To face paint children, you will need a few basic supplies, some patience and creativity. You can build on the creativity later as you get more confident. There isn’t a problem sticking to a curated list of designs. The basic supplies can be added to later as you expand your creativity.
Gather your supplies.
You will need a face paint palette with a variety of colours, as well as sponges, brushes and stencils. You can start off small and as you gain confidence and level up your skills expand the number of tools. Different stencils, a greater range of colours and more brushes can all come later. Start small and see how you get on. You will be learning very quickly in which direction to expand the tools and colours you need. A typical, reasonably priced starter kit by Snazaroo is available on eBay which is ideal to see how you get on before any big cost outlays.
Colours
Starting off with some basic colours is often an easy first step. With a few basic colours, you can cover a wide range of popular themes. Black, White and Red are a good start to expand on. You can infill with white outline with black, and add rosy cheeks or a red nose with Red. Zebras work with just black and white while Yellow and oranges are great for tigers. Green is popular for Minecraft. Among Us uses primary and secondary colours, light blue with black outlining. Fairies benefit from some glitter.
If you have young children of your own or friends with children then you will know what is currently popular for that age group. Selecting colours from the popular children’s themes of the time can help you cover many bases. As you browse through the designs available, think of how you can optimise your initial facepaint colour collection.
The better brands, like my favourite, Snazaroo are mixable. The colours can be combined to produce further shades that you can use to make even more designs.
Sponges
A dampened sponge that has been squeezed to remove dripping water is good for applying large areas of colour.
You may also want to have some cotton swabs or makeup remover on hand in case of mistakes. Keep in mind that children may have allergies or sensitive skin, so it’s important to use face paint and removers that are non-toxic and hypoallergenic. You can’t rely on the child or even the guardian of the child to know if there are any allergies.
Your face painting may be their first. You want your work to be memorable for all the right reasons. We recommend and use the Sanzaroo brand of face paint. Avoid the unbranded Chinese kits from eBay with unknown ingredients, that look to good to be true. Stick to the best brands to be safe.
Brushes
You can use brushes for the finer detail and outlining. This is optional because you may find that you can get what you need from stencils. It is useful to have at least one brush and clean them between each child. A selection of brushes will make it quicker to keep them clean and not mix the colours. It will also open up the level of designs you can accomplish.
Stencils
The stencils are a real help. If you are unsure of your skills or just need that helping hand, stencils are for you. You don’t need to freehand the face painting and you don’t need to be creative, but you can if you want. The stencils guide you to producing a perfect facepaint. Have a look at them on Amazon to find some you like. They can be disposable or available as a wipe-clean reusable type. Think which would be best for how you work. They are very cheap for the help they give. Stencils can be your trade secret.
Choose the design
Next, let the child choose the design. This step can be a big one for a child. It could be their favourite animal or just being allowed to make a choice for themselves can have an impact. Only offer the designs you want to facepaint and that you also have the colours for. Avoid disappointment by removing unachievable designs from your portfolio before you attend. Don’t forget that face painting is fun. Not just for the child, but for you too. Seeing your face painting come to life with a smile. It doesn’t need to be perfect, you can have a large degree of artistic license.
Seasons
Facepainting has it favourites like unicorns and computer game characters but you also get the change in the seasons to prepare for. Here are a few ideas for you;
World Book Day
Easter
Halloween
Christmas
These popular events can bring their own themes that may need a colour that you don’t already have.
Painting the face
A General rule is:
Light colours first provide a base and it is easier to overlap a darker colour over a lighter colour.
Black is good for outlining with a brush to make the face painting stand out. Not all designs need black, but contrasting shades can be eye-catching.
Tip:
Hair can get in your way, long hair, fringes or just lots of hair. An Alice band can keep the hair from the face temporarily as you complete your masterpiece.
Consistent background
A large white area with a moistened sponge will bring a greater contrast of colours that are applied on top. The White can act as a consistent basecoat to make your work stand out.
The bold black line can also cover the join between two different colours making the finished design look much neater than it originally was.
Stencil the design
You can use stencils to create simple shapes and designs, or you can freehand more complex ones. As you start off you may want to use stencils but you will soon be free-handing your take on the designs. Work slowly and carefully to avoid any mistakes. You can judge yourself how quickly you need to work by how settled the child is.
Begin
To begin, have the child sit in a chair or on a stool in front of you. Use a damp sponge or brush to apply a thin layer of face paint to the desired area. Work slowly and carefully, and make sure to blend the edges of the paint to avoid a harsh, unnatural look. Many of the top branded starter kits come with detailed step-by-step stages of their designs.
Details
Once the base layer is applied, you can add details and embellishments with smaller brushes or sponges. Use different colours and techniques, such as blending or sponging, to create a unique and colourful design. You can also use glitter or shimmery face paint to add some sparkle to the design.
Finished
When you’re finished, step back and admire your work. No doubt the guardian will want to take a photo of the child to remember their special face paint design. Ask permission to also take a photo if you don’t have this facepainting creation in your portfolio. Don’t be offended if they decline or later change their minds and ask for deletion. Be amenable, you need good words to get around about your professionalism to bring more bookings.
Face Paints removal
Tell the child’s guardian how to remove the facepaint. You can find this information on the instructions for facepaint, found on the packaging. All the best children’s facepainting products will only require soap and water to remove the paint and wash out of clothing on a normal cool wash. You could print the facepainting clean-up instructions on the back of your business card. This will give you another chance to get your contact information into the hands of more potential customers.
Have fun
Face painting children should be a fun and rewarding experience for both the child and you, the face painter. With a little practice and creativity, you can create beautiful and imaginative designs that children will love. It will boost your confidence in the work you do and the interactions you have with parents and children alike.
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