Getting Started

[Dylan]

What is the suggested method for learning to face paint for the artistically challenged?

[Fitzwilly]

Wow! Tough question. You can try to muddle through like I did, and have parents run screaming dragging their kids like rag dolls to get away or you can try a different approach. Try getting in touch with other face painters in your area (often this doesn't work well, somewhat territorial are face painters) so try your basic painting class. Your local high school, state college continuing education or local art store should be able to point you in the right direction. The main thing you will want to lean at first is brush control. Different brushes do different things (I know radical concept right?) I never even gave it a thought. To me a brush was a brush. I have found that for me brushed made from "gold taklon" seem to hold and distribute the paint better than white taklon or the more expensive sable brushes. Once you get used to holding and using the brushes the correct way go to the dollar store... At this point you may think I have slipped into a different conversation but look for the coloring books. Not the fancy ones but the simple, plain $1 books for beginning colorers. The pictures ave very simple line drawings. Find a couple you like and voila! Now we are used to drawing the picture and then coloring it in. In face painting it is much easier to paint the general background color in the shape desired and then draw the outline on top. Finally adding some highlights and you are done. Hope this helps. Actually I hope you can make heads or tails out of my answer.

[saphireSue]

check out www.sillyfarm.com not only for supplies but they offer 2 or 3 vidoes each month for free on their site that goes over different technigues and shapes and brushes, also designs and they arhive them so you could see several, I try to check it out ever so often. Mamma Clown started this site, now run by her daugher, a very talented painter, I think her names Heather [not sure though].

[Fitzwilly]

Heather is her Niece. She bought the business from Mama about two years ago now so Mama could concentrate on her convention, and her traveling and teaching.

I don't go to her site that often so I was not aware of the vids and the archieve. Thanks much.

[stitches]

Painting full faces can actually be easier than cheek art. Use a sponge to color in the large areas, use brushes to add details like eyebrows, nose, whiskers, stripes, spots, whatever. There is often less detail on a full face than there would be in a cheek art design.

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by stitches

Painting full faces can actually be easier than cheek art. Use a sponge to color in the large areas, use brushes to add details like eyebrows, nose, whiskers, stripes, spots, whatever. There is often less detail on a full face than there would be in a cheek art design.

I hadn't thought of that but that makes sense

[saphireSue]

Well I knew I'd get something wrong lol. Cool sight.,

[Fitzwilly]

I was talking to Mama Clown at Moosecamp about Heather and the business so I had it fresh in my mind.