Marion Boddy-Evans is an artist living on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. She has written for art magazines blogs, edited how-to art titles, and co-authored travel books.
How to Face Paint
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Kyle Hall works on the content team at wikiHow. He helps manage our team of editors and creates content for a variety of wikiHow projects. Kyle continually looks for new ways to improve the content at wikiHow and make it more helpful and enjoyable for readers. He graduated from Eckerd College in 2015, where he majored in Political Science.
The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article’s instructions and verified that they work.
This article has been viewed 466,927 times.
Knowing how to face paint is a great skill to have at birthday parties and around Halloween time. If you’ve never face painted before, you’ll need to put together a kit with all the right supplies, like face paints, brushes, and a mirror. Once you’ve got all your painting gear, you can use your tools to paint a design on someone’s face. With some practice and patience, you can start painting beautiful designs on people’s faces in no time.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Getting the Supplies
- You can find face paints online or at your local arts and crafts store.
Stock up on face painting brushes and sponges. Use round, thin tip brushes for smaller details and flat, wide brushes for larger details. Have at least three brushes of each size in your face painting kit; one for black paint, one for white paint, and one for color paint. Having different brushes for different colors will prevent the colors from mixing. [2] X Research source
Advertisement
Get a plastic cup for water. You’ll need water to mix with the face paints and for rinsing off your brushes. Any normal plastic drinking cup will work. [3] X Research source
Find a couple washcloths to wipe your brushes off on. Get cheap washcloths since they’ll be getting stained with paint regularly. Washcloths are great because you can wash and reuse them whenever you want to face paint. [4] X Research source
Have a mirror available to show people how great their face paint looks. A small handheld mirror will work. If you’re going to do face painting at a big event or party, bring along two mirrors in case one of them breaks. [5] X Research source
- Make sure you use cosmetic-grade glitter. Cosmetic-grade glitter won’t hurt if it gets in someone’s eye.
Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Painting People’s Faces
Ask the person how they’d like their face painted. If they’re unsure, show them some photos of different face painting designs they can choose from. Just make sure you can replicate any designs you’re showing them so they’re not disappointed in the end!
Use a photo as a reference. Don’t be afraid to look at the photo every once in a while to make sure you’re painting the design right. If you don’t have any printed photos available, look one up online using your smartphone. Search something like “lion face paint” or “butterfly face painting design.”
- If the color isn’t vibrant enough, add more water and paint to the tip of the sponge.
- For example, if you’re painting a butterfly and you’ve made the base of the wings purple, a blue would blend well while a yellow would not.
- Apply the second color with the wet tip of the sponge, but use a dry section of the sponge to blend the colors together.
Let the first coat of paint dry. After a few minutes, lightly touch the paint with the tip of your finger to see if it’s dry. If any paint comes off on your finger, let the paint finish drying. Once the paint is completely dry, continue painting.
- When you’re finished with one color, clean the brush or grab a new brush to use with a new color.
- Use a thin brush to add shadows and highlights with black and white paint.
Fix mistakes with a baby wipe. Gently brush the baby wipe over the spot you want to erase. You can also use a baby wipe to round out edges in your design.
Show the person your work with the mirror. Ask them if they like it. If they seem upset or disappointed, offer to fix the design or add more detail.
Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Making People Comfortable
Put a cushion on the chair people will be sitting in. Use a pillow if you don’t have a cushion. People will be less likely to move around in their seat if they’re comfortable.
- For example, if you’re painting kids’ faces at a party, you could ask them things like “Are you having fun with your friends today?” or “What games are you excited to play later?”
- If you’re working with a particularly restless kid, wrap up your design as soon as possible.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
Question
I am going to be face painting a group of children at an elementary school. How can I make a good impression and ensure that they have a good time?
Community Answer
Talk to the child and ask them questions, such as their favorite color, animal, or super hero. If the child is young, ask him or her to focus on an object behind you; this will keep the child from squirming too much and will allow you to finish faster. The longer the child has to sit in the chair, is more impatient he or she will get.
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Question
Can I use oil paint?
Community Answer
Absolutely not. Oil paint, like the kind artists use, are dangerous to put on skin. If you must use an oil-based paint, try theatrical oil-based paint or grease paint (ie: Ben Nye). You can find them online, in costume shops, and in certain well-stocked party supply shops.
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Question
How do I face paint a dalmatian?
Charlotte Gardner
Community Answer
Paint the base first, using white facepaint. Sponge on the approximate shape of a dalmatian’s face: nose on the child’s nose, muzzle on the child’s upper lip, ears on the forehead, and the child’s own eyes become the dog’s eyes. Using a brush, add some black dalmatian spots. Do finishing work with a brush to enhance detail.
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Things You’ll Need
How to
Stencil Fabric
How to
Do Nail Art
How to
Make Flower Nail Art
How to
Give Yourself a Manicure
How to
Stop Biting Your Nails
How to
Make Your Own Face Paint
How to
Make Face Paint Stay in Place
How to
Face Paint a Clown
How to
Fingerpaint
How to
Make Handprint Art
Advertisement
References
- ↑http://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-face-painting-ideas
- ↑http://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-face-painting-ideas
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUSEstwJ12c&feature=youtu.be&t=19
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUSEstwJ12c&feature=youtu.be&t=19
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUSEstwJ12c&feature=youtu.be&t=36
- ↑http://www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-face-painting-ideas
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZPKmks4FSM&feature=youtu.be&t=52
- ↑http://www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/costumes/face-painting-ideas-/
Face Painting Designs: Rainbow Butterfly
Get ideas and inspiration in this photo gallery of face painting designs.
If you’re planning to do some face painting, this photo gallery of face painting designs will provide inspiration and ideas. And don’t forget to share a photo of your face painting too.
If you’re looking for ideas for Halloween, check out the Photo Gallery of Halloween Face Painting Designs.
This face painting design is one by professional face painter Cindy Trusty.
of 20
Face Painting Designs: Delicate Butterfly
of 20
Face Painting Designs: Complex Clown
of 20
