face painting supplies

[Wobblestheclown]

I am a beginner clown looking into starting some face painting.I was wondering what kinda brushes are needed to start off? Also are the wedge sponges the same as regular cosmetic sponges? Just there seems to be quite a price difference but they look the same, will they work the same?

[Markie]

Okay, here is what I'd start off with based on my experience so far:

- Paradise Chisel brush, and any number of smaller round brushes. Maybe a flat brush too.
- A handful of round high density sponges, some cut in halves, some in quarters. One whole one can be useful for some things if you want.
- Paints. Snazaroo is cheap. I like Kryolan Aquacolor. Those are the only two I've used. I've heard amazing things about Paradise and Wolfe though... Honestly, I'd probably go to Paradise if I was starting again. I have the liquid Paradise Detailz and I love them and they have some really nice colors. Kryolan makes some wonderful UV dayglow colors (though they're not actually cosmetic approved). If you're into powders, Starblend is great. Honestly, I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them.
- Don't think "oh I can mix colors" - you can, but still buy lots of colors, it'll make your life a lot easier when you're speed painting.

[saphireSue]

check out www.sillyfarm.com you can order supplies from them, but they also post instructional videos on there, I think 2 a month that teach technique as well as a design. Brushes make a difference

[Fitzwilly]

If you go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels look at the brushes. They are made out of different materials and the prices vary widely. The white bristle brushes look really neat but they don't seem to hold the paint that well for me. I really like the gold taklon brushes, which coincedentally are about the cheapest. Usually even the store brand works well. I usually use a #4 or a #6 round for general stuff and for very thin lines I like a #1 or #0 . A 1/4 inch flat brush can be useful at times and I also use a smaller Filbert (that is the flat brush with the rounded top.) I have 5, 6 or 7 of the #4 and #6 round brushes that I use with different colors that way I am not constantly rinsing out the paint, wasting a lot of good paint and taking way too much time.

[Bumbles]

A.C. Moores has some good prices on Royal brushes, in our area they are priced around $2.99 each, like Fitzwilly said go with the gold taklon brushes.