Developing your own style

So how long did it take you god-tier face painters to develop your own style? After a year of imitating the greats and following ljy's instructions to the t, I think I'm finally beginning to find my own.


Here's a recent paint on the fly...



I like it! It needs to be laid out a little better for aesthetic reasons but I like the way it turned out.

I'm still working on mine.

I don't watch videos of face painting for instructional purposes at all. I don't really have an interest in copying someone else - I do when a client sticks a photo in front of me and says "I want that." But I can paint anything you want if you show me a picture.

When I started I had a couple of excellent face painting books - I would draw my own versions of the designs in the books and work from those, and I never follow step-by-steps.

I see designs I like a lot and I will inspired to paint my version of it, but generally I don't refer to the photo while painting.

I want to paint it my way - this is an artistic release for me so I prefer not to watch or copy other people's work. I don't mind picking up techniques or tips, and have been strongly inspired on many designs but try to keep my work my own as much as possible.

I've been to a lot of conventions and I don't think I have ever stayed for a whole class... I go to see a particular thing from that artist, and when I see it "oh, THAT'S how they do that!" I'm gone looking for something else or hanging out in the vendors room.

A style of your own isn't (or at least doesn't have to be) a FIXED thing.
I've been painting for 10 years, and my designs constantly change, evolve, ... based on what I see: a facepaint on facebook that has a new line, combo, element that I like, seeing how other artists do some things, a piece of fabric with a pattern that speaks to me, ...

I'm restless, not even able to make exact copies, because I always change things, add things, remove things, and in the end it turns out I just kept some elements from the inspiration, but made the rest my own

Sometimes I wish I could copy somebody--(I think I am just inwardly, pathetically rebellious)...another reason I like word lists vs. designs for choices. Tineke nailed it--it's always changing. I can't even ever copy myself. (But she said it so professionally/nicely!)

i'm definitely not god tier, but i've found my style began to evolve even while copying others.

part of it is that i copy styles i like, so they tend to be similar to my own style.

another is that when i copy someone else's image, my own style kind of gets applied to it. also, i may change colors or details to ones i like better, or place elements of the design in a different way.

then when i started to try out designs from scratch, all those practice things (style, colors, details, placement) turn it into more of an original.

there are a few designs i try to copy exactly, because i think they are so great, one is a spiderman mask i particularly like.

that is a nice rose design, the roses are done well, the colors go together well, and the details are simple and effective, not too busy.
i think it would look good a bit higher up so the top rose was above they eye, get that "around the eye" design thing going on.

it's a process. I don't think i ever like my own style because all i see are the flaws :p

I have the same problem FF except there are no flaws in your work lol I tried your awesome cat btw, it failed miserably. I'm gonna have to break it down step by step while looking at it I guess.

Dawe Kal, thank you ^.^

I really need to make a youtube channel to show how its done lol. Workin' on it.

Oh please do! I'd follow in a heartbeat!

dawe.... thanks guys! *hugs* I got somethin' in the works, I'm thinkin' it could develop into videos too, we'll see. It's pretty exciting what it is! Can't wait to tell everyone, but i'm going to have to let you stew for now. mah ha ha ha ha.

Oh please, please Forest-Fairy make a YouTube channel! I will pledge at least 50 views a day for your videos I'm excited to find out what you have in store! I already love your blog and posts here. Sorry if this sounds creepy, but I just really admire your advice!

Oh guys, flattery will get you everywhere.

Did someone say youtube!!!! YAAAAS PLEASE!!

This might sound creepy but I trolled your blog all day yesterday.. EVERYTHING!!!