Paint on my hands

is there a trick to NOT end up with paint all over my hands while sponging? I have to use a wet wipe between every face. That's too time consuming. Suggestions? I use mostly paradise and tag paints with tack sponges from Michaels.

Michaels doesn't sell tack sponges, they sell ceramic sponges which are WAY softer, very absorbent and crumble. Unless your Michaels is carrying something mine doesn't?

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Real tack sponges do not easily absorb the paint therefore no transfer to the hands... which is why I prefer them, I hate getting paint on my hands

Shannon, though, don't you have to use a different sponge for each person you paint in Canada? I just use the same ones, and after 30 kids, my hands are crazy dirty too. I just keep a towel tucked into my shorts, and when they get really bad, I use a baby wipe too.

Yeah, I do use a fresh clean sponge for each person. That will make a big difference.

So... just change sponges every now and again when the one you are using gets too saturated.

New Crazy member here, dying to know what the heck tack sponges are....

See the photo in my post above... those are tack sponges.

I didn't know there was a material difference between the tack and ceramic (something new everyday!) I like the ceramic because of the rounded edge for blending on the back. I hate wiping my hands constantly too so I'll be watching this thread for ideas.

I have seen people only loading the edge of the sponge. Perhaps that is why?

D.

I have difficulty with my hands (disability wise) - it took me weeks to be able to use brushes effectively when I started doing makeup and sponges - eeps.... I learned on the makeup sponges (the triangle ones) but they are very firm comparatively (for oil based makeup). Switching to the open celled foam ones for paint - well, lets just say my first few weeks with them were a mess. Finding pouncers gave me an "aha" moment though - I like handles. I can *use* handles. Now how do I find transferable handles for my sponges? hmm.... what about clothespins? well.... the wood absorbs the paint.... wait a sec - didn't we have plastic ones somewhere Mom?? They work for me with my sponges..... and side effect? clean hands....

what about spouncers or whatever your shop calls them. Round foamies with wooden sticks on them. I bought mine at Michaels.

The Micheal's in my area sells both the actual tack sponges and the ceramic ones. They look almost the same....but they totally aren't. Shannon had it right about the difference between the two. Tack sponges were in a baggie and it was approx 5 bucks for 2 of them. The ceramic ones were in a baggie, 3 or 4 for 2.49 or something like that. (I thought it was a steal till I tried the sponges out)

To the op, is it possible you're using too much water? Try misting the ends of your sponges with a squirt bottle instead of dipping them in water. Also, you can try designating one sponge per color only, and just using the one end. Make sure you hold the sponge in the middle instead of down where the paint is.

Hope that helps.

Tack Sponges are intended for cleaning tack. Like Horse bridals, saddles, etc. They tend to be firmish. Often cheapest from horse tack places online. 12 for $3 depending on where you get them.

As I live and breath, I didn't know there was a special sponge used for cleaning horse tack. So, is it the same kind of high density sponge I am buying from Silly Farm (the green ones) ?

Nope. Tack sponges (the ones I use) and the Fantasy Worldwide Green sponges (both can be seen here http://shannonfennell.wordpress.com/whats-in-my-face-painting-kit/) are EXACTLY the same size and shape BUT different in firmness. The FWW sponges are SOFT and the tack sponges are FIRM.

The FWW are great sponges and also work well - I do use them too and haven't had the paint bleed through (but as noted, I use one per person.)

Shannon Fennell wrote:Nope. Tack sponges (the ones I use) and the Fantasy Worldwide Green sponges (both can be seen here http://shannonfennell.wordpress.com/whats-in-my-face-painting-kit/) are EXACTLY the same size and shape BUT different in firmness. The FWW sponges are SOFT and the tack sponges are FIRM.

The FWW are great sponges and also work well - I do use them too and haven't had the paint bleed through (but as noted, I use one per person.)

My tack sponges have rounded sides

~Heff

back at ya!

Noella!!!
You're BRILLIANT!

And I totally "hear" your inflection in your post. I love to write like that & if I was better at it you'd hear the sing-songiness in mine.

I picked up a $1.19 bag of 3 "craft sponges" at AC Moore this weekend (East Coast, poor man's Micheal's). They are like the rounded tack sponges but a mite smaller.

I've only practiced with them. I have a huge festival this weekend so I'll report on them after. So far I like the feel.

Nancy

The original horse Company...cheap tack sponges. They work for me!

I find that dipping your sponge directly in the water is a big mess. Even if you are careful just wetting the tips. Try to use a light mist spray bottle to wet your sponges. Using this technique have cut down on the mess. And it wets the sponge just right. Hope this helps also.

You can find tack sponges with rounded edges too--check your horsie stores!