The creative application of cosmetic paint on the face of a person is termed as face painting. With human skin as your canvass, you can never be too careful with the type of paints you use. That’s why special paints are made exclusively for face painting. And since these paints are water-based, they can be easily washed off. Oils, water colors and acrylic paints are not for face painting and thus, should be avoided. Use of these types of paints on the skin might cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. Face painting has been done since the ancient times for different reasons. Some people do it for religious reasons, some for military purposes and some tribal leaders paint on their faces as a sign of authority and leadership. Now you may ask, “But what if I want to do face painting just for fun? What if I simply want to express myself through face painting? Is there a manual or book on how to do face painting?”

Well if this is your concern, worry no more. Here are some basic tips on how to do face painting. First, find a willing model. You can’t paint properly on an unruly child. You must select someone who wants to work with you and is willing enough to sit still for hours. As we all know, superior creations take time. Beauty cannot be rushed. So be sure that your model knows what to expect.

Second, choose the right kind of paint to use. As we all know, choosing the proper paint to use can be a little tricky. This is because paints specifically made for face painting are difficult to look for and are also a bit expensive. The sets that are cheapest come only in three or four colors. It’s not surprising why you can be tempted to buy those inexpensive acrylic paints instead. But you should never give in to that temptation because acrylics are not made for the skin. They may cause rashes and allergies, especially in people with very sensitive skin. Safety should always come first.

Third, don’t brush. Instead, sponge. The use of brushes on a canvass is fine. But painting on the skin is a little different than painting on a canvass. Using brushes can be too time-consuming – especially if you are covering a big area or putting on one specific color as a base. It can also help to use different sponges for different colors. That way, you wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time washing your sponges every time you use a different color.

Fourth, visualize first what you want to paint. Most people immediately start painting without knowing what exactly it is they want to paint. As a result, they often have to start over and over again. Visualizing your finished product can save you a lot of time and effort. So start with the end in mind.

Fifth, be patient. We may have all heard of the saying Patience is a virtue. Well that applies to face painting as well. When you put on a color, wait for the first coat to dry first before putting on a second one. If you put on the second coat immediately, the colors will mix and the end result can be disastrous.

Sixth, use stencils. If you are a beginner in face painting and you are not very confident with your free hand, you can create stencils in advance. Stencils can guide you in painting so you won’t get paint on unnecessary places. They are also very easy to make. All you need is acetate and a craft knife and you can cut out any design you want.

Seventh, and lastly, have fun and let loose! What’s the point in doing something you don’t enjoy? So take pleasure in every moment you spend face painting and let the inner artist in you shine through.