Help with starting out

Hello!! I have a question for anyone who can help me. I am just starting out and would like to know what kind of paints I can use to practice more. I don't want to spend a whole lot of money (unless I just have to) in the begining because I am not getting paid. Thank you so much for any and all help you guys give me.

Snazaroo is one of the cheaper face paints out there (at least that I'm aware of) that is still a good quality enough to practice and get a feeling of what 'real' face painting is like. In fact, I use snazaroo a lot for my 'actual' face painting too.

I've heard that some practice on paper or oil sheets/wax paper with watercolours too, tho' I haven't, so that might help? (Just be aware that painting on faces is very different in terms of texture and 'bumps' )

I personally often draw out different designs on paper on simple basic faces I draw, just to see the placement of various items and if they'll work, or how to make the full face 'mask' work around eyes and mouth/nose.

It does cost money to practice with face paints, but it's a necessary part of getting better and receiving money for quality work done.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Practice w/ the paints you'll use. Different paints work & act differently & you won't know what works best for you without just using them. It's an investment into your business/art to practice. A small snazaroo pallet for base work & then some DiamondFX Black & White would be a very basic 1st start.

Agree with the above that face paints on skin is BEST. That being said, IMO there is absolutely nothing wrong with sitting down with paper and cheap craft paints or watercolors to teach yourself teardrops, swirls, C strokes, U strokes, S strokes, etc. The key is PRACTICE! You get your strokes and you can transfer that to working with your face paints without worrying too much about "wasting" them. Just keep in mind that practice with your paints isn't a waste, it's an investment in your talent!

I paint with my paints, it is just part of the cost of doing business. Using snaz is different than using wolfe or paradise, so you really don't do yourself any favors by trading off. You may be using all of the brands for one thing or another, and will like one for some things, but not others, and will just need to learn how to manipulate the paints. Give yourself permission because your art calls for it.

If u don't want to spend $$$ since ur just starting off, snazaroo pellets. They're like $15 at the most:) @ Michaels. Or Amazon.

I have to agree with Psalmbook, I am very new to this as well, but even I have learned that Paradise is SO different than say DFX and snaz. Practice with what you will use and if you don't know, buy a touch of all and find what you like. I thought I had to buy just ONE brand ha ha ha. I am so OCD. That is so not happening. Granted, I am not getting paid yet so I can be more lax.

Now, I do doodle all the time w/ pen or pencil & sometimes those designs do end up on a face later, but that's different than practice. That's design construction.

I still use some snaz in my kit, I love the red and the turqouise, but they all work differently, so you really cannot practice well with one kind that is any cheeper than the rest and get a good idea of how it is going to go on when you switch to something else to paint "for real" because it won't be the same. i would get a little bit of everything, try it out, see what you like, and it may just take you a while, even years before you know for sure that you know exactly what you like best, but I would not skimp on your practice paints. So true Linda, doodling is different. I color on every napkin i get...always have a pen in my purse! I like what Marcela does, she colors on magazine faces!