The Facepainting community is one of the tightest, supportive and friendliest bunch if people I have had the honour of being part of.
We’ve been so supportive of each other, praising someone’s post or design, lending an ear to an artist who is in the verge of selling their kit and offering their advice when needed. This includes the year of 2020. We’ve been able to support each other even though COVID-19 has literally bought the whole entertainment industry to its knees. Many of us have had to seek “real employment”.
As the days turned into months it began to dawn on many of us that when we return that alot if not all of our kit will be out of date or nearing it’s use by. Now, for the amateur or hobbyist this isn’t a huge deal, I can shamefully admit I’ve a few mascaras and eyeliners that are probably older than my youngest child……. (psst I used one only yesterday!! 🤮) But, as professionals, we must use products in date and as specified. If we don’t, we invalidate our insurance. So, we face a problem. We need to work to make money, but to get work we may need to spend money!!!
I’m writing this blog to help established painters choose a select few items which, if used correctly can be incorporated into enough designs to get you by the first few months. Even new painters and hobbyists will be able to take the information here and build up a professional kit. I’ll be following this blog up with some designs using these items and step by steps to help create them.
Established Painters, We’re Not Starting From Square One!
This is important to remember. We’re not starting from square one! We have items that are part of our kit which have no use by date. Items which we can use safetly in a world where I fear COVID-19 may still be lingering in the background. We have our chairs, tables, banners and cases. All items, which we’re hard to get. These are still an important part of our kit. Ofcourse, if you are a new painter, these items are available from http://www.thefacepaingshop.com.
Paints You’ll Use Most
I’ll be recommending some specific paints to kick-start your kit. The paints I’ve chosen are for specific designs I have in mind. Now, it’s so important not to browse through looking at beautiful colours and choosing them because you like the look of them! You need to ask yourself, what designs can I create with this cake? If you can come up with one then great, but if you come up with two or three that baby needs to get in your basket!
My first recommendation would be a good black and white. Preferably wax based for line work. I personally love Fusion white and black (32g) for bold linework.
I’d recommend perhaps 4 Superstar paints for bases, these would be for spiderman or shimmer base to lay down a few flowers. I like Superstar as their consistency isn’t as heavy as some paints. I’d purchase a Green (16g), White (16g), Red/Valentine Shimmer (16g) and Glitter Silver (16g). Although they are only 16g, they go along, long way I promise! Here are the following links to each paint as listed.
The Facepainting Shop offers many, many, many beautiful split cakes. All fantastic for bases for anything. At the moment I’m concentrating on Butterflies and Tigers. Ofcourse, masks and eye designs would also be covered! Remember; one design great! Two or three designs…… Perfect! I’m a huge fan of the large Rainbow split cakes, from Silly Farm. The Facepainting Shop carries a huge selection, which can become overwhelming (in a good way!!), so I’ve chosen 2. I know….. I know….. At this time I carry at least 8 to 10, but I’ve tied it to 2, with Paisley getting an honourable mention as its so versitile for butterflies and tigers, especially if your working to a winter theme. I’ve chosen Pink Lemonade and Tango. Both perfect for butterflies and tigers. The links for both are listed below.
https://www.thefacepaintingshop.com/Face-And-Body-Paint/SillyFarm/Silly%20Farm%20face%20paint
I’d also recommend The Fusion Art Rainbow Explosion Pallette. It’s full of onestrokes, okay not full size ones, but enough to get you through a few gigs! The onestrokes it has are ones you’ll use though! You’ll be able to create Roses and other flowers, Rainbows, Teddy bears, Reindeers, Frozen Crowns, Sharks, Dolphins, Snakes, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Leaves and Flames. That’s just off the top off of my head! Here’s a link for the pallette.
Remember to keep an eye out for my next blog where I outline the designs I’ll be offering using these items. I’ll include some step by step pictures to help newer painters.
Starting From Scratch – Brushes
As an established painter with a brush fetish, I’m confident that when I return to Face Painting I’ll have enough brushes to implement a rotation system, where I can have a set of brushes “deep cleaning” whilst I continue to paint. Ofcourse, there will be newer painters who will need to purchase new brushes.
