At what point do I start charging??

Hi all,
Ok so I am really new to this forum and haven't posted any pics of my work, coz I'm too scared!! But I've been practising and painting away for a while now. On Sat, I painted faces for a friends childs birthday party (for free, actually was paid in a bottle of wine!) and many people were very complimentary and were asking how much I charged. The answer to that is...I don't! Not yet! I am booked in for a face painting course in July, and a one day course this Wed coming and until I do them, I kinda feel like I can't charge yet. Also, when people are saying nice things about the face I just painted, all I can see is the mistakes and the things I'd like to do better!! Is this normal??!!! At what point do you know you're good enough?! I know I'm a bit slow, coz I like it to be perfect, I think I do a good job but I want it to be great. Anyway, just throwing my feelings out there, as I feel really torn as to when I can actively seek jobs, paid jobs! All comes down to self-confidence???? Ok, will stop babbling now....hope you're all having a great day/night whereever you are
Rose xo

Start charging. I have a friend that has started painting with me, she is fresh, not fast, and just learning designs. Her art, to a seasoned painter may look a beginner stage, but to the child and the parent, THEY LOVE it! This was the way it was when I started too, I knew I could do better and eventually did, but while I was growing (still growing) I began to charge money because, the people didn't care that it was perfect, they just enjoyed it.

My friend was asked about a job 4 us the other day, I cannot do it but told her, she should go for it, but told her she should charge.

If you don't charge, people might start taking advantage of you. Not appreciating your work or valuing you. Also, you will need to grow your kit and buy new products, travel, eat, all kinds of expences go with being a face painting artist.

Now, deciding what to charge is up to you. You will need to think about how many kids you can paint. Also, since you are new, you can start out lower and raise when you tune your skills up and your speed. But raise it when you are more confident. You don't want to undercut another artist that might be working in your area.

Compared to many on here, I am a newbie too. I'm sure that they will hop on here too with loads of wonderful advice.


this forum has been an amazing teaching tool for me. God bless you and have fun!

I totally agree with Jody. I had that same feeling you have when I first started charging...and I'm still new don't get me wrong lol I'm still really rough around the edges but I have specific designs that I know I can rock now and have those on display for parties (if i do another rainbow butterfly i might scream lol)

I did what Jody said too. I started with a lower rate and raised it when i felt I deserved more (I got faster and my skill improved some). I was shocked when people were willing to pay my raised rate. I was like are you just messing with me? you're really going to pay me what i think i'm worth? I didn't really advertise that I was available when I was at my lower rate because I was afraid of undercutting people. The parties I did were for family friends and the like. It was when strangers from their parties started wanting me that I got that confidence boost that I was ready. I'm rambling lol i'll shush now.

...start charging lol

Yes..charge away..I laugh now beacuse only a few months ago I was charging with $2 shop paint..(the most awful paint ever) I even did a coporate christmas due with them and made $200..hahaha..I cringe at the photo's now but everyone was really happy..GO FOR IT....We will always be getting better at what we do..always something to improve on ..upskill to...and thats what I love about it.. Dont be scard to post your pics..Everyone here will only offer you help and lavish you with their kind support...and Welcome to the forum too.

Fake it till you make it baby!!! Can you tell I love that phrase?
If the parents like your work, that is what counts!
If you *act* like you aren't worth much, you will be treated as such.
If you act like you have been doing this a lifetime, then they will believe you.
I have paid for some craptastic face painting that I though was great!

Point is... start charging! Don't devalue your time or talent

I have no idea as I don't charge either. I usually do it as a gift for friends. I feel like my work isn't suited for charging. However I have to agree with Jody. You do start to feel taken advantage of. I recently did a party of 30 kids. Worked my but off for about 2 hours. Only to have the kids take a group shot. Then wash everything off so they can jump into a pool. It made me sad. Needless to say If I know its a pool party I will not volunteer my time or paint.

Angela, that's not feeling good when they wash your work off immediately. I wouldn't like it when paid either.
Rose, I think I'm at the same point as you are. Not charging, but many people asking if they can hire me. Don't know what to do. I allready have a job that makes enough money, so for me painting is just a hobby. But I don't want people taking advantage of me, so i'm thinking of charging, but how much? I'm from the Netherlands and people don't pay as much here as in the US.

Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement everyone! Everything you say makes perfect sense, I think once I have got the first paid gig over and done with, it might become easier? hopefully! Nancy, I have no idea what the going rate might be in the Netherlands! If there is anyone else working as a face painter, it might help to research how much they charge and put your rate in the same range. But as you said, you don't want to feel like you're being taken advantage of, or undercutting others in your area either. Let me know how you go and what you decide, i'd be very interested to hear!

I would check out some prices and other face painters around Melbourne. I can see there are quite a lot around Melbourne area by doing a search. I do a regular PPF at our local Market and get most of my other work through there. My rates are probably a bit low so I need to look at them again.

I'm totally new to this too, and I just started for real in February. that being said, I come from a background in Marketing, graphics and corporate world. What I do is I have a sign that says " Free Face Painting, Donations Gladly accepted" and a tip jar that says " Thank you for your donations" ... and the faster I can get, and the better designs, the more that goes in that tip jar. I've been negotiating with festivals, and last Sat I made $140 in tips, working noon to 7pm, then again Sunday from 1-5 making $80, having to turn people down so I could go home! So I'm not ready to charge anyone. This is working for me right now. I know I can make more money, the lines were long and the parents, kids and event coordinators were very very happy. I just need to get my designs down. I have some books I keep out, and they are taking their time to pick designs, picking designs that are way to complicated, and also tearing my books up.