Foamies sheets and tattoo practice skin

I've been using paper to mock up and practice designs and was wracking my brain trying to find an alternative. I don't really want a head lying around my house yet and I've read that they stain so not sure about that. I'm making my display boards with the paper mock-ups and didn't want a freaky stained head in all my pics. Anyway - a few days ago I ordered some tattoo practice skin as it was super cheap on Amazon and I figured it should be similar to the stuff on Silly Farm and other makeup sites. Well I tried it today and it's probably similar but it does still stain.

And then I was thinking... Foamies Sheets! I've already lined my paint case with them since they clean off easily and look nice. *They clean off easily* They have a skin-like texture (large pores LOL) . I tried my black sheet I had lying around and I LOVE it! Easy to paint on and easy to clean. It does seem to dull the paint a bit but I can photoshop that up. But really, besides having larger "pores" it really acts a lot like skin. I'm going to make a trip and try to find something closer to a skin tone!!! Best part - its SUPER CHEAP! and it WASHES OFF! I've been wasting lots of paper...

great idea! I can get those pretty cheaply, and then change out designs when I want. No more begging for models. win-win!

could you post a picture or a link to this type of foam sheet? Sounds very intereseting, i would have to find something similar in my country!

http://www.craftsuppliesforless.com/kidscraftsupplies_foamsheets.html

I see this site also carries a peach and a tan - not sure if I will find those colors at my local Michaels. It's often in the kids craft area. Mamakatrien, that's the best link I could find. Foamies is the trademark name so you'd do best searching for that. I can buy them at lots of craft stores here in the USA and also Walmart but I should think it would be easy to find them online in your country, too. They are just sheets of really high density craft foam.

Oh I also just thought - as far as using for displays I would scan or take a picture of the painting and use prints instead of the original so it doesn't start chipping off or smudging. I'm not sure how well the paint says on the foam (similar to skin). I've been doing that anyway but thought I would clarify for others thinking of the same method. Then, also, you only need a couple of sheets and you can wash off the designs and start again. My main impetus for this was to find something that I could "edit" my design more easily and less wastefully than paper. Now, if I make a mistake while painting or decide to change the design I don't have to start over.

So glad I saw this! I have been trying to work on new boards and my kids are good for about one design a day. I have been looking at heads and skin, but they are so expensive. ging tto hit up the craft store!

thanks! I think I found it, it is called knutselrubber here. Costs about 6 euro (=7,5$) for 5 A4 sheets. I'll look into that!

I used cardboard face cut outs from a school supply store. Did a farmers market on Friday, got caught in a thunder storm. Paint and glitter tattoo display boards ruined. Water and paper boards do not mix. Lol. Fat max saved the paints and was the the only stable thing in my tent.
I have some of the practice skin. I like them, but set them on something and they stained all the way thru and leaked onto the other one. I will check amazon for new ones. Thanks

yep - that's exactly another reason I would take a photo or scan and then print or use a photo print. Those still run but then if you have a digital backup you can just reprint.

I found these at Michael's yesterday. They are small-kid size faces, and the package has 3 different skin tones....anyone tried these yet?

Wonderful idea, thanks!

HAH! It's funny you posted that cause I found those too (half off this whole last week). YES I'm using them! I started thinking it would be so cute to have the little face blanks with designs on my board. I can fit 12 of them in my 18x24 frame and I may end up getting a larger frame for large events. But I think that size would be just right for birthday or small private parties and I can then easily limit my designs. In fact, I'm painting at a local Star Wars convention next Friday and was doing the designs for that:



I was using my actual face paint for these which works well - a little more water needed than on skin. It can smudge a bit if you aren't careful. They can be washed off if you make a mistake provided you do it right away - I also was correcting them with baby wipes if needed.

I have started using acrylic paint though on designs that have rather basic colors - spiderman, batman, etc. I do have also some metallic acrylic paint that should work for those designs. I tried a "bright" rainbow though, and didn't like it. Does anyone know if they sell flourescent craft paint? I might have to just use my kit face paint for those designs but really the acrylic is pretty good and then I don't use my expensive face paint. I am also worried about how well the face paint will hold up in the frame and with changing them out - I think the acrylic will hold up better. I'm ALSO scanning all my designs to the computer so I have a digital back up to print (and also to make my own little reference sheet so I can remember how my design goes )

But yeah - I saw them too and couldn't resist. Buying them half off is about the same as getting a flat sheet and cutting it out yourself. Only problem is you are stuck with that size blank but they are cute.

Why is it that my Yoda looks so mean and my Darth Vader and Storm Trooper look more pleasant?

Well, Vader looks like he could have cheek apples. But I think they are all spot on and I realize I need to practice my Star Wars characters.

Thats such a good idea I'm going to Michaels tonight Ill put those on my to buy list

How much were they after being half off?

Those are great designs!!! I bought some colored face templates thinking they would be great to paint on and they are "paper thin". My little girl loves them to practice on..Shes 3. I may have to try the foamie ones. I have 2 birthdays coming up would be great. You could probably seal them so they wouldnt smear when you are done. I would love to see the finished display board..

I'm going to try the acrylic sealer but may end up re-doing them all in acrylic... it's not like I don't have that paint and Lord knows it's much cheaper!!

I realized too that the designs look a little funny when flat like this. I think Vader's face will flesh out better wrapped around a face. I had the same trouble with Wolverine - he just looked FAT! So I thinned out the sides on the design on my display. I think though most people will understand that these are to give you an idea of the design since they are so small and painted. It'd be different if they were actual photos of painted people faces. Hope to have an album of those out too someday but I'm just starting out and haven't taken too many pictures.

They were $7.99 full price in my store.