Body Painting Basics
Introductory face painting tips for the experienced artist. Andrew Bedno - 2008.09.24
These hints presume you can already paint with acrylics and render most any form on demand, such as flowers, planets, buildings...
- Be hygienic! Use hand sanitizer liberally and frequently. Refuse people having unhappy skin, sores, scabs, acne. Sanitize brushes between subjects to prevent cross-contamination.
- Get good paints, water based only. For example a Snazaroo wheel kit, 14 colors on a palette. Or Wolfe Brothers or Mehron assortments. Good costume shops such as Fantasy HQ sell them. Any expense will pay for itself many-fold later.
- Get some good theatrical glitter, finest grain mica (as opposed to microplastic). Kids demand it.
- Good brushes matter. I use synthetics, pointed, in the 1-6 range.
- Always stock wet wipes and hand-sanitizer.
- Get one or more books with the basic forms: cat, bunny, dog, butterfly, clown, spiderman, etc. Some books do everything full-face, like with a white base coat, I've never bothered.
- Use a tiny mister for wetting paints just before use.
- Paint layers from light to dark to minimize bleed through.
- Color areas first, then apply outlines, shadows and highlights.
- Avoid mouth and eyes. Especially with kids use arms and cheeks.
- Use red sparingly, as it is the color most likely to stain skin and clothes.
- Add to your tools eventually: colored liners, sponges, makeup, ...
- Balance complexity and waiting time. Have sets you can do in under two minutes. Details the artist sees at a few inches disappear at a few feet anyway.
- Practice on some friends AND take portfolio shots. Halloween's a perfect opportunity.
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