First voluntary gig in a more professional way

Within a few weeks, I will be painting at a Free Market, which is organised at my work.
I have painted at work on occasions before, but this time, we will be charging money for it. The money we get for it will go to the Youth Sport Fonds. So I won't get anything for it.

Therefor I am busy making a board with examples and business cards.
I have 18 examples on the board, is that not to much?
Anyone has other advice I might need?

It is a good opportunity to practise in painting fast, at least.
I practise at home too, but then it takes me a half an hour to do 1 face.


I am so excited!
Really looking forward it!!!

This is what I made. What do you think of it?
Does it look okay?

I also made a facebookpage and will have to work on a regular website too.
Step by step we are getting on my way!

Looks great!

Looks great to me as well!!!

It looks lovely, I only have 10 images on my board but only because I can't fit any more it! Haha As long as you can remember all the designs, you should be fine.

Way to go, Ella!!

Looking good!

Looks good but I would offer less and use easier, smaller designs if it’s taking you half hr. to do a full face. Lisa Joy Young has an easy dog on you tube where you paint the ears and muzzle only as opposed to the full face. and you could do a one eye butterfly as opposed to a two eye butterfly. There is also an easier “spidey” design for either one eye or above eyes only. Just my opinion, but if you feel comfortable doing all those designs quickly, go for it!

.I agree. Don't attempt to do full faces like a tiger, or even involved half-faces like the spiderman shown. add the statement "Today's designs ONLY" and offer ONLY the quickest, simplest designs --- especially since you won't be paid.

Well, that is something to think about. It is impossible to predict how many Kids will be there and how many kids want to be painted. As it is a fair at a child daycare center, so the audience probably will mainly be parents from the kids who are customer of the center. The kids will be in the age from 0-12y.

I have been thinking. People will have to pay to get their child painted.
With my collegaes we decided to set a PPF of € 1,--
As all the money goes to the charity, we didn't want to set the price to high.
But I have been thinking that there probably will be kids/infants who might want just a small design. (Just a heart on the cheek for instance). It would feel unfair to charge € 1,-- for that too, while a full face takes a lot more time.
So I am thinking of charging half the price for small designs.

Is that a good idea you think?

In my opinion no. It's not you getting the money, it's for charity!
I think 1 euro is very priceworth. Maybe make the bigger designs 2 and the small ones 1?

yes - I agree with l!zzie

I am wondering too if I should put up a sign too, with things like:

that every design will be unique and not completely the same as on the display.
That all the money goes to the charity.

That line about that the paint is good quality paint.
and so on?

If yes, what else should it say?

I wonder if there are differences in this mather between the USA and Holland?

Do you have these things on a display or something?

I think Shannon has a general disclaimer on her resources pager of her website... It could be a good jumping off point for you. Just check out her signature and there should be a link.

I'm brand new, but I just did a carnival at my children's school for 6 hours. We "charged" $1, and that was for a arm or cheek design only. I'm not sure how many people are expected to be there, but if it were taking me 1/2 hour to do one face, there is no way I'd advertise with a board. If there is a board, people will want the most elaborate face for the lowest price. The kids were ecstatic paying $1 and getting a moustache. Others we did snakes, dragons, unicorns, etc. We had NO board, and I liked it. It let the kids use their own imaginations and if we couldn't do it, we simply said "I'm so sorry. I'll learn that for next time but how about ax, y or z instead?" It is a way to expand your skills as well by seeing what people want as well.

May I thank you all for your suggestions, advice and comments?
Helas, the event has been canceled/postponed for now. :-(

There were not enough people interested to come. So today the organiser of the fair decided to cancel it and maybe try again when we are having our Summertime party.

So that sucks...

I will keep all of your advices in my head so that I will even be better prepared next time!
Thanks all!!!

So disappointing! But if they decide to so it you should be all prepared and ready to go!

Well that sure does suck!