Hey there! This upcoming weekend will be my first time face-painting at a public event, and I'm wondering what supplies I should bring along. :)

I have paint/glitter/brushes set up already. My brush is only used for black paint, so I was thinking that as long as I wash it out thoroughly it should be fine. I start getting confused when it comes to sponges, though - should I have one sponge for each colour, or use one sponge per child and risk mixing paint colours? I was thinking of using a separate sponge for each colour that is included in the mask the child is getting painted, and then throwing each one out after use - but that would be roughly 5-6 sponges per child. Does that seem correct? I know that the water I use for washing would become murky after sometime, so I'll be setting up 1 glass to clean the brush and another to dip it in before applying the paint. :???:

Also, it's at a Scouts event and there'll be a ton of outside-strenuous activities set up, is there a chance of the paint running if the children sweat? If so, is there any way to prevent paint running, such as a powder?

Sorry for the wall of text, I've only done a handful of indoor party facepainting, and only with about 6 children per party. I never considered how different it would be to be at a larger event! :oops:

Thanks for your help, please correct me if I've forgotten anything or if I'm going about the hygiene issue the wrong way. :D

From your post it looks like you only use sponges and then outline with black. I tend to use brushes more, and I do keep one brush specifically for white and one for black. I like to use a sprayer to wet my paint instead of dipping them in water than the paint. and I use baby wipes to clean my brushes between kids, my hands etc. [I use the huggies hypo aller. one.] I also keep hand sanitizer to use between kids. Although I think it is preferable to use one sponge per kid, I tend to use one per color. I do not paint over broken skin nor will I do one on a child's face with a runny nose I will offer to do one on their arm. I use a brush cleaner that is also safe for skin from silly farm in my rinse water,[ which I seldom use as I use the wipes].
Also remember to carry bottle water with you if you doing an outdoor event, water accessablity can be an issue so its best to take it with you. Don't forget your set up, table, chairs etc. If you have a tent/ if not check out where you'll be place will you have protection from the sun? If later in the day will there be enough light?
Face paint is water based so if it gets wet it will melt. Another thing, take plenty of business cards and place them on your table .. you will be asked about them. Great opportunity to hand them out for bookings later.

Bouncy houses and outdoor highly active games seam to be a must have at any event in my area. So I will tell you, kids running around sweating will make water based face paints become a mess. I've bought every kind of sweat blocker, setting powder and fixer spray trying to make the face paint last longer. My suggestion is the Krylon Fixer spray. If you allow it to dry dry dry completely before the sweating begins it does a fairly good job of protecting the paint. Once the paint is dry, spray the fixer spray on a sponge and dap it completely over the design. Less waste, better coverage, less smell. Now the secret is to allow the fixer spray to dry completely before water (sweat) touches it in order for it to work. I have another chair with a handheld fan for children to wait and fan before running off and playing. There is some caution as for getting in the eyes or using on sores, rashes or broken skin, but that's basic for all skin products. Soap, suds and water are necessary to remove it, but it washes fairly easy. I see nothing wrong with using the same sponge for cheek, arm,& leg art providing the skin looks healthy. But if designs are on or close to the nostril, eyes, or mouth I use different sponge and higher sanitary standards. I also agree with SaphireSue about water, brushes and such.

I usually have a brush for black and one for white and a few other brushes for the other colors. I might use the same brush for red, orange and brown since they are similar colors.

I use one sponge per child and don't have a problem loading multiple colors on the same sponge. If I am doing a Spiderman, tiger, or dog, I will start with the white and then turn the sponge around and load the other side with the red, brown, or orange. If I need a third color, I will either add it to the white side or find another side of the sponge that hasn't been used.

When doing a line of kids, I try to keep it down to 3-5 minutes a child. That is only 12-16 kids per hour, so unless doing a really long event, you don't really need that many sponges or brushes.

lots of good info here i found a water container on line at clown antics it allows you to get fresh water by pushing a button

I use only one sponge per child, but I can load up to three colors per sponge. I use the sanzaroo face painting sponges cut in half. I use the back rounded part for when I need to do a lot of one color and then one color per end on the flat side for smaller patches.

I use one sponge per child, cut in half is amazing how far one songe can go.

Sorry if this advice is late, but just signed up and saw your post and thought i'd add my two cents any way!

I like to keep a bucket of fresh water under my table, between children i will clean my brushes in my cup on my table and then after the child i will throw the water away and refill under the table (if out doors, and sunny the grass is usually a callin', if inside i will bring two buckets one for clean water one for dirty)
I tend to use a sponge per colour, and ensure they are replaced regulaly for long events. and i LOVE baby wipes, i use them to clean the childs face particularly for outdoor and long events or festivals, kids seem to like this too because it cools them down on a hot day or running around, and a wipe to clean my hands between children.
with big events your turn over has to be really quick, and efficient. I think you have to choose what ever is more effiecient for you personally. I have my routine and i like it and can do it quickly so i stick to it.

i would LOVE to hear how you went! i think big events are the funnest!

PS. the thicker the design the bigger the sweat mess, so i tend simplify designs, not display thick designs, and do more half face designs then full face designs.

Not a bad question, even if my response is late, late, late ;)

Public events are the best way to "showcase" your talent. I amd my fellow performers from MoonOntheWater Entertaining use "disposable" sponges for very large groups-we spray water, so our buckets are more like a portable garbage can for "chucks" or disposables. Hygeine is paramount, and it's really hard to tell if a child's sneezing is from allergies or a cold, even if Mom's insist-best not to paint anyone who might be contagious, has broken skin, or just looks a bit off(you Mom's know what I am talking about). You can also find shaped cotton swabs, perfect for a disposable brush, but rule of thumb-when you are in doubt, don't paint(directions and more on the snazaroo site)-temporary tattoos(the stick on kind) make a great consolation prize ;) so no tiny egos are bruised and you can use your favorite brushes(more eco friendly than the chucks).

And yes, advertise!!! Business cards, coloring sheets(we make them up, so email if you need 'em), flyers, and the like are great ways to give folks your contact info for party bookings.

If you're worried about the children sweating, you can use pressed powders for the colors. they work very well.