In my opinion, brushes are very much like men. They’re are really nasty, cheap and flaky ones out there and they’re some beautiful, smooth, well made and durable ones that actually do what you ask them to do! It’s all about finding them!! 😂 When you do find them, you look after them, you love them even. You clean them and condition them, laying them down on a soft fluffy towel to dry, ensuring the bristles are all pointing the right way and are all in tip top condition. You even take pictures of said brushes to make your painty brothers and sisters jealous!!! So, where are all the good men?? Oooops…. I mean brushes 😂😂
I’m particularly fond of Natalie Davies brushes for onestrokes. For an experienced painter you can’t really go wrong with her long bristles. That extra length is a great asset. Less reloading on the job, more movement in the bristles, it all comes together. Ofcourse, The Facepainting Shop have created their own long bristle brush for one strokes. This one is particularly exciting as its angled & 3/4″. I know many painters who prefer an angled brush over a flat one. As I already stated, the extra length does help create some fantastic strokes. Below is the link for this great brush.
https://www.thefacepaintingshop.com/The-Face-Painting-Shop-3-4-Long-Angled-Brush
#pinktips
I’ve a large selection of what we call “pink tips”. There’s even a hashtag for them! The most famous brush from TFPS is the short 3/4″ angled brush. These, in my opinion are perfect for newer painters. The shorter bristles mean you have more control to create the strokes you need to to complete these designs. They’re easier to load, which makes them perfect for a newer painter experimenting with onestrokes. I also use many of TFPS round brushes. Many of my cartoon designs are outlined using #0 round pink tip.
Look After Your Brush!
It goes without saying, if you’ve spent as much money on brushes as I have you need to look after and clean them correctly! There are many wonderful brush soaps on the market, which are specifically designed to remove facepaint from your brush whilst conditioning the bristles and helping to reshape and keep in shape your bristles! I’ve read many new painters using artist’s soap to clean their brushes, which may sound good in theory, but can lead to alot of issues. These are not designed for facepainters. Artist’s brushes should never touch the skin, so therefore the ingredients in these soaps are not the same. Many contain microplastics, which strip the bristle of the paint, often leaving behind abrasive microplastics which can then be transfered to the skin.
Here’s a link for a great brush soap. This will ensure you brushes are not only clean, but we’ll looked after! Remember after washing to take the time to reshape your bristles and lay on a flat surface, if you store them with the bristles facing upwards you risk the water running down the brush and loosening the glue that holds the ferral to the handle!
https://www.thefacepaintingshop.com/Professional-Face-Painting-Brushes/Brush-Soaps?page=2
Stencils…….. No Use By Date!
Established Painters will have anything from 5 core stencils to up to a 100!!! (I’m shamefully in the last.) Our stencils are reusable and durable. Designed specifically for the face, there are no sharp edges or rough sides. Stencils add interest to any design, and often when layered ontop of a smooth base can look incredible. There’s a technique to using stencils, so if you have had bad experiences in the past please look up stencil tutorials. I would never be without mine. The Facepainting Shop has a huge choice of stencils from many different companies. I have a core group of stencils, which I keep on a lanyard around my neck during my gigs. It’s so easy to mislay a stencil! I have; Dots for interest and shading, Minecraft, Fortnite, Mandala, Snowflakes, Mermaid Scales and a Fairy Shillouette. These will be used in my next blog, Designs to Reboot with.
Here’s a particularly great stencil for adding detail to Spidermans eyes, and other superheros. The descending dots really do add that extra bit of interest that lifts your design from hobbyist to professional.
https://www.thefacepaintingshop.com/Bad-Ass-Stencil-1217
Finally….. Glitter
Again, we’re lucky. (I know right who’d have thought!!! 😂) Most of us have glitters which will be OK when we return. Maybe not biodegradable ones in a mix though. Quite honestly, many established painters have too much glitter. I personally have a revolving spice rack full of colours, and Lord knows how much in pots tucked away! In all honesty, a new facepainter would need silver, gold and iridescent fine glitter for puffing over bases and the same again for chunky glitter, to add interest to designs.
As your business grows you’ll buy more and different colours, trying out different brands and makes. If you expand out into Glitter Bars you’ll have an absolute ball choosing from the abundance of glitters The Facepainting Shop stocks! A particular favourite among many painters, is Pixie Paint. A Unique blend of glitter and adhesive, which makes it so easy to use on the job! A quick swipe with a silicon brush and viola! Job done! Below is a link to the Silver Pixie Paint.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for my next blog, where I actually show you how to use these items. Once we return, we need to keep our designs down to 10 to 15, whilst using the items listed on this blog. Ofcourse, as we begin to earn, we’ll be able to reinvest back into our kits and begin to flex those creative muscles some more!
We’ve got this, it’ll soon be our time to shine again! Much love, Rachel xx
Professional Face Painter 