"Topless" Fest Pricing

Okay, so... I've been asked to paint at several events over the next few *years* (YAY!). I was speaking with the organizers and they are expecting several topless people (in NYS it is legal for women to go topless in state/public parks and on private property, the two places these events are being held). They already have a bunch of women who want me to paint "shirts" on them, from hip to face, front and back.

Keep in mind this is a festival setting so these won't be super-detailed-for-photo-shoot paintings. I need to get them in and out in a timely fashion. They also don't want the stereotypical Sturgis/Biker style "puppies" on the boobs or a big white tiger with the eyes on the chest. These women are far more creative and spiritual than that (these are for Pagan and Lesbian groups).
I've got design ideas and I am SOOOO excited about this. Here's what I don't know...how much to charge.

Face/arm/leg paint, henna, glitter/velvet/mica tattoos all go from $5 to $15 (the highest is a graffiti upper arm sleeve). I'm at a loss with what to charge for this.

So, thoughts?
Should I do pricing based on front of body, back of body, full sleeveless shirt and full shirt?
My hub seems to think I should also add a pricing for legs in this too.

I am so excited for this...and soooo confused! lol

Thanks in advance!

wow. no helpful info from me. Im clueless, but Im excited for you! -happy dance- good luck!

Is this pay per body or are you being paid to appear. If you are being paid your usual hourly rate.
If not maybe base your time on your hourly rate and charge for how long each person takes to paintSo $100 an hour 20 mins to paint $20, 15 mins $15, 25 mins $25. Or What ever your rate is.

$50 - 100 for a basic shirt. You could expect to just BLOW through product. Also, do make sure you warn the ladies, if this is an outdoor event, that it is NOT sun screen. I've seen a few really bad sun burns gotten this way. If you can have an assistant help lay down the base, it would go much faster.

I am looking into doing a very large outdoor party where I am looking to do the same thing. I am trying to get my husband to be laying a base while I do more or the detailed work. This will definitely run through your paints quickly. Mine although are only going to be on the front covering the breast. I actually got pasties. (just in case they want them, but doubt it) So price of pastie petals, time,and paint. I have $25 - $50 a person depending what design they choose. Luckily I will have a board for them to choose from.

Good luck! and have fun!

These aren't going to be from a board because they want unique designs, and so do I. I have torso's I've painted before, and backs, that I am going to use for a banner though to demonstrate what I'm talking about.

I actually don't "blow through" my paints on a body painting so I think that two of each color will get me through a day. I already stock three of each so I'll bring an extra back up, just in case.

I already have one of my other girls lined up (I can't use my hub, only women are allowed to work at these events- though he can attend) to work with me, not just on torso designs but on faces/henna while I'm doing torso work.

LeapingLizards, that's interesting because I've actually seen the opposite. People who get painted and then get tan lines around it because it blocked their skin so well. One girl, in fact, had me paint her tan lines back in (fairy wings) for all 3 days of the festival. I'll definitely mention it though, just in case. Thanks!

Peachy, pay per piece. If it were my hourly, I'd not be concerned. I have rates for that. I like the per minute idea, it's close to what I charge anyway, but it's hard to give an estimate when I don't know what their design is going to be ahead of time. Now that I think about it I think I will have a sketch book with potential designs, time and prices on them so that people can have an idea what to expect. Then at least they have a clue, and so do I. lol

Tara, me too!!! Thank you!!!

sorry I couldnt be more helpful.

I charged $35 for a basic front OR back piece at the biker rally i did.

What about if you had a "mix and match" sort of design board? the first column would show the basic shape/size of the design and the price for this much coverage- for instance: Bandeau $15; Corset $25; Tank $35. Then have some design elements that they can pick from: Lacing detail; flowers; animal print. And lastly the dominant color. Then you will be able to combine the three into a unique piece for each client- and you'll have more creativity with each design, and wiggle room with your detail!

Taradoodles wrote:wow. no helpful info from me. Im clueless, but Im excited for you! -happy dance- good luck!

Same here! I'm glad for you! Please, take photos of your designs!

I was doing torsos at a club and I charged $50 front or back, $90 for a full top.

