| As the mom of a three and a five year old, | | | | create those kind of masterpieces. |
| I've been to many school events, community | | | | |
| festivals and charity functions where the | | | | So that's exactly where I chose to begin. I |
| face painting booth, no matter what else was | | | | wanted to watch a face painter in action, |
| going on, was the star attraction. | | | | talk to them, ask questions, dissect their |
| | | | technique. That is a pretty difficult thing |
| So I began to wonder, why is it that face | | | | to do in the middle of a festival or birthday |
| painting booths are so popular? | | | | party, but not if you hire one to come to |
| | | | your house...which is exactly what I did. |
| Attention - All children crave attention. | | | | |
| Come to think of it, most adults do too. | | | | Hiring a face painting professional could |
| When a child is sitting in the chair, the | | | | cost anywhere from $50 to over $200 an hour, |
| face painter is completely focused on that | | | | depending on where you live. But the |
| child. You can just see how special that | | | | information you glean will be invaluable. |
| child feels at that moment. | | | | Here are a few things I learned from my |
| | | | friend, the professional face painter: |
| Creativity - Any kind of painting is an | | | | |
| expression of creativity. When kids choose | | | | 1. Do use the right paints. Don't use any |
| the design they wish to have painted on their | | | | paints that are not specifically designed for |
| face, they take command of their own | | | | use on skin. |
| creativity and self-expression. | | | | |
| | | | 2. Don't use cheap brushes. Spend at least |
| Individuality - Kids are expected to have the | | | | $3.00 apiece on a few brushes and they will |
| right toys...the right clothes. Generation | | | | last a long time. |
| after generation, youngsters are encouraged | | | | |
| to conform to be socially accepted. Face | | | | 3. Don't try to be all things to all people. |
| Painting is one way to express individuality. | | | | It isn't necessary to paint 100 perfect |
| | | | designs. A small collection of 10 or 20 |
| Fun - Let's face it. Having your face | | | | simple designs will make you look like a hero |
| painted is just plain fun. And is there any | | | | to the children. |
| sweeter look than the quick glances that kids | | | | |
| take of themselves in the mirror after a face | | | | 4. Do practice as much as you can...on people |
| painting session? That little smirk on their | | | | or on paper. With practice comes speed. |
| face is priceless! | | | | |
| | | | 5. Don't be afraid of making a mistake. |
| Face painting seemed like an awesome way to | | | | Children are very forgiving, as is the paint. |
| entertain my kids on a rainy day. Face | | | | It's easily 'erasable'. |
| Painters make it look so easy. I thought, "I | | | | |
| can do that." | | | | 6. Don't be nervous about fidgety kids. |
| | | | Speak calmly and quietly and they'll usually |
| I had so many questions, but not a clue where | | | | stay still. |
| to start. I searched face painting on the | | | | |
| internet and although I found some beautiful | | | | 7. Do have fun. Face painting is a |
