Drawing on the face (face art) is performed using water-based cosmetic paints. The dye composition should not clog pores, interfere with skin respiration or cause allergic reactions. It is necessary that the dried layer retains its elasticity, does not crack, does not roll into lumps and does not crumble. The finished drawing should be washed off without effort, without leaving marks on the face.
Paints can be dry or pasty, monochromatic or multicolored (rainbow). They can be ordered online or purchased from stores specializing in the sale of party goods, art, and body art. High-quality materials do not spread, fit well, dry quickly, and last throughout the day. They do not contain fats, parabens, synthetic fragrances, toxic components that dry out the epidermis.
For face art, you can use a special powder, sets of crayons or pencils for the face. When working with stencils, paint sprays are used. Such products are safe, convenient to use, easily removed from the skin, and are used sparingly. Sometimes professional theatrical make-up is used to apply the picture. It is heavy on baby skin and requires some experience to handle.
Making paints with your own hands
If it was not possible to find the necessary materials or there is no trust in purchased products, then face painting paints can be made independently. To do this, mix starch and baby cream in a 3: 1 ratio in a small container, then add a little water.
- starch – 2 tsp;
- chilled cream – 1 tsp;
- boiled water at room temperature – 1 tsp;
- food coloring.
First, mix the cream with starch, then pour in the water. The result should be a fairly thick, creamy mass that will not spread over the skin. It can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for several days. To apply a general background, you need to slightly dilute the composition, and a thicker mixture is used to draw details.
Face painting paints can be bought or made by yourself.
If you want a white tone, you do not need to add dye. Powdered or liquid food coloring is used to give the desired color. They are mixed into the resulting base little by little, until the desired shade is obtained.
How to choose an image
The drawing should correspond to the theme of the festival, the chosen costume, the age and gender of the child. Face painting for boys is distinguished by a greater saturation of colors, scale, aggressiveness. Most often they choose:
- heroes of comics, fairy tales, films;
- pirates;
- robots;
- characters for Halloween;
- dinosaurs;
- sports symbols.
Makeup for girls is more restrained, delicate shades and small details. For such compositions, sequins, sequins and rhinestones are often used as auxiliary materials.
Imitation of animal faces is liked by both girls and boys. Universal elements are: abstract patterns, glasses, cobweb, cat footprints, emblems, state symbols, etc.
When determining the best make-up option, it is necessary to take into account the wishes of the child. It is more convenient to choose an image by looking through collections of thematic pictures or photographs. It is better to first translate the original idea on paper and, if necessary, correct it.
Face painting
Professional make-up artists know how to realize children’s fantasies. They create complete images, act quickly, find an approach to children of different ages. The work of a master is not cheap. Sometimes at fairs, parks, children’s art studios, entertainment centers, shopping malls, this service is provided free of charge. At the same time, both professionals and beginners can work.
You can apply face painting yourself. Basic drawing skills will be enough for this.
Preparatory stage
For work you may need:
- Paints, face painting crayons. The use of improvised painting tools such as watercolor, ink, gouache, acrylic, etc. is not allowed.
- A sponge or a piece of soft washcloth. The main background is applied to them. It is also convenient to use it to shade paint or wash off unnecessary elements.
- Paint brushes. It is desirable that they are natural. A flat wide brush is needed to apply the main parts of the picture, draw details with a thin one and outline the contours.
- Sequins, pebbles, body glue.
- A set of cotton swabs. With their help, you can correct minor bugs.
- A container with clean water. Useful for thinning paint, wetting and washing brushes or sponge.
- Oilcloth or sheet. Although the paints used are easy to wash off, it is best to cover your child’s clothes, especially if he has already dressed up.
- Wet and dry wipes or clean rags to wipe off color marks from hands and other surfaces.
- The mirror is the right size.
Before applying makeup, you need to prepare the workplace.
Before applying face painting, you need to remove the hair from the child’s face. To do this, you can use a headband, elastic bandage, elastic bands, hairpins. A baseball cap with a visor will also work.
At the first application of the paint, an allergy test must be carried out. To do this, a small amount of it is applied to the wrist or at the elbow for 20 minutes, then washed off. If you experience discomfort, redness or itching, further use of this product is prohibited.
Execution technique
Work procedure:
If the image is applied to the entire face, then the skin should be completely treated with the desired color, diligently painting over the corners of the eyes, eyelids and all folds. In the case when the drawing affects only a part of the face, only the desired area is toned, avoiding paint on neighboring areas.
The tone is applied using a cosmetic sponge with light circular movements. Direct strokes will stand out from the background.
The finished layer should dry completely.
After applying the main background with a wide brush, draw large elements and outline the contours, and only then paint on small details with a thin brush. You need to move from top to bottom so as not to accidentally smear the finished part of the pattern.
Tools are moderately wet in paint. Keep the brush at a right angle and do not press hard on it.
If you want to paint over a different color, you need to wait until it dries completely.
The sequins are added in the final step. If they are to concentrate only in certain places, other parts of the face are covered with a napkin.
To add sequins, the adhesive is applied to the skin with a thin stick, such as the back of a brush. It should be a light trace, not a convex drop, otherwise the excess glue will protrude beyond the edges of the sequin.
It is better to purchase rhinestones on an adhesive basis. Tweezers are used to place them.
After a holiday or before going to bed, make-up must be washed off. Do this with warm water, you can use baby soap. After that, the face is wiped with lotion (without alcohol) and treated with a nourishing cream.
Recommendations and Cautions
Features of applying face painting to a child:
- This procedure is not recommended for children under 3 years old.
- The coloring composition cannot be used in the presence of skin diseases and on areas of the face where there is a rash, inflammation, wounds, scratches, and other injuries.
- The foreman must use certified materials. It is necessary to ensure that he not only washed, but also disinfected the brushes.
If face art is being applied to a small child for the first time, before starting work, you should move a clean brush over his face. Let him get used to the unusual sensations. Additionally, these actions will help to identify the most susceptible sites. It may be necessary to abandon the large image, limiting ourselves to small elements in the area with minimum sensitivity.
The child will sit quietly if he can observe the changes taking place in the mirror. You can also talk to him or play your favorite cartoon. When it is necessary for the face to be motionless, he is asked to close his eyes and dream. You can help your child by describing the details of what he is trying to imagine.
A young model should not be forced to sit still for too long. For example, while the applied layer dries, let the fidget jump a little. In this case, you need to ensure that the wet paint does not smear.
The workplace is not left unattended. It is necessary to control that the child does not get dirty, does not mix paints and does not begin to taste them.
For those who are going to do face art for the first time on their own, it is recommended to watch the training video first. It is advisable to do this in advance in order to have time to practice. You should not immediately choose complex drawings with small details. You need to start with something simpler. Then you can enjoy creativity and bring great joy to your baby.