Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541402
24 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2026 PHOTOS COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. FACES OF HEROES B Y A L E X E I D M I T R I E W D E P A R T M E N T H E A D M A K E - U P SUPERMAN SUPERMAN Main photo: Alexei Dmitriew applies make- up to David Corenswet as Superman. Insets, L-R: Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific; Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho; Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl; Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner; and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luther. Being asked by James Gunn to head the make-up department for a Superman film was truly a dream come true. From traveling to the icy landscapes of Svalbard, Norway, to finishing in Cleveland— the birthplace of Superman— this project embodied the kind of challenge I live for. With an incredible team handling both contemporary looks and complex FX work, we set off on a super adventure. What followed was months of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, all in service of bringing these iconic characters to life in a way that felt fresh, powerful, and real. What I loved most was how Gunn gave his Superman a more human quality—someone we could all relate to. That humanity meant Superman was dragged through hardship, requiring multiple stages of looks that pushed my team and myself to find inventive solutions. In Svalbard, the northernmost settlement in the world, we shot the opening scene in brutal conditions. On our first day, temperatures dropped to –20°F. We had tested prosthetics and blood products in deep freezes, but nothing could fully prepare us for working skin and hands in that environment. I relied on Bondo prosthetics and Dudman blood, which I kept in insulated, heated packs alongside foundation and FX palettes. Later, when Superman enters the Pocket Universe and is poisoned by Kryptonite, I used my Visort palette and Armani foundation to contour and pale him out, creating a sickly, weakened look. Two stages of prosthetics provided by Legacy further withered his appearance. The first involved swollen silicone eyes paired with the pale make-up. The second, more extreme stage layered in silicone appliances across his cheeks, forehead, chin, upper lip, neck, and hands, along with lace brows to enhance the deterioration. Kevin Kirkpatrick and I applied this final stage together. For Clark Kent and Superman's natural tone, I kept David looking healthy and grounded. His skin was prepped with Kiehl's moisturizer, and Armani Luminous Silk foundation—a few shades warmer than his natural complexion— gave him the heroic vitality audiences expect. For Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, key make- up artist LuAndra Whitehurst designed and applied a look that captured the character's grounded intelligence and sharp edge. Lois is a no-nonsense journalist, and her make-up needed to reflect that realism while still carrying enough polish to hold up on screen. The inspiration began with costume designer Judianna's earthy jewel tones, which provided the foundation for the palette. LuAndra built on those colors with timeless, understated choices that enhanced Rachel's natural beauty without pulling focus. Chantecaille's "Happy" blush became a key element, delivering a luminous, soft glow. Tower 28's "Power Hour" layered on an earthy warmth that tied perfectly to the costumes. For the eyes, MAC's "Groundwork" Paint Pot sculpted subtle depth, while Ilia's "After Midnight" mascara— one of Rachel's own favorites—provided soft definition that kept the look clean and unfussy. The lips stayed fresh and understated with Burt's Bees Tinted Balm in "Sweet Violet" for a natural flush, finished with Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip in 3C for quiet structure. Together, these choices created a look that felt effortless yet strong—perfectly embodying Lois Lane's timeless, confident presence. For Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, Matt Sprunger and I collaborated to design and