How hard is it to do face painting?

[Imzadi]

An acquaintance needs a face painter for a large kids party (and is willing to pay. ) I paint, but have never done face painting or used real face painting makeup.

Can I do this? What do I need to know? What about keeping supplies, like brushes, clean & sanitary between painting all the kids?

 

[lowie]

i'm not really crafty but i'm somewhat artistic and i've done this at school functions. kids don't require disney quality face painting. you may consider using q-tips instead of brushes to keep them sanitary.

 

[aribelle]

My kids (age 11) are taking classes in face painting from a lady who does clowns, face painting, balloons, etc. If she can teach a half dozen 9-12 year olds, well, then yes you can do it. I tried my hand at it one class when they were short a kid (they do each other in turn), and except for the fact that I'm absolutely no artist, I did fine when I stuck to shapes and geo-designs, but I failed miserably when trying to make an animal or something recognizable, lol.

If you buy QUALITY paints, not the kind you can get at Michaels/Joanns, then you are buying paints that have antibacterial properties in them already, and are dematologist approved, meant for cosmetic use. The cheap stuff says "non toxic" and that simply means that you can eat it and not be harmed....the quality stuff is too.

The very first class she demonstrated the differences (on herself).....the quality paint wiped off with a little bit of soap and water....the cheap paints she scrubbed and scrubbed and still had discoloration. She also painted one back of her hand with quality and the other hand with cheap....then we went outside in the heat (it's over 100 degrees here) for about 5 minutes......the cheap stuff was running and would be staining your collar....the quality stuff was staying in place.

She said, if you still decide to do the cheap stuff, then you should have a brush for each kid and should wipe the top of the paint off with a paper towel.

Regardless of which paint you use, she said that any child with open sores, including popped zits, should not be painted. She suggested doing that child's hand or arm instead of their face. It's for both the safety of the paint and the child's face, because either paint can sting on open cuts.

Anyway.....there are plenty of books to give you ideas for designs, check your library. You could probably also find plenty of designs and instructions online.

Quality paints can be ordered online.....some brand names to consider: Snazaroo, Paradise Professional, Grimas

 

[scootch]

for a kid party, you could really do simple things... like rainbows, balloons, butterflies(can you tell i have girls?) you can buy special face painting paint at any craft store(even walmart sells it here)

 

[MM27]

I volunteered to paint faces at our school carnival. 5 hours of painting faces

I sketched out some designs ahead of time so that I knew I was able to do them and I also had something for the kids to pick from. It sure saved a lot of time. Kids don't care if it's perfect.

I had fun, but is was exhausting.

 

[Imzadi]

The very first class she demonstrated the differences (on herself).....the quality paint wiped off with a little bit of soap and water....the cheap paints she scrubbed and scrubbed and still had discoloration. She also painted one back of her hand with quality and the other hand with cheap....then we went outside in the heat (it's over 100 degrees here) for about 5 minutes......the cheap stuff was running and would be staining your collar....the quality stuff was staying in place.

Quality paints can be ordered online.....some brand names to consider: Snazaroo, Paradise Professional, Grimas

Thanks, everyone. After safety, this is the second thing I was wondering about. I wouldn't want an upset kid coming up to me because after playing in the sun for 5 minutes (it's in the mid 80's here,) all the paint ran, or an irate parent coming up, because they realized they had to go to an important event afterwards, and tried to scrub it off, only it wouldn't come off. Now grandma has to see them with a green splotch on the cheek that is also reddened from all the scrubbing.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

simple to do,,,,,,,,,,,go to the dollar store and but a package of kids paintbrushes,(thin, like the size of a thin pencil) I use em one brush to a color, and discard em after the party.

hint............. dont use any glitter, it gets in kids eyes and OUCH! Just skip the glitter!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My daughter got a Klutz book on face painting, it has alot of step by step instructions in it and I think Klutz also sells a larger face painting kit if you want more colors.

