First try at a dragon/monster types face mask...

I wanted to try something like a dragon/monster face that I could do quickly. I kind of made a loose, less detailed and far less professional looking version of Mark Reid's design. This is my first attempt. It took like 7 minutes though! I need to speed up and make better lines. Job tomorrow! What should I add to a desin like this, and what is the best technique for blending? Because my blending is VERY hit or miss. At least my face is now tinged a LOVELY shade of seasick green!

Looks like you're having a lot of fun while practicing and that's great!

As for blending, did you use a sponge or a brush to paint in stuff like the nose/horns? I would only use a sponge to lay down the base and maybe a chunk of the black for the eyes and the white of the horns. You could then take a small round brush and outline everything. To make things blend, you should lay two colors down next to each other and keep dabbing back and forth between them until they blend seamlessly into each other.

I practice drawing lines on my arms and legs a lot.

Keep up the great practice!

On a side note, it looks like you could use a little less water in your paint.

Blending comes with lots of practise. Again, use a good sponge, and work the two colors close to each other then dab a few times 'down the connect' lines. This blends it gently and seamlessly.

I think you might be using a brush that is too thick or has lost it's ability to come to a fine point. The only other thing I would suggest is to try to do the 'thin, to thick, to thin' on some of the lines to give the design a crisper image in some areas...like on the horns.

Heather B. from Silly Farm has Youtubes with basic line work and blending. They are good to watch while you are trying out new things! If DVDs are not your thing, get a book or two that has some of the basics in the front part....then let your imagination go wild!

You do look like you are having fun!! Keep up the good work and I hope you had a good day for your gig you mentioned!

Maybe also too a little scaling affect would be cool and extending the eyebrow too to give a more stern effect. I think it is a great first try though. Keep up the good work.

Ah yes, thank you! Actually now I can't remember what I used...I think I only used a sponge for the base. I have been having horrible luck with sponges and bases though...it must be because it's too wet. Thanks for all the tips! I would love NOTHING more than to be able to shadow one of you and see this stuff firsthand. It's not the same on YouTube. Oh and Ashley...its getting too darn cold here to practice on my legs, lol! I'm a baby about being cold. Come back summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and yes, I am having fun with the designs. Why just practice and wipe it right off all the time? I try to make as many funny faces and amuse myself as much as possible, hahaha. One time I went out with a lizard painted on my cheek (the one that has the mouth on your mouth and the body and tail extend up and around above the eyes). I totally pretended I had no clue what people were talking about when they asked about it. But really I'm doing this because I honestly do enjoy it. I could spend hours and hours and hours just looking through designs (oh I already do that). I just wish I could do them all!!!!!!!!