Another Aussie Beginner

Hi to all, I am so nervous about posting

I am a newbie at face painting about 4 or so months. I live in South West Sydney Australia.

My Face painting story started when my son kept getting rejected from painting at fates- as he is ADHD & ASD. Doesn’t sit still (so I have learned to paint fast and on the move) I phoned a few clown companies that were hesitant, and the ones that agreed were though the roof in prices. So I decided to spend the money on a kit and do it myself, and that is where it all began. And I am having fun – I tend to love most art performing, martial, visual. Not a fan of abstract I just don’t get it.

Also on a different note at what point do the kids start to reject the painting I ask as I want to know roughly when to expect to bribe and beg I think I have painted My 8 year old about 50 times now. The 5 year old at least 30, the boy about 20.
This week the 8 year old refused for the first time, so I took balloons to her school at the school bell and I teaching, another mum how to make a poodle when kids came out got a huge crowd. She has told me she will let me paint her as long as I never do that again – how long will that last?

Sue

Haha! I love it, when you cant bribe them , embarass them into submission!
Welcome Dont be nervous, nobody here bites... hard.

Welcome to the forum! No need to be nervous, everyone here is very welcoming and helpful My little one stopped letting me paint her after about two months. Now I have to beg.

welcome from the Netherlands!

Gidday & welcome to this fun loving group from Cradle Mountain Tasmania Australia.

Where abouts in Sydney Sue, I grew up in Miranda.

I got quite alot of fp done on my two boys before I had to start bribing. My youngest enjoy's being body painted more than face painted, however he does ask for a trade if I make an apple pie, he'll let me paint him.

Don't be nervous, you'll love it here.

welcome to the forum...happy to have you.

My 3 year old can be picky if she will let me paint her...but she is my worst model...so used to being painted she never sits still. My best model is my husband. He puts up with me!

Welcome to the forum from the other side of Sydney.
I have been doing this awhile now... let me know if I can help you out with anything!

Welcome!

Thank you for such a lovely welcome,
Mandi I am from Liverpool NSW my husband used to live in Miranda area, I grew up in Liverpool but have lived/travelled over a lot of NSW, I used to be a station manager- Jillaroo.
To Tash Thank you it’s Ironic as I am sort of still in the family and friend stage and due to the cost of Public liability and I get asked who I would recommend. I always give three numbers and you have been one of them. I am kind of in in awe so am glad you are also friendly
I have been offered Jobs by a few clown companies, but they want to pay $30 an hour no travel money 1 year contract which I think is a bit wrong. And to top it off had a few pictures stolen from my portfolio I used to apply, and used already on one of their sites. Got it taken down as I only paint on my children for portfolio – hence no permission. - Talk about a rough start. If I see any of your work or that I think it might be I will be sure to let you know
Did my first ever 1 stroke eye mask today for book week and although I will probably hate it 1 month from now as I seem to do- but happy today . as my 5 yo daughter won the book week award with it as a fairy. This means she is happy to let me paint her a bit longer. I was given simple instructions of “I have to be the most beautiful fairy in the whole school, and it has to be a rainbow to match my hair bow and dress” changed my avatar to it to match my current happy state.

Hahaha _ I went through so many emotions reading your post!
At first I was pleasantly surprised and humbled that you even know of my existence! And that you have been recommending me - wow thank-you so much!
Then I got to book week - and I feel guilty again..... I forgot book week!
My daughter went without a costume! I am the WORST MOTHER EVER! And knowing I could of painted her face - JUST KILLS ME!
Then I got to frustration - yes those stupid clown entertainment companies - looove to rip us off - they have no respect for our art and just want cheekart at cheap prices.
I work with tow very reputable agencies.... and they pay my full rate plus travel. They also pay within three days which is unheard of with agencies in our bis. If you want their names I would be happy to give them to you.
Do you have a website yet?
I can help you with your insurance - I only paid $150 this year through Duck for Cover..... you can't beat 'em.
If you would like to come to an event or festival with me to get some experience with crowds - please let me know - as I always have opportunities for multiple painters and often work festivals and night clubs.
YaY for networking with other painters! lol
I'm going away next week but afterwards I'm going o get a Jam happening with all us awesome Sydney Artists.... I would love you to come. Let me know.

