Sponges and Brushes

Hi there! My name is Minnie and I have just begun a face painting business with a friend of mine. We are artists on canvas predominantly, but are interested in making an income out of something related to what we love to do. We both have children as well and so enjoy doing it as well.

We are both new to face painting but feel pretty good about our ''starting level'' for painting. I can definitely see room for improvement in my skills which I feel will come with time and loads of practice! I'm really impressed with the photos I've seen on here so far in my browsing of this forum, and appreciate the space to share and support eachother.

My first question is about sponges. We've read about using a fresh half sponge for each child, and this would be ideal. I was wondering if anyone knew of where, possibly online, one can order loads of sponges at an inexpensive rate? They have packs of 4 sponges here at the local art store for about 2.50 per pack, so it seems like a lot of money to dish out for sponges, and we would probably have to special order larger quantities as the art shop really only carries a few packs at a time so I reckon it's mainly for occasional hobbyists and the like.

Also, we've been using the same kinds of brushes we can buy for painting on canvas. Do you recommend the face painting brushes, as in, does it make a difference of some kind, and if so, what has been your experience with that?

Thanks so much for your time and input in advance.

Artist's brushes are what most of us use. The face paint companies just put their own label on brushes they buy from the same manufacturers...

Sponges - I use tack sponges which are around $4/dozen. Or you can cut up those large car wash sponges... shop around. You don't need to pay a lot for decent sponges.

You don't have to pay a lot for sponges, but keep in mind it isn't really a reoccuring expense. Once they are bought they are bought. A good sponge is really an asset to face painting though so once you have found one you work well with, it is good to stock up.

I love the high-density fantasy sponges, but they are quite expensive individually. Look at the sponges shape after you cut it in half and think about the shapes you want to do. I discovered one in my research that is rounded on one side and flat on the other. It has sped up my painting 50 % as everything that needs a circular shape is just a quick press into skin and not having to "draw" the shape.

http://www.facepaintforumshop.com/servlet/the-38/Speed-Sponge/Detail

Another one that I love is one I bought while in the UK. I have been unable to find these here, but wouldn't hesitate to reorder because they rock. Soft wedge sponge about half way down the page.

http://www.facepaint-uk.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=385&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=127

Green fantasy: http://www.profacepaint.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=11 (I am not sure if you are getting 10 whole or ten cut, but it looks like whole)

The green one comes whole and are good. And they look new longer, because of the dark colour.
I have some of Bibi's wedge sponges (not quite sure which ones, picked them from a big bucket of mixed ones while I was over there) and they are great for small ground colours where there should be no hard lines. Like under flower designs, swirls and that kind of stuff.
I like the speed-sponge for covering the whole face, with sharp edges.

But actually I don't really find that there is so much difference between the different sponges, except for the shape. I can do the same with them in the same time, no matter what density.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Fantasy WW Greens and wouldn't trade them for anything else. They look good still a year later and they really hold paint and cover well..... I bought mine from ProFace Paint too and they come whole like in the pic. (I have tried Snaz, art store, paradise, and wolfe.)

I bought some wedges (little red ones) and still haven't used mostly because I haven't seen them used and don' t know their true best purpose.

I want to experiment with the eggy shaped skinny ovals that Lucie Brouillard custom made herself and uses. She was an amazing teacher that loved to "play" in the paint - so joyful and inspiring! Her colors and creations are so bright and beautiful......

Has anyone ever tried those sponges that come with compact face make-up like Lancome or Maybelline? I have lots of them.

Latex sponges aren't as good for FPing. I have some sponges cut in half and some into quarters. I also have a car wash one cut up. Watercolour brushes are good for FPing. I like sables but others like acrylic hairs. I also have some acryic brushes I use. Try different brushes and paints and you will find somethings that you love.

I bought 48 horse tack sponges from the Original Horse Tack company and it was $25 including US shipping. I cut them in halves and quarters (which are pretty similar to the wedge shape linked above actually). The quarters are used for my littlest faces and to conserve paint usage when I only need a smaller portion of color somewhere but want to sponge it on.

I clean them with hot water and pink soap and if you get them within a few hours, the paint cleans right out and does not stain. I've tried using other soaps/detergents and nothing cleans that paint out like the Pink Soap! Toss the sponges in a lingere net and lather them up with lots of massaging then scalding hot water rinse. I also dip my sponges in vinegar (undiluted is very effective for sanitizing) after cleaning, then another double hot water rinse to ensure all vinegar is removed.