By:
Face Painting
As the mom of a three and a five
year old, I've been to many school events, community
festivals and charity functions where the face painting
booth, no matter what else was going on, was the star
attraction.
So I began to wonder, why is it that face painting
booths are so popular?
Attention - All children crave attention. Come to think
of it, most adults do too. When a child is sitting in
the chair, the face painter is completely focused on
that child. You can just see how special that child
feels at that moment.
Creativity - Any kind of painting is an expression of
creativity. When kids choose the design they wish to
have painted on their face, they take command of their
own creativity and self-expression.
Individuality - Kids are expected to have the right
toys…the right clothes. Generation after generation,
youngsters are encouraged to conform to be socially
accepted. Face Painting is one way to express
individuality.
Fun - Let's face it. Having your face painted is just
plain fun. And is there any sweeter look than the quick
glances that kids take of themselves in the mirror after
a face painting session? That little smirk on their face
is priceless!
Face painting seemed like an awesome way to entertain my
kids on a rainy day. Face Painters make it look so easy.
I thought, "I can do that."
I had so many questions, but not a clue where to start.
I searched face painting on the internet and although I
found some beautiful photos of full face creations, they
didn't really help me much as a beginner. I simply
wanted to learn how to paint a flower design on my
daughter's cheek. I knew, however, that I could learn a
lot from the artists who create those kind of
masterpieces.
So that's exactly where I chose to begin. I wanted to
watch a face painter in action, talk to them, ask
questions, focus on their technique. That is a pretty
difficult thing to do in the middle of a festival or
birthday party, but not if you hire one to come to your
house…which is exactly what I did.
Hiring a face painting professional could cost anywhere
from $50 to over $200 an hour, depending on where you
live. But the information you glean will be invaluable.
Here are a few things I learned from my friend, the
professional face painter:
1. Do use the right paints. Don't use any paints that
are not specifically designed for use on skin.
2. Don't use cheap brushes. Spend at least $3.00 apiece
on a few brushes and they will last a long time.
3. Don't try to be all things to all people. It isn't
necessary to paint 100 perfect designs. A small
collection of 10 or 20 simple designs will make you look
like a hero to the children.
4. Do practice as much as you can…on people or on paper.
With practice comes speed.
5. Don't be afraid of making a mistake. Children are
very forgiving, as is the paint. It's easily 'erasable'.
6. Don't be nervous about fidgety kids. Speak calmly and
quietly and they'll usually stay still.
7. Do have fun. Face painting is a therapeutic, creative
outlet.
8. Do share your newfound talent. Volunteer your
services at events and before you know it, someone may
offer to pay you!
Article by:
JoAnne Westcott is the author of Easy Face Painting: How
You Can Get Professional Results Even If You've Never
Picked Up A Paintbrush. You can learn more about face
painting and how to acquire the simple skills to get
started by visiting
www.ezfacepainting.com
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