Geez Tash I'd love to join in on a jam, being an x-Sydney girl. not sad that I don't live in Sydney anymore just sad about the jam. Tash I'm taking my paints away with me --- are you?

Elentura what a small world it is!! Did he go to school in Miranda? Maybe we know each other.

Yes Mandie - I can't not take them - my sister has got me comming up for her kids combined birthdays - to which she has invited - wait for it-.........
75 kids! Yes 75! She wants me to paint them and my hubby to do balloons... she told me she did me a favor and organised two parties over two days..... yeah ok... I don't make any money and no promotion ops as I'm outta my own city..... taking advantage much?
I'm leaving here on the 1st - should be in Austonville by the third and hanging around till the 8th so I will give you a call - hopefully we can meet up for lunch and a Jam - maybe in the middle in Lismore or something?
Can't wait! xxx

Welcome Sue! Always glad to meet a new face painter!

Thank you for the offer Tash I would love any advise, help info expierience is appreciated so yes I think I need help with line work as it gets a little crazy- although never met another face painter body painter before I just bought the Wolfe book and Tag paints and went from there. I am a real newbie and have a very small smattering of an idea of what it could be like. I have been doing family functions (and friends) the last one was crazy it was for my Brother. I asked how many kids will be there 10 including mine how long have I got 2 hours sounds good
What actually happened is there were 21 kids at least- not including my own. I lost count after that - then having thought I was done I got presented with three 2 year olds. One was great the other kept swatting the brush, and the last one while waiting took off with my face paint. While I was chasing him, my youngest child 18 months got the pot of TAG white and a cotton bud and started painting the furniture. An animal show was there as well a rabbit got loose so all the kids went crazy trying to get it. Got face paint back in the end. then got through kids including the little ones who’s parents wanted painted, and felt I couldn’t say NO as they were” family” got them all done in 1 hour and 45 mins not my best work. Then my brother (37) sits in the chair and asks for the Wolfman – which I had never painted I told him if he wanted his face painted he could be a vampire or Darth maul like all the other boys”
What I learned:
1. Parants infringe on your space
2. My brother cannot count - or he hates me still undecided on that
3 panadol is an essential part of the kit for the back
4 removed a ton of photos from options
5 I really need to buy a pallet to hold paints so kids don’t run off with them
6 it will never be as perfect as I want
7 that the lady with the animals didn’t seem to be working as hard (I’m jealous)
8 Painting the local preschool are way easier than anything involving family

And That I have a long way to go (at another party I learned that magpies attack face painters venue backed on to a park - moved indoors)

So Tash good luck with the 75 – OMG how long is the party?

As for book week don’t feel too bad I have been cake decorating since I was 11, I won awards in Sugar art. And I feel bad that when the kid’s birthdays come around I only ever seem to have time to make a sponge cake. I feel like the worst mother ever. And adding to the book week woes my 5 year old won, which meant that My 8 year old lost - whose face I had painted also. So now we have sibling rivalry, and I didn’t even know that it was a competition until the end of the day. So I accidentally created a fight in our house.
Mandie my husband went to school in various parts England (around Essex) and mainly Fairfield and Ingleburn in Australia he comes from a gypsy background (his mother is a gypsy) even when they got to Australia. They moved house 11 times in 6 years – he hates moving now. But fortunately due to his upbringing he is very supportive of art in any form. He lived in Miranda with… His ex-wife argh! I have been his best friend for 17 years I am 31 we figured it out in the end. Nothing sorted I’m afraid, came back to Sydney after the divorce.
Going to look up duck for cover- again thank you, and I have no idea what a jam involves but sounds great?
Think I’ve rattled on too long now- I tend to do that.
Sue

Yay Sue a girl after my own heart, love to have a chat.

A jam invovles taking your paints & brushes, sponges, practice head if you have one & 'jaming' with other painters sharing tips, techniques, colour combo's, fav brushes brand of paints, new products that turn out to be a must have. Helping each other to improve on areas you may need practice with ie: tear drops, line work, sponging to get an 'airbrushed' finish, one stroke techniques etc. And just basically sharing a passion & energy of a shared love of face painting.

By the sounds of the gig you did, well all I can say if you can survive that & still want to paint, then your hooked well & truely. Enjoy your new adventure.

Hi from the Northern Territory
Sounds like you've been having fun

Welcome

Hello, and welcome from East TN!