 

[kimmay]

I can't help with the sanitary aspect of face painting because I have only worked on my kids but for ease (because I can't even draw a heart symmetrical) I use stamps. I take a stamp with a shape they like, brush on the face paint and then stamp it onto their face, actually I roll the stamp from left to right to make sure I get the whole thing on their face. Other colors could be used to add detail.

 

[Green Tea]

I have used just kid's non toxic craft paint for face painting. Worked perfectly.

 

[clownchk]

SNAZAROO!! SNAZAROO!!!

DId I mention Snazaroo? THey are THE BEST face paints out there!

They have a web site.. http://www.snazaroo.com/

And you can research simply, but fun things to do! I buy QUALITY paint brushes sot hat I do not worry about them falling apart or separating!

I've used these paints for over 15 years now and LOVE LOVE LOVE the color and quality of them.

Don't forget to bring lots of paper towels, baby wipes and a mirror!!

Have fun!

 

[DisNeeFans]

SNAZAROO!! SNAZAROO!!!

DId I mention Snazaroo?

Don't forget to bring lots of paper towels, baby wipes and a mirror!!

Have fun!

I don't know much about the paints, but what clownchk mentioned above is important. My DS school had a family fun day with face painting and I noticed they had all these things plus they used Q-tips and make-up sponge wedges to apply the paint. Easily disposable. Have fun!

 

[cjackearl]

I think painting some designs that you're comfortable doing on a page and then letting the kids choose from those is important. Otherwise, you may have to deal with, "I would like to look like Spiderman." Or "Can you please paint Pinky Pie Pony?" If you stick with things that don't take too long, you avoid the risk of not getting everyone painted. Some suggestions, depending on gender: Bugs, snake, sports balls, balloons, butterflies, rainbows, simple animal faces.

 

[Leigha]

I think the coolest thing Disney does to add that special touch is to dip in water and then roll the wooden end of a large brush in glitter and then roll it on the child's face - so cool! It's pretty easy!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

SNAZAROO!! SNAZAROO!!!

DId I mention Snazaroo? THey are THE BEST face paints out there!

They have a web site.. http://www.snazaroo.com/

And you can research simply, but fun things to do! I buy QUALITY paint brushes sot hat I do not worry about them falling apart or separating!

I've used these paints for over 15 years now and LOVE LOVE LOVE the color and quality of them.

Don't forget to bring lots of paper towels, baby wipes and a mirror!!

Have fun!

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO!

Snaz has a great website and a very reasonably priced "beginner" mom's kit. The paints are great, don't itch, don't run and last a very long time.
They also have a photo gallery to browse for inspiration.

I have been facepainting off and on for a number of years.
When starting out, make up a posterboard of simple faces and designs that the kids can look at and choose from.
Snaz and Funny Farm are two sites I recommend. They also have cosmetic grade glitters that don't scratch if you are interested in the sparkle factor.

DO NOT use craft paints. I know a lot of people do, especially at school fundraisers and such but the acrylics don't feel good on the skin and have a higher potential for allergic reaction.

Second the info on painting over cuts, pimples, etc. Don't do it but you can do nice designs on the hands, arms or even legs!

Good luck, face painting can be addictive.

 

[clownchk]

if you are going to do a menu board UNDER do those pictures! That way they can get the rainbow if it is very busy, but if it is slow, you can do the rainbow, with a sparkly cloud on one side and a shining star on the other!

If you show it that way you will have to to it that way every time.

And yes, you can paint any skin!

I've done backs of heads, arms (Tribal bands are popular with the teens!), backs, legs, feet, hands...anything goes!

 

[Imzadi]

Wow! Thanks again for all the great tips. I knew you DISers would come through for me.

 

[SalandJeff]

So glad I found this thread! DD loves getting her face painted at Disney and fairs, so I thought I might give it a try. Great info here.

Also, I noticed when they did her face the last time at Disney, the artist referred back to the picture as she was painting. She was able to look to see where to put the green, the black, etc. I think it made it easier than having to wing it.