Be honest with me....

I'm fairly new to face painting. I just wanted to ask how long did you all work at it and practice before you felt you were halfway decent? I'm getting discouraged, worrying that I may never be good enough to satisfy myself. I know I can make a child smile, but meanwhile, I'm cringing inside, knowing it looks like crud to me. I just finished practicing for 3 hours on myself (face, thigh) and I see no real improvement. I'm not an artist, and it doesn't come naturally to me. I do cake and cookie decorating, and I'm fairly pleased with what I do as far as those are concerned, but this brushwork really is a challenge to me. I have taken classes, I watch videos, and it just doesn't seem to be "clicking" with me, if that makes any sense. Thanks for letting me vent.

There's a hard one, cause I am always my worst critic, and it's the same with everyone. I looked to see if you had an introduction post... so I don't know how long you've been painting. Then I'd wonder what expectations you have for yourself. We're all on the same river, just at different points. And that's okay.

I've been an artist practically all my life, and fell in love with face/body painting. I feel like I'm moving at an acceptable pace. Being around here and paying attention to the seasoned painters has done me wonders. WONDERS!

I think the underlying phrase is that you can make kids smile... and be really really happy with that. The rest is basework, linework, and design... and that comes with time and attention, and we can help.

Hang in there... you're probably better than you give yourself credit for.

Hi I use to feel EXACTLY the same way! But let me tell you, it gets easier. I look now at the work I did a year ago, and I feel I am 100X better now. Some things you can do to 'perfect' your art are to go to some art classes. There were some right in my area FREE at the library, I learned what is called one stroke painting, it was amazing! She was a very good instructor, so I attended some of her pay classes after too. Also, go to the conventions, there will be a plethora of education there, take advantage of the classes as well as the jams that will inevitably be everywhere! There may be jams in your area, check yahoo groups in your area to see when and where. The you tube movies are great too. Plus right here on the forums there are many artists willing to lend a hand.
Best of luck to you! If you keep with it, the next thing you know, you'll be more confident! I promise

it's different for everyone as to "how long" before you're "good enough" ... I have to put those things in quotes because there is absolutely no definite answer for either one. We are all always getting better, so there will never be a good enough for most of us. And everyone has a different talent/skill level/knack for doing this stuff... some can pick up "enough" in a week or two to paint an event, some take months or even years before they can build up the nerve to get out there.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am the world's worst at patience. And I'm a Virgo (LOL), so I tend to have this "all or nothing" attitude that bites me in the butt. I know i need to just practice (it took me a long time before I thought I could decorate a decent cake). You all gave me some great suggestions, and I appreciate it. <>

I know where you are coming from, as I too decorate cakes for some extra side $$. The two arts are SOOO different in my opinion, you're really not being fair to yourself by comparing your success with cakes to your success with paint. I agree with everyone else that it really does just take time. Amazing results NEVER come overnight, and rarely do they come over any short period of time.

What materials are you using? What brand of brushes, what brand of paints? Those can be big factors as to what your results will be. If you paint with low quality brushes your results won't be as good as they would be if you use really nice painting brushes. Also, the type of paint may be affecting the quality of your results. If your paint is goopy, or overly dry you may need to consider a different brand, or revise your wetting techniques. It's all trial and error really, but if you tell us exactly what you are doing, we can definately help you!

Don't give up on yourself too easily, like JBax said, we are all our biggest critics. I've painted some designs before that I thought looked utterly terrible and by far not my best work, but those same designs have been more than well received by kids and adults alike. Just keep at it, you'll get there.

Pics would be great. This way we know what you're actually doing & where best to help. It sounds like you're practicing a lot. That's good. I can often look like a mass design from all the practicing I do. One night I'll work on even coverage, another line work and tear drops. Sometimes it'll be themed... flowers, butterflies, tiger stripes, etc. Jams are a great idea if on is in your area. I'm working on one now for our area. Conventions are good also. The forum has changed how I paint in so many positive ways. I'm excited to see what type of painter I'll be 1 yr from now! Keep it up!

