I'm learning to body paint!

So last night I did a live body paint!

Totally random and a bit nerve wracking as I normally don't do body painting. I've done one paint in my life and it was enough to tell me that I hate it. Mind you, I think with body painting, it's a process and not an instant result like make up. I had to build in layers and use new products that I'm not used to.

I'm learning. I believe the best way to do this is to dive right in and go for it.

That in mind, I went to an art gallery event and painted a model in front of people.

I learned the following :

1 - Have a clear plan of what to do
2 - Decide on a color scheme
3 - Map out where you want to go ahead of time
4 - Know the textures of your products
5 - Don't forget sponges and have to use cotton wool!

Okay, so there was nothing I could do about the sponges! In the last body paint that I did, I used paint brushes and lost five hours of my life. I quickly learned that sponges can help to get the paint on large areas fast. However, as I left work, I had a bag with sponges, cotton wool, make up remover and other bits in it.......I was stressing about something and I left the bag behind me! This meant I had to sponge on the paint bit by bit!

Not having a clear mind on concept in make up is nothing. I have often been given vague briefs by clients or not really thought things through myself only to do an unreal make up because I'm forcing myself to use new things or familiar textures. Body painting is different. You need a coherent piece which has to be planned out. I presumed I could wing it. I could not.

I hated the face design as I didn't have a color scheme at the very least. I wish I had because once I started the arms, I started using yellow and red acrylic paints from MAC which were awesome! In lieu of sponges, I used cotton wool pads (needs must) and it made an interesting texture on the skin. I also learned a valuable lesson. I haven't been the biggest fan of the acrylics due to the watery texture. I found that the cotton wool absorbed the water off them and I got a thicker texture. This had (oddly) NEVER occurred to me before.

In fact, I am now planning a second body paint this week because I want to see how the paints react to not having any water left in them! I'm into it! hahaha. I am painting a guy this time. Although, I have to say, my model, Dee, was a god send. As a make up artist herself, she was super patient and understood that it takes FOREVER to paint a person. I owe her a lot and I am very pleased with the result.

I added the straight lines to it after. I know on the scale of the world's best body paints, it's very terrible. However, I am keen to state, I am not a body painter but a make up artist learning. This is how we learn - by doing. So please be nice and write nice things or advice rather then a slam!

I have changed my mind on the acrylic paints now though! I'm excited to see what else I can do with them! I have the red, cyan blue, yellow, white and black versions of them. I also used the paint sticks from MAC which I have raved about here in the past. I really enjoy working with them. I plan on getting an entire shade range at some stage.

So yeah.....body painting is a new art for me but I'm keen to learn so watch this space!