Hi from Chicago!

I am brand new to face painting - in fact, I came up with the idea yesterday when I was mulling over what else I can do with my art to bring in some money! Since I'm a professional illustrator and specialize in art for children, this idea just sort of popped into my head. Not even sure where it came from!

This board has been so helpful with all the advice about what types of paints and brushes to use, what kind of chairs everyone prefers, business tips, what subject matter to paint, etc... Yesterday I contacted a couple local facepainters to arrange for a lesson or two. Even though I draw for a living day to day, I figured this is a whole new bag o' beans and it wouldn't hurt to get some tips from those in the know (in the flesh!).

I'm fairly certain I want dive in with paints from Snazaroo particularly since they're FDA approved. The walk around pro set for $150 seems to be the best bet for getting started. Good color selection, some glitter, LOVE the tray!
http://www.snazaroo.us/USA/enter.html

If anyone has any comments or advice about this set, or any other advice about what to purchase as a total newbie in the world of face painting, I'm all ears!

This seems like a great community, very nurturing and loads of fun! The work I've seen from everyone is great and I'm feeling really inspired!! I feel so fortunate to have found this board!

Happy Painting!
Cyn

Welcome to the board, and I hope you enjoy face painting as much as us!

Hi! Is your avatar your work? Cute!!

Welcome to the forum! Your illustrations are wonderful! You'll love face painting.

I would suggest that you start out with a 18 color wheel from Snaz, get your feet wet, and then decide what you want as far as larger cakes. You'll find that you're more drawn to some colors than others, and never use a few of the colors in the wheel at all. Once you know what you really need, you can get out the big bucks and make a purchase. The walk-about is cool but I can't paint with something in my hand like that, so it would be wasted on me. Also, they make trays exactly like that one for use at picnics and such, for just a few dollars, so I think the tray is seriously overpriced. Just a few things to think about while you are planning out your purchase. Go light at first, figure out what works best for you, and then make a larger purchase - that's my advice. Paints, brushes (you probably already have those), face painting sponges, and possibly some cosmetic glitter should get you started!

Have FUN! It's addictive!

hello and Welcome!

Hi Izzy and Shannon! Thank you for the welcome! Yes, my avatar is one of my designs.

Angie, thank you so much for the info! Now that you mention it, I've never been one to paint with palette in hand either. But it looks so yummy, that little tray:)

Hello back atcha, Metzpah!

Hi Cyn! Welcome to the board. Your illustration is so clever and whimsical. Glad you found us! Have fun learning. One person who lives out of a hand held pallet is Lisa Smiley. It can work....but it is geared for that walk around work. I prefer to have all my stuff on a small table at the ready - guess it just depends on the venue.

Angie is a smart and wise cookie. Buy small and experiment before the big investments. Many of us have $1K in paint and seriously probably use about 20% of it for our work. Each paint brand has its' qualities and properties and you will gravitate towards one or a few after experimenting. We will be happy to help you with questions you have along the way! (p.s. my daughter lives in Chicago!!! can't wait to see her in a few weeks!)

Happy painting! We will be waiting to see your first works in your gallery - but you should def add your signature line in your profile so we can see your illustrations or website too. I am intrigued. I always wanted to do a children's book - write and illustrate.

WyndyO wrote: Many of us have $1K in paint

That's all you have??? That's so sad... I pay for $10,000 in kit replacement insurance and that wouldn't replace it if the house burned down...I just needed coverage in case something goes missing while I'm working or gets destroyed in a car crash or something.

Holy cow... I might have $300-$400 in paints and supplies, and most of that was won in competition or earned doing work for Gary.

TACKLE TARTS!!

WyndyO wrote:Hi Cyn! Welcome to the board. Your illustration is so clever and whimsical. Glad you found us! Have fun learning. One person who lives out of a hand held pallet is Lisa Smiley. It can work....but it is geared for that walk around work. I prefer to have all my stuff on a small table at the ready - guess it just depends on the venue.

Angie is a smart and wise cookie. Buy small and experiment before the big investments. Many of us have $1K in paint and seriously probably use about 20% of it for our work. Each paint brand has its' qualities and properties and you will gravitate towards one or a few after experimenting. We will be happy to help you with questions you have along the way! (p.s. my daughter lives in Chicago!!! can't wait to see her in a few weeks!)

Happy painting! We will be waiting to see your first works in your gallery - but you should def add your signature line in your profile so we can see your illustrations or website too. I am intrigued. I always wanted to do a children's book - write and illustrate.

Hi WyndyO, and thanks for all the feedback! I'm going to start with fewer paints, and see what feels right. Luckily my niece and nepher are coming to visit in couple of weeks so i'll have a chance to practice on them.

So is it true that I can just use sable or acrylic paint brushes? I thought there would be special facepainting brushes with magical powers that I'd have to buy;)

Have a great time when you visit Chicago! It's a great city, without a doubt, especially in summer.

Hi from the UK!

Glenda

Angie Anders wrote:Holy cow... I might have $300-$400 in paints and supplies, and most of that was won in competition or earned doing work for Gary.

TACKLE TARTS!!

Well... you have to consider that it covers not only my face painting kit, but my tattoo kit, my SFX kit, my airbrush rig and kit, my glamour kit... the glamour kit alone is probably close to $15,000 in the one fishing tackle box.

For example, I put lipsticks in bobbin cases - so 25 full lipsticks (MAC = $22 each) in each bobbin case (I have four) so that is 100 lipsticks which to replace would cost me $2200.... and that's just the lipstick in the bobbin cases! I have a couple of stacks too! Not to mention 8 MAC propalettes of eyeshadows (15 per palette)... You get the idea!! If someone walked off with my tackle box from the theatre (it gets left backstage during a show's run) then I am out for ALL the stuff in it! $10,000 would let me restock to a working kit but not to the level I am at.

...... and I thought I was a tart!!!! Shannon you ARE HEREBY DUBBED QUEEN TART!!!!!! I bow to you!! $2200 alone in just lipstick! Phew! I am a lightweight in comparison. Of course you are licensed makeup artist and certainly NEED all of it. You do need the makeup trailer....ha ha ha ha ha!

I would hate to add up my face and body painting supplies!!! My hubbie would def pass out..... or worse....not to mention the conventions, stencils, airbrush set up, crazy hair stuff, gear...... garr!! and I don't even have the table and director chair yet!!

Off to play with my airbrush - just got the paint today!!!!!

Aloha from Hawaii...Renee