What would YOUR bottom dollar be?

Sassy Forest-Fairy wrote:Dear Karen,
I read that you are seeking volunteers for your event. Even though I am in Vancouver and unable to attend regardless I just wanted to take the time to drop you a line about the nature of professional face painting.

Having been in the business for over 16 years, and being part of an international online forum group for face painters, I can tell you that it's quite common for face painters and other childrens entertainers to be asked to donate our time and work for free for various events.

Although the nature of our business seems very fun and fancy free, and even looks 'easy' or 'not real work' to the casual observer, it is still a business and has to be run like one.

For professional face painters in particular, just one container of the high quality paint we use can be anywhere from $8 - $25 a piece not including shipping. We are also an 'in home' service and are required to travel to our clients, which is another reason for our high prices. You don't come to us, we come to you, and like other in home services from plumbers to a private masseuse, we are highly specialized. "Because face painting depends largely on an artist's ability to travel, a face painting business is expensive to run."


"While your face painter may only spend an average of one to three hours at your event, that's not the only time she puts in working on it. She uses some of her time to travel to your event, set up before it starts, and close down when it ends. This averages from 60 to 90 minutes per event. She doesn't charge you directly for this time, but she incurs it for every event regardless. She also takes the time to clean and disinfect her kit each time she uses it, cleaning her paint palettes, brushes, sponges, table cloth, and chair cover. She also spends time sending out quotes (to you and to other potential clients), managing a website, marketing her business, practicing designs, planning new designs, designing business cards and signs, keeping financial accounts, and researching and preparing for special party themes. Again, you aren't charged directly for these time costs, but the average face painter will spend at least 10 to 20 hours per week on them, and possibly more.


Other expenses include high quality face paints which are FDA compliant, your kit, liability insurance, chairs, tables, quality brushes, visual reference materials, canopies, table cloths, a camera, a website and a multitude of other supplies. The list could go on. Some expenses are optional, but most are important for face painters who want to stay competitive. Many face painters also invest in classes which are given by master face painters either online or in person.


Once a face painter has deducted all of the expenses listed above, which come to about 40 percent or more of her gross income, the government takes about 30 percent of whatever is left. Self-employment tax approximately doubles what a person running her own business pays for taxes over what a person employed by a company pays. When you split up what's left by the hours a face painter puts in during the week as well as the time spent face painting, the result is a modest amount which is far smaller than the initial fee charged to a client." On top of all of that when you hire a professional you are getting what you pay for with quality materials and application technique. Face painting is a GREAT way to pass around pink eye, mono and other illness's and germs. So most face painters are in the know about extra hygiene practices to avoid cross contamination and keep your guests safe. 

So in essence, when you ask a face painter to volunteer, you might be thinking of some one with some dollar store face paint crayons showing up out of the goodness of their heart because they simply love art. But in reality you are asking highly skilled and specialized artists (many of us have college degrees in makeup application), with expensive high quality materials, to set aside a Saturday (our most popular day to book), and not only for for FREE at your event, but actually PAY out of their own pocket for travel expenses and supply to entertain your guests at your event.

And PLEASE don't say "it will be great exposure" because that it just disrespecting to artists of all kinds, from musicians, graphic artists, and entertainers.

If you are wanting and planning on having a professional face painter at your event, then pay them fairly for their time. If you are worried about costs, then sell 'activity tickets' to help off set the expense. 

Or else buy some dollar store face paints and round up some volunteer moms to do it.

*** Found at: http://www.examiner.com/article/face-painting-sticker-shock