How to Do Joker Makeup (like Heath Ledger in Dark Knight)

Today I’m going to show you how to recreate the Joker’s makeup as it was used on Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight.

Ok, this is going to be a VERY long article–not so much text as video and photos.

Given the inherent complexity of doing this kind of stage makeup, it’s neither easy, nor simple, nor can it be explained and taught in 5 minutes, so if you really want to do this you’re going to have to bear with me and just be as patient as you can.

I’ve got the TWO (yes, two separate ones by two different people) best tutorials I could find online on how to do this, so you really do have the best possible single source of information right

here on how to do this. Also…is anybody else worried about who they’re going to choose to play the Joker in any upcoming Batman films (they’re going to have to pick somebody, the Joker didn’t die in The Dark Knight, and he’s a really important main character)? Alright, here goes…

The first tutorial: 6 part video series by a professional makeup artist

He shows you exactly what you’ll need in terms of makeup and equipment, and then takes you step-by-step through the whole process as he does it to somebody:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Second Tutorial: A really big picture!

Sort of. I found this on Deviant Art and thought it was really cool, have a look:

Source: Joker makeup tutorial by deathtoll1912

Additional Information and Further Reading

Here’s an interesting article over at Screen Rant about how the design for Heath Ledger’s Joker came about and a photo of him wearing the prosthetic scars on his mouth but without any makeup.