Face Painting Ideas for Beginners
How to Face Paint for Parties, Costumes, Theater, and Make-Believe
Aug 21, 2009
Learning to paint faces with clever and cute designs can be an artistic hobby for kids, teens, and adults. Face painting is a skill that can be learned with a minimal investment in supplies and some practice time. Anyone with artistic ability can probably become good at painting on faces.
Some people go on to do face painting to make money. Painting faces at fairs, birthday parties, and other fun events can bring in a part-time or even full-time income for those who wish to have a home-based business. For more information, see the website How to Start a Face Painting Business.
It is important to learn some tricks and special techniques before painting on people’s faces or bodies, even as a hobby. With a little information, anyone can enjoy the art of painting and creating new face paint designs.
Special Face Painting Paints are Safe and Easy to Use
Cosmetic grade products, such as Snazaroo face paints, will assure the best results. Paints must be hypoallergenic (unlikely to cause skin reactions), water-based (for easy clean-up), and good quality (to go on smoothly and remain crack-free when dry). Real face paints will avoid discomfort and make for a longer-lasting fun experience for children or others being painted. This is not a place to scrimp.
Face paints and face painting supplies may be found face painting websites online (such as the link above), at art supply stores, and sometimes at toy stores.
Gather Face Painting Supplies
Besides a good variety of paint colors, other items that may need to be purchased include:
- Good quality brushes in various sizes for detail work (round and flat)
- Make-up sponges for covering larger areas
- Chairs are needed for painters and those being painted.
- Cups of water are good for cleaning face paint off brushes, between color changes.
- Baby wipes are handy for cleaning up smudges and getting paint off hands.
- Other helpful items may be needed to paint more than a couple people, but these are the bare essentials to get started and to practice.
Learning to Decorate
Good resources for beginners are DVD’s and books available at the library or in bookstores, or online videos (try searching YouTube for ‘face painting’ and ‘facepainting’). These are helpful in learning techniques and finding face painting designs. Most will show step-by-step instructions. There are simple cheek designs (like a heart or shamrock), all the way to full-face ideas like monsters, butterflies, princesses, and superheroes (like Spiderman).
How to Start Painting Faces
Once educated and inspired, begin practicing painting on the faces of willing friends or family. One big advantage of water-based products is that after a face is painted, it can be washed and "used" again.
Practicing in the mirror on one’s own face works as well, but lacks what one face painter calls “the wiggle factor,” meaning the way children squirm and talk while being painted. Practicing on younger kids who you know is a good idea if you are planning to do face painting on children. Experiment with ways to keep them still, but happy.
More tips can be found in the articles How to Paint Faces at a Birthday Party or Event and How to Start a Face Painting Business for Money.
Being Creative
These ideas are good for those wishing to learn how to paint faces as a hobby or for costumes. There’s a lot more to learn and available about this creative art form. Also, once the basics are mastered, artistic folks will enjoy creating unique and new designs.
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