Chinese new years dragon/lion - wtf? how the heck!

just thought I'd put this out there... there are very simple instructions on doing those kabuki masks in the Usborne Face Painting book... it could go really fast full face rather than trying to do it so small in a cheek art design.

Hi is Cat who did the Brushstrokes 1 - I wasn't happy with it at all, was trying to do a 5 min design on a twitchy hubby... lost the pics when my laptop dies but am not bothered as wanted another go anyway.

I keep getting asked for Lion dancers as I live in HK! More often I just do big glaring eyes & fluffy eyebrows with a big chin tongue, the kids love it and it works. most of the other designs I have seen aren't feasible as working on the job faces...

I do a lot of 'line' dragons, goldfish etc, they work well, and the lucky money - all on Brushstrokes too i think.
But easiest/ best looking/ most popular is my rainbow dragon, do many variations.


Expect you know to beware the chinese stencils, most are labelle incorrectly...then again if you can guarantee what they say is way better than getting tod off/ smacked wrist for hand drawing the symbols and getting the strokes put on in the wrong order! (Its not a logical order, trust me).

Kabuki masks are a good source, but of course have to be symmetrical. Also note most herose are strong bright colours, baddies tend to be pink or pale blue or white which is why I get local boys wanting to be pink butterflies (grrr! evil!!!) a lot.

good luck!
Cat x

wow - that's awsome!

Thanks!

Yeah! I found a helpful thread! I have a birthday party next week for 6yo twins and they want ONLY Dragons for chinese New Year. Year of the dragon is a big deal yall'. I can also do Phoenix designs as apparently it is the female counterpart. Thanks to Vi for her China Doll youtube video- (I used a flame cake and called it a phoenix!) I have two designs ready to go. I've been working on doing a dragon face that "chomps" but having a hard time getting it to look right- well right without taking an hour- which led me to the forum. Good old Face Paint Forum- always coming through! I wouldn't sneeze at any other help you guys want to throw my way. Thanks!

Here's one that Pashur painted on me at the FPBA convention from his dragon book. I really like Cat's version though but this one is pretty easy. The little red things coming from his joints are flames.

Gonna give it a try tomorrow after the parade. They are awfully fussy things, chinese dragons. It's sometimes hard to really understand how to put it together because there is SO much going on. This one is simple enough that you can at least see all the parts. Thanks Denise!

Well, I've got two more... but I feel they're falling a little flat. I need something to oomph up the mouth breather, and help/tips on how to get the legs right on him. Both of these are painting at just under 3 min.(that's working it out as I go!) So I can add a bit and still have OK timing for the party. I'll take any help I can get guys. Please and Thank you.

I don't know if this helps anyone, but last year on Chinese New Year I sat around all day painting a Chinese dragon on my thigh. The pictures are here - click the picture to get to the album:



Here's one I always liked:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mfpt1yLt48&feature=player_embedded

Gina- I remember This! Great Thigh-dragon. Of course, something like that would take me forever! But the cloud thingy- How would that look on the first design I posted above in place of the Black tribal strokes?

The You tube link is great too- (though 10 min is kinda long) But it looks good without the legs, which are really hard for me probably because I'm rushing. Ok, I'm gonna try it again and take my time. Thanks Bakoodles

I love that one on the mouth! Maybe make the nostrils just regular and make the black swirles into whiskers? I like your feet but if you don't like doing them, you could drop them. A few clumps of scales would be good too.