I am now providing lessons in my home studio in Queen Creek, AZ, Monday-Wednesday for $70 for a two hour session. Includes lessons on how to use brushes, the best face designs to use for your situation, and how to make a profit face painting.

 

Call Tobi at 480-862-3375 to schedule a session. 

 

 

 

 

Most brushes can be found at www.Sillyfarm.com

 

Two each of No. 2, 4, 6 Round Brush (I like Royal Soft Grip SG 250)

 

One 3/4" flat brush

One 3/4" Filbert brush -see pic on right

One 1/2" Bright (looks like a short version of the flat brush)

 

Butterfy Brush - Specialty brush can only be purchased at www.profacepaint.com

(see picture on left)

 

Brush Holder

 

Caring for your brushes: Always wash your brushes out with water only and store brush side up, so bristles don't get damaged.

 

Face painting sponges can be purchased at www.sillyfarm.com and www.profacepaint.com and are very easy to find.

 

Caring for Sponges:Use one sponge of each color. Once you have finish a face, discard sponge into large ziplock bag and wash later with warm water for reuse. Go easy on the soap as soap can build up and cause skin irritation. Discard sponges entirely after 3-4 washings and start fresh.

 

 

Baby Wipes (Unscented) - I buy in bulk at Costco

 

Body Glitter- I like Amerikan Body Art Cosmetic Glitter at www.sillyfarm.com

 

Mirrors- I use fun foam locker mirrors from the dollar store, however, Sillyfarm has a great Acrylic Mirror that will "never" break for $8.

 

Small Hair Clips- From the dollar store

 

Panty Hose Bag- To hold sponges after washing

 

Large Plastic Container- To dump old water into if you are at a park setting without a sink nearby.

 

Water Bottles- I keep 4 with me to fill my water.

 

Container to hold dirt water you rinse brushes while painting- I found one I like at Michaels.

 

Two dark colored towels to clean your hands and water spills

 

Apron to cover your clothes

 

I like Wolfe Bros the best but they are not cheap! I use Paradise Professional Size Dish - 40g for alot of my sponging work because it is a great product and inexpensive if you buy it from Madhatter Magic Shop online at $5.98 each. Many hobbyist start with Snazaroo and move up. I do not like Snazaroo because it smudges so easily and toddlers can have this on walls and clothes in minutes. But it is a great paint to start with because it is cheap and has so many colors to work with. I would not use it if you are dealing with hundreds of children a year.

 

 

My first lesson learned was that facepainting was much like the art of watercolor, which I took in college. I use the same sable brushes to paint and the brush strokes used to create quick designs are the same. So for my colleagues that want to brush up on brush strokes. I recommend visiting the following links.

 

For a Round Brush stokes lesson, click here.

 

Once I understood what tools I needed to use, I got started practicing. Painting faces takes practice and patience. You have a moving target that may be hot and start sweating, may be nervous and insist that they look in the mirror after every brush stroke and can get very impatient if you do not finish quickly. This may mean practicing on a very patient adult in your home.

 

Once you have mastered painting over the contours of the face, move on to learn how to overcome the nervous ones. I like to tell my little ones that I will show them their face in just a moment if they can be patient for just a moment. Some little ones will expect an exact copy of the drawing they saw. Due to different skin tones and face shapes, that is not always possible. I like to ensure them that their painting is even better than the photo.

 

Once you have practiced a few designs, you may want to find Easy Designs to use for choices at a party. I have learned from local artist that they keep a file of easy designs and rotate them to keep themselves from getting bored with their own work. This is important. You may have to paint 4-5 children with the same design because they all like it. If you like it too, you will have fun doing it!

Here is a good resource for easy face painting designs. www.snazaroo.com

 

 

Removing face paints:  Now you've managed to cover your children's faces with the paint and want another go, you'll have to 'clean the canvas'. Face paint comes off easily with soap and water (or just water). Baby wipes are also useful - particularly for getting rid of small designs on the cheeks or part of a bigger picture to let you try again.

 

You will need to take the time to practice on paper, on your own face and on others. Each will give you a different result. The children will be the hardest because you have no control over when they move - even when Mom is holding them for you...just won't happen so prepare by making small lines and going thick to make corrections.