Thanks! I am using Mehron in the little palettes, and I have Wolfe White and Black. I bought some of the shimmer powders in a palette, but they are so expensive, I haven't barely touched them! Too expensive for practicing. I have brushes that I have bought at Michael's in their art section and brushes I bought from SF, so I don't think they are cheapos. I have starblend in about 5 colors (not real fond of it as yet). I have that pretty shimmery pink that Heather from SF uses for lipstick on the girls (sorry, don't know the name of it). I bought the gold in that too. I think it's Wolfe brand. I guess that's about it....
I tried to post a picture here the other night and I couldn't figure out how to do it. I'll try again. Thanks everyone!

You might also check to see if there are any conventions or workshops you could attend.
Where are you located?

I'm in New Bern, NC. Not a real big town, lots of retirees. When I first moved here 3 years ago, I couldn't find any local cake decorators to hook up with, so I doubt there'd be any face painters (not many kids; I live in a retirement community-I'm old, LOL).
I took face painting classes with Marcela last year at Moose camp (I clown too). This year I'm attending TNT and will take some classes with Nikki Jones.
i'm going to try again to post a picture
https://i.servimg.com/u/f66/15/26/47/53/prince10.jpg

Bear with me....trying again

Hey! Nice job! And good to see you here.

Hi Perry! Hoping to learn something!

Nice pic. I like it. It sounds like you have a pretty good set up. Marcela is amazing. I got to meet her last weekend & she is so sweet.

Wow! That's actually a really great design, I can't figure out what you don't like about it! I think this is really just one of those cases in which you are your own biggest critic. You are definately off to a fantastic start, keep it up!

On a side note, will you be attending Moosecamp this year?? I'll be going for the first time ever and I love meeting people from the forums I'm on!

Oh, and BTW, welcome to the group!

Hi Punky!~ I won't be going to Moosecamp this year. I went in 2008 and 2009. This year I'm going to TNT (Clown Ministry camp) in Georgia. I'll miss meeting you, but you will have a TERRIFIC time, I guarantee it.

Thanks all, for your encouraging words. I actually posted my "best" pic, so I'm worse than advertised. LOL I guess I just need to get it thru my head that I need to practice hours on end to achieve any results. My husband says I always give up to easily.

Thanks, JBax! You probably won't see me post too much. I tend to lurk, especially since I don't know nuthin' 'bout nuthin' and can't contribute much.

Pinky1249 wrote:Thanks, JBax! You probably won't see me post too much. I tend to lurk, especially since I don't know nuthin' 'bout nuthin' and can't contribute much.

We all learn from eachother. Don't be so hard on yourself. I bet you are way better then you give yourself credit for. We all have been there.
Confidence is the key.

Just have fun. The kids never expect perfection. Neither do the parents.

glitterfly wrote:Just have fun. The kids never expect perfection. Neither do the parents.

That is an important point right there. 99.99% of the time the parents are shocked that you can get anything ont heir kids at all, let alone any form of artwork that resembles something. They'll be just as impressed as the kids, Just keep smiling and act like that's what it is supposed to look like, and if all else fails... (this is not something I often encourage) if it really looks THAT BAD cover up the mistakes with glitter and no one will know the difference, but I seriously doubt it looks THAT BAD.

to practice i suggest you tube. I practice all the time using you tube tutorials. It amazes me how good my stuff can look if i just have someone show me how to do it once. I normally practice for about an hour a day when the kids are napping. I've gotten so much better just in the past few months from practice.

And i thought your mask looked beautiful!!

You all are so sweet. I do love those You Tube videos! I use them for balloon twisting and cake decorating too. But I really need someone to slap the brush outta my hand and say, "no, fool! Like THIS!"

My only advice is to watch your colour combinations. On the mask of a princess, you outlined the eyes in green, then yellow and pink. Those colours look alittle muddy together. So, I would work on your colour combinations.

Your line work is nice...and will only improve.

Pinky1249 wrote:But I really need someone to slap the brush outta my hand and say, "no, fool! Like THIS!"

What??? Mr. T is on this forum?? When did that happen?! What, he has to corrupt world of warcraft and now this?? Is nothing sacred??? lol

Yeah, I lack that artist "eye" especially when it comes to color. Mr. T? Just in time for the new A team movie, LOL