Thanks all for giving me much to think about!

I *really* appreciate it...and yes, there will be pics. There needs to be lots of pics! lol

Oh man....my husband only dreams of being the base prepper at an event like this.

glitterfly wrote:Oh man....my husband only dreams of being the base prepper at an event like this.

FANTASTICALLY FUNNY!! I could potentially get my husband INVOLVED at all if I had an event like this!! LOL nice!

glitterfly wrote:Oh man....my husband only dreams of being the base prepper at an event like this.

My husband has done that, a few times. The first time he did it was for a body paint fashion show, and I had him helping with base coats. We painted 9 women and 3 guys (one of the guys I had to paint multiple times). It was one of the funniest days of our lives.

This group only allows female artists/booth workers/musicians so he can't help, or else he would.

It works. After he that it was a short jump to getting him to do glitter tats. lol

I have a bunch of full body painting demos coming up and he's very happy to lend a hand...er...brush.

Having never done any actual torso paintings at all just curious do you guys airbrush or sponge it on? I would love to see pics too when you post... More skin... more fun to paint I bet!

Jenna, yes. I've used sponge, brush, kabuki (which I know is a brush but for me it ranks differently) and airbrush. Mostly brush though.

Here's some I did at a local tattoo and bike convention. One wanted a "shirt" that looked like life saver swirls with cherries (yes, I groaned).
The other is one I came up with. She had a lot of tattoos so it took a bit for me to cover them but she was thrilled and somewhere there are photos of her on one of the bikes painted like this.
They were both done with brush only.

I'd post a couple of pics but mine are topless..can't recall the rules about that here....??

Grate pics, where is that show?, jaja you guys have so funny coments but yes! wich man wont be happy to help in that event, jajajajaja

Vivi, it's one of our big bike shows up here in WNY.

I wish I had taken better pics up close but ahh well, live and learn.

great pics! I cant help but wonder weird things like what if they have droopy boobs to you lift them up and paint underneath or go around do they lift... see this is why I dont think I will be a good body painter..lol Backs... sure perky boobs probably not an issue but then do you start discriminating your canvases saying it just makes it awkward?? How do you cover tattoos? Do you use a cream skin tone or something?? I havent had the time to look too much into makeup other than basic facepaints but I have seen huge displays at movie production shops here with scars and other lates etc products. I just figure I should stay away unless I want to invest in a whole new line of products and services as I have a hard time not spending every dollar I own back on paint already!!

I have several others but they are totally topless. I use petal pasties on most of them. For people with tattoos I try to use a nice solid base underneath. Wolfe White for example or anything opaque. Then start painting over that. My model here has a bunch of Tattoos all over her entire body (as you can see ), so sometimes when I paint her.... I get a little lazy and dont cover as well as I should. I dont have anything special for tat coverage. (she is one of my regular models ... I have a full body painting of her as Wonder Woman, including boots, lasso, cuffs, and crown. Talk about a fun photo shoot.

glitterfly wrote:Oh man....my husband only dreams of being the base prepper at an event like this.

lol! Don't they all...!

Congrats on landing such a great gig! Good luck!

jennvangogh wrote:great pics! I cant help but wonder weird things like what if they have droopy boobs to you lift them up and paint underneath or go around do they lift... see this is why I dont think I will be a good body painter..lol Backs... sure perky boobs probably not an issue but then do you start discriminating your canvases saying it just makes it awkward?? How do you cover tattoos? Do you use a cream skin tone or something?? I havent had the time to look too much into makeup other than basic facepaints but I have seen huge displays at movie production shops here with scars and other lates etc products. I just figure I should stay away unless I want to invest in a whole new line of products and services as I have a hard time not spending every dollar I own back on paint already!!

Jenn, I have them to all of the *ahem* lifting. lol Even women with larger (not droopy) need that. I don't discriminate. If people will pay me, I'll paint them with few exceptions.

I just paint over tattoos and don't worry about actually making them invisible unless it's a formal photo shoot or for something special, like when I did a painting to cover up a tattoo on a bride. For that, you're right, different products are needed.

Thanks Tiny!