HELP WITH SMOOTH BASE

I usually paint kids using Snaz for the base and Paradise for split cakes that I make myself and DFX for line work. I've been booked to face paint an adult as an Avatar (they're wearing a costume). I'm in the middle of trying out a Paradise baby blue for the base and I'm struggling. It looks very patchy. A child's skin is so much easier to get a nice smooth airbrush look. What am I doing wrong. Is it me and my adult skin, is it the paint or is it just my technique. Should I ask them to wear foundation to make my life easier.

Help please.

Try less water with the paradise. And pat or dab the sponge instead of swiping it to apply the base. It goes on thicker when you dab it.

I hope this helps!

Yep, you can streak it on the apply the color quickly, but then you have to dab over it to create the smooth look.

I will often (when having a problem) use a wide brush to apply thin layer of paint, then with a loaded sponge, smooth the paint out.
Works every time!

I agree, swipe then dab. If your swiping is getting thin looking, reload the sponge. If you're doing the arms & legs, use a large body brush. I have a 2" one that I use & it really speeds up the design.

I did a full-body avatar w/DFX metallic Baby Blue base, creamy application & good coverage--(& won lst prize.) It gently reflected the light & made it pop.

Love the wolfe matalics for a good smooth base, but only have a few. I want to try the tag pearl colors, but want to save and get a whole set.

TAG pearls are the most amazing base blenders out there. I love them.
Give em a try. For the price you cannot go wrong.

Thanks everyone for all your tips. Swiping then dabbing worked a treat. It took a while for me to reply as I've been mental busy since I posted this request.

In the end I landed up doing 2 full bodies painted as green aliens (DFX light green for the body with DFX bronze mixed with a little black for the scales) and 2 avatar faces. I was under pressure for time and managed to do the whole thing in 2hrs 15mins. For me that was really hard. I invested in a MAC kabuki brush. Although it cost me around 18 euro it was worth every penny. You can basically get the base colour down at lightening speed.

Thanks again.

G x