OK, so this is probably a stupid question but ...

Are there any people here who are not really artistic at all (wish they were though), don't have much imagination when it comes to creating their own designs, but yet still they wish to pursue face painting (even if just for fun)?

I am one of these people. I mean, I think I'm pretty creative; I enjoy cooking, graphic design etc, and would so love to be able to paint faces using my own imagination and technique, but I'm not sure I'll get there. I find myself painting what I've 'learnt' to paint or 'copying' design ideas from what I've seen on Youtube for instance. I've viewed countless videos and spent weeks doing mountains of research before investing in any supplies, but I'm feeling a little down as I'm wondering if it will ever become more 'natural' if you know what I mean.

Am I alone out there or is anyone else in the same boat?

Is being artistically challenged going to be a problem? Or can one really 'learn' to facepaint, and does imagination develop with time?

I think you can channel it. I figure there are lots of great artists on the Other Side that would like to come play with the kids with us, and are just waiting for someone to work through...

My hands shake. I can hardly draw a straight line to save my life. I'm great at copying other peoples ideas but have very few original ones.
I just know my strengths, practice, and add extra glitter.

Practice makes perfect, true there are probably people out there who even after loads of practice, still aren't steady with a brush....but for the most part, if you have a desire to paint, you're probably artistic to some extent!

I don't consider myself an "artistic person" or exceptionally "artsy", I completely taught myself to decorate cakes and while my customers say I'm very "artistic", it took me a while to figure out "my style" and to start creating my own "design ideas". Don't worry, it will come naturally, keep practicing other designs you like, and one day you'll venture out and start changing them to suit your own "style" and before you know it, you will start creating original designs.

If you look at all the designs you see, that you like...you will notice things about them......lots of swirls, eye designs, mask designs, designs that follow the eyebrows, designs that sweep under/over the eyes, designs that follow cheek bones, etc. Figure out WHAT is pleasing about the design and try to not look at someone else's photo and paint something similar using your own imagination. I just did this peacock design today..and while I'm not entirely happy with it (because it doesn't have legs, and I'm not sure how it's feathers could possibly be in this arrangment in real life) I think it's "ok" and I designed the entire thing myself. I just started painting less than a month ago, so I am still learning and trying to figure out what "my style" is too.

Good luck, and give it some time. Work on perfecting the designs you're copying for now.

sweethavenarts wrote:I'm great at copying other peoples ideas but have very few original ones.

I just know my strengths, practice, and add extra glitter.

This!!!

I can draw, but originality is not my strong point. I consider myself a newbie to facepainting and while I can copy - having my own style is another thing.

Im sure it will "hit" me one day and it will click... until then... like sweethavenarts says... add extra glitter!

Yes, I've been an artist for 30 years and think you can "learn" to be an artist if you have a creative mind, a steady hand (which comes with practice and confidence) and you can pretty much balance one side of the face with the other. I will admit that a person with natural artistic ability will always have an easier time, but you can be a good enough artist to run a nice business.
As for designing, DreamWarrior, it WILL someday just "click"! In the meantime, don't worry about being super original or being a "designer". Here's the fast easy way to be a designer...look at your inspiration photos of a particular kind of face. Borrow some elements you like from this one, then that one, put them together in one face. Voila! Original designed face without having to be a total designer!

With practice you will get better in all the ways, even you will be creating your own designs, I am good at copying too, but when I need to come up with a special menu for a release movie, I can make my own designs, some times I look on internet for a special design and I don't find it then I do what I think is my "unique" creation only to find out and oldest picture that looks exactly like mine, I think is almost impossible to be original most of the popular designs are a take of the other artists.

I wished I could be so creative I made my own designs, but I'm also copying. Not always completely, but I'm not able (yet?) to come with my own...
Think my wuppies are the most original things I paint, but even for that I sometimes use Google for inspiration.
Still love facepainting and will continue that!

Thanks everyone for your input. It makes me feel so much better to know I'm not entirely alone on some level I certainly intend to keep on practising as I really do enjoy painting a lot (I find it kind of relaxing too). I'll definitely remember the glitter tip too LOL!

Definitely don't forget the glitter....(In my best Paula Dean southern drawl.....Glitter makes it better!!!)

Nope. I'm the same way. When people ask me about "real" art and that I must be an "artist" I say thank you but the truth is that I find face painting more like tole painting and calligraphy...shapes and bits and pieces put together in different combinations that create "originality" similar to notes on a piano can make endless combinations but they are all a key, hammer & string....

I depend on the "designers" like Mark Reid, Christina Davison, Pashur, Marcela, Wolfe Brothers, Heather Green, Lisa Joy Young, Jenny Saunders and a lot of our FPF peeps to create the "fashions" and then I customize them to my strengths and my market demands. Like Heather and Shannon Fennell both had these darling tropical sunset eyes...so I combined them and made a one-stroke version that was simpler for me to do and it's been a favorite on my board all summer.

I think we had a whole thread on this but here's two pictures to show what a difference a year and a half of dedicated practice will do. I would suggest that you sign up for FABAtv. You can do it for only a month if that's all you can afford (cancel two weeks before the next billing) but it would be a great investment during the slow winter season when you can take the time to take the classes. Make sure you paint along. And now for my embarrassment...

My first painted butterfly:


A recent butterfly:

I am also in that boat. I have a hard time "creating" my own designs. This forum helps so much and I am so appreciative of the inspiration and talent on here. I always envied people who could just think it, and make it come out of their hand. I think the ladies are totally right, keep practicing and you will find your groove and the Magic will happen. I still struggle with making butterflies lovely, and cringe when a child asks for a unicorn or "my little pony".

Oh my goodness, I am copying like a Xerox machine! There's nothing wrong with that. In any creative skill, you have to learn the basics before you can branch out.

I am a pretty good knitter -- I can do my own designs, or modify someone else's to create the effect I want. At my knitting group, I am the absolute authority. But I started out, like most people, making a dishcloth in garter stitch. Then a dishcloth in stockinette. A ribbed scarf, and a baby sweater. I started changing color, then yarn gauge and stitch pattern. And then one day, it just seemed easier to make my own pattern than to keep modifying someone else's.

I think the same thing will happen with face painting. I'll copy and practice and learn the elements. Already, I can see "that's a three teardrop unit" or "swish, then teardrop, then dot". And then I'll decide to do an owl, or a Marie Antoinette mask, and I won't bother to look up a photo, I'll just make up my own. It may not be for another year, but it WILL happen. And it will for you, too, if you hang in there.


P.S. As far as being "unartistic", I cannot draw even basic shapes consistently. I'm really good at Draw Something because I have years of practice with stick people. Half the time my stick guy's head is not closed, just an open sort of roundish shape, recognizable only because of his happy face.

@ Denise!! Wow!!! Thanks for the motivation! Your butterfly is beautiful!!

Wow Denise, like night and day lol! I've noticed too that I'm getting better (and faster) every month. I can't wait till next year to compare my designs too!