This Italian makeup artist creates optical illusions on his own body

Mon, Apr 29, 2019, 5:00 PM

With a few strokes of a brush, a good amount of makeup, and a blank forehead, Luca Luce makes the impossible possible through the art of illusion.

Living in Northern Italy, Luce found work as a makeup artist for at least the past 15 years for media company SKY. He earns about €1,000 (about $1,115) a month applying makeup on people such as celebrities, politicians, and journalists.

But five years ago, he began spending the quiet hours of the workday to use his own body as a canvas for his surrealistic designs. Starting with illustrations on the palm of his hand, Luce eventually moved his work to his forehead, a space that had been cleared from hair since he cut it a decade ago.

Moon and its reflection in water illusion by Luca Luce on his forehead. (Photo: Courtesy of Management Aldo Coscarella)

Now, TV shows are paying him €2,000 just for an appearance.

“My greatest passion is design, and from there, everything took off,” said Luce. “Now, I’m famous all over the world. Whomever is in my (makeup) sector recognizes me.”

A step-by-step process of The Ring being sketched on Luca Luce's palm with a pencil. (Photo: Courtesy of Management Aldo Coscarella)

THE DESIGN PROCESS

Depending on the size and scope, the native Italian takes somewhere from an hour to two to complete his designs, for which he completes at least one a week to maintain his Instagram numbers. He spends on average €600 a year for all the makeup products he needs for his designs. Instead of going to a fancy studio or a media green room, Luce relies on a black tarp in his bathroom and his own hand to bring his creations to life. The jet, black tarp along with the lights set up create a chiaroscuro effect that allow his creations to trick the untrained eye into seeing three-dimensional shapes.

Divided head illusion by Luca Luce (Photo: Courtesy of Management Aldo Coscarella)

“Many women stop me on the street to ask me, ‘How do you do it?’ to basically ask, ‘We can’t even put our own mascara in the mirror,” said Luce. “It all starts from a pencil and from a design.”

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Luce first picked up a brush and began painting at the age of five. One of his biggest supporters throughout his career was his father, Nazzareno Giuseppe, who used to bring his son to events where Luca would present his art demonstrations. Four years ago, __ Luce passed away.

Luca Luce (R) with his father Nazzareno Giuseppe (C) and sister Caterina (L). (Photo: Courtesy of Luca Luce)

Ever since, the younger Luce is certain his father is influencing his best work yet.

“Everything that is happening is since he’s been gone. So I am convinced that my dad is helping me in some manner,” said Luce. “I am very convinced of this.”

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