A bumble-bee and Ladybug enjoying the outdoor festivities
We've all seen face painting being offered to children at carnivals, festivals and other holiday events, and the children absolutely love it. You simply cannot go wrong acquiring your own face painting skills, and it's actually quite simple. Before you know it, you'll be the star of the neighborhood, and can even take this talent to the festivities yourself and make some extra pocket change. Below are the basic techniques and a few ideas for popular characters, which are loads of fun for everyone involved.
Tools
To execute your face painting skills as quickly and easily as possible, it's essential to have the right tools. Buy the highest quality paint that is listed as "Face Paint" and is FDA-approved. Avoid craft paints, watercolor markers and especially metallic-based paint as these can be extremely harmful to skin and difficult to wash off. You will also want one small, medium and large brush, a bag of make-up sponges and plenty of soapy water.
Symbols and Stencils
Stars and stripes forever!
By far the easiest face painting technique is the simple symbol, usually painted on a cheek. Symbols are usually created to represent the theme of the event. Patriotic events call for traditional stars and stripes. Sports events will, of course, favor the team colors and mascot. Christmas parties will call for red noses and candy cane cheeks. These are all quickly sketched on with your medium size brushes, and highlighted around the edges with your smaller detail brush. You can also choose from a wide selection of face painting stencils, available at your local craft store. Keep your brushes clean and wait for each layer to dry before adding the next.
Masks
Young girls are happy to be butterfly for a day.
Like a party mask, the colors should be vibrant and the design should be whimsical. Ask the recipient what their favorite colors are. You can create a butterfly mask for a girl, or a polka-dotted pirate patch for a boy. This design typically stretches from ear to ear and leaves the mouth and forehead regions open. Use your makeup sponges to spread the main colors across and around the eyes. Separate the design elements using a variety of colors with your medium and large brushes, and blend any uneven lines with your fingers. Use your smallest detail brush to create finishing touches such as adding glitter and an antenna on the butterfly.
Animal Faces
Grrrrr! Am I a boy or a tiger?
Probably the most popular request by children is an animal face. The most important thing to remember is to avoid realism, and focus on the obvious aspects of the animal being painted. With a sponge, gently pat and spread white paint across and beneath the eyes, and swoop up to a point just above the eyebrows. Create a muzzle with the same sponge, which starts just above the upper lips and extends to just beneath and beside the nostrils. With a new sponge, spread the color of your animal across the empty areas of the face. Using your medium brush and black paint, add the nose and any stripes or spots. Finish the design with your smallest detail brush and outline the muzzle, pointed eyebrows and whiskers.
