Body Painting
Body painting or body art is not something I am new at doing. I use to draw temporary tattoos using gel pens for a couple bucks when I was younger. Was able to get candy from the local neighborhood candy store during the summer from that little hustle.
For events where I am painting live rather on a canvas or a body I always want to plan everything out. Beforehand I like to pick colors, theme, and medium i want to use. Has to be something i can quickly draw/paint in the time allotted. Easy to clean up when it’s time to pack up and leave the venue. I also sketch out what I want to draw/paint that night or at least have an idea in mind for when I get there. This also pertains to body art/painting as well. Even though I have done body painting before for someone else and did not plan whatsoever. Overall I think it came out okay all things considering.
I really enjoy watching art related tv shows/competitions. Skinwars is one of many reality art competition shows I binge watch. Watching those art related competition shows, I learned that it is always best to be prepared. Sketch things out to see how it will look on a body. It is so different painting on a human than a flat surface like a canvas or paper. I usually always make a headpiece based off the theme I am going for. I always enjoyed making clothes and other types of wearable art growing up.
The first type body paint I used was one of those cheap ones paint palette from Party City. I was asked to paint kids faces during a back to school event where they were giving away backpacks full of school supplies a few years ago. I continued to use the same cheap paint palette face paint when I was the after school and summer camp Coordinator at a non-profit I use to work at. The paint was water based which was perfect for kids. The paint I am currently using is from Blue Squid, CC beauty and mehron. I also have a variety of air brush paints as well that I am teaching myself how to use properly.
Blue Squid UV glow in the dark paint I purchased from Amazon. Of course because it’s UV, water base and not the best quality, to get the colors to really pop a white base was needed. It drys quickly was is a plus. I have used this paint during almost every body painting event i have done. The consistency is great just not a lot of paint in the tubes. Which is really unfortunate cause I have yet to find a 4 oz bottle of UV paint.
Mehron so far is the best paint I have used. Besides the metallic colors gold and silver which becomes flaky once it is completely dry. The other colors are vibrant and smooth. I only purchased the primary colors, black and white. I can create the other colors I may need. Reason why I only purchased primary colors is because these little 1oz bottles are expensive.
CC Beauty body paint is my first oil based paint I purchased. Only reason why I decided to purchase oil based is because I love oil based paints and i wanted to try it out as a body paint. The smoothness and easy blending is great. And you don’t need water to activate it. Only downside of that is cleaning the brushes while at live events. Another downside is it doesn’t dry as quickly so your model has to sit still to not rub it off and it’s best to have some sort of setting spray to help with drying and making sure it doesn’t rub off.
I am looking forward to doing more body painting events in the future. Even though these type of events are mainly for networking and you may not always make a sale. It is always great to practice, connect with other artists and photographers. You never know who you will meet that will give you the opportunity that will change your life.