适应各种环境，为人类带来福音。

在中国神话传说中的神仙形象，一般都是额头光洁丰厚的，额头饱满则聪明伶俐，反应灵敏，现如今额头也是一种能够体现出智慧的特征。

在妆容设计上主要找到了额头和脸部骨骼来进行整个妆容的打造，能够表达出龙的智慧敏锐和勇敢坚定的精神，以晕染、形状和线条的妆容表现形式，再选取冷静智慧的蓝色和极具未来感的银色，就像是一条智慧的龙从水中跃出飞向无尽苍穹的那一刻，凸显出它无穷的神秘力量与无限的智慧。

In Chinese history and culture, the dragon is a symbol of mystery and wisdom. It represents power and nobility while also symbolizing intelligence, courage, and creativity. The dragon is seen as a clever and intelligent creature, capable not only of controlling the weather but also understanding the secrets of the natural world. It is considered a symbol of national spirit, and the wisdom of the Chinese dragon inspires us to move forward courageously in life, never giving up.

The wisdom of the Chinese dragon is reflected in its adaptability and diversity. Dragons can fly in the air and swim in the water, showcasing their ability to thrive in various environments, bringing blessings to humanity.
In Chinese mythology, divine beings often have a prominent and well-rounded forehead, which signifies intelligence and quick thinking. Today, a prominent forehead is also considered a characteristic that reflects wisdom.

In the makeup design, the focus is on the forehead and facial bone structure to create the entire look, expressing the dragon's sharp intelligence and brave determination. Using techniques like smudging, shapes, and lines, the makeup incorporates cool and wise blue colors along with futuristic silver. This combination resembles a wise dragon emerging from the water and soaring into the endless sky, highlighting its boundless mystical power and infinite wisdom.

OCT - scales and texture

shu uemura atelier artist - nancy nan wang

整个妆容以龙鳞的形状和颜色为灵感，打造出一种神秘而又强大的氛围感。

不同的珠光金属亮片元素组合散发出璀璨的光泽，仿佛太阳照射在龙鳞上的效果，华丽而庄重。

这样不仅能突出面部结构轮廓，还给人一种神秘的感觉，像是拥有了龙族的强大力量。鼓励我们勇于面对不一样的声音，坚持本真的样子。

The entire makeup is inspired by the shape and colors of dragon scales, creating a mysterious and powerful ambiance.

The combination of different iridescent metallic glitter elements emits a dazzling radiance, reminiscent of the effect of the sun shining on dragon scales, magnificent yet solemn.

This not only accentuates facial contours but also gives a sense of mystery, as if possessing the formidable power of the dragon lineage. It encourages us to embrace different voices and stay true to our authentic selves.

NOV - majesty

shu uemura atelier artist - panda ye peng (myself)

在魔幻的瞬间，女性的威严与荣耀在龙的怀抱中展现。
她是那位拥有崇高神圣之姿的女王，不拘一格，不拘一形，以独特的多样化灵魂演绎自己的传奇。

贴近肌肤的红，如皇家血液般的激情，点燃内心的欲望；深邃的蓝，象征王者的冷静与权威，勇往直前；神秘的紫，是智慧与魅力的交汇，展现女性的多面性。

在妆容的舞台上，3D贴纸眼妆呼之欲出，宛如宝石的星辰，闪耀光芒，如同女性的灵魂，散发出迷人的光辉。高贵的姿态，俯瞰世界，宛如皇者，不凡而庄严。

这不仅仅是化妆的艺术，更是女性的力量和荣耀。因为在每个女性的胸怀中，都蕴藏着属于她们自己的神圣王国。

In the realm of magic, the dignity and glory of women are unveiled within the embrace of a dragon.
She is the queen with a sublime and sacred presence, unbound by norms, transcending forms, narrating her own legend with a unique tapestry of diversity.

The intimate red against the skin ignites desires like royal blood pulsing within; the profound blue symbolizes the calm and authority of a ruler, forging ahead with unwavering courage; the mysterious purple, where wisdom and allure converge, unfolds the facets of femininity.

On the stage of makeup, 3D sticker eye art emerges, akin to gemstones and constellations, emitting radiant brilliance, much like the soul of a woman, exuding a captivating luminescence. The regal posture, overlooking the world, akin to royalty, is both extraordinary and solemn.

This is more than just makeup; it embodies the power and glory of women. For within the heart of every woman lies her own sacred kingdom, awaiting discovery.

DEC - transformation and rebirth

shu uemura international artistic director - uchiide

strived to interpret the spirit of dragon as god of water with tomoe pattern that shows spiral water.
Through 3D makeup with solemn, deep and mysterious silence in that circle, you will feel legendary supernatural miracles and power of dragon.

Dragon may be an imaginary creature but some people believe rebirth of dragon will happen in our mind. I’m sure everyone has been able to feel or experience that miracles do exist. You will make it happen. It may be up to you.

水の神としての龍を渦巻く様を表す巴紋様とともに表現してみました。

顔に開いた円の中には荘厳で深遠、神秘に満ちた静寂とともに心の顔を３Ｄで浮き上がらせています。龍のもたらす超自然的な奇跡と力が感じられるのではないでしょうか
龍は想像上の存在かもしれませんが、その生まれ変わりは多くの人々の心の中で信じられています。
確かに奇跡は存在すると誰しも感じたことはあるのではないでしょうか。それを起こすのはあなた次第なのかもしれません。

launch for expanded awareness

I spearheaded the entire project, from concept to execution, overseeing a 360 launch in collaboration with the global e-commerce team to unveil it on brand.com.

shu uemura 2024 Artistic Calendar: A Dragon's Sword

Back to Home

12 dragon inspired looks

launch for expanded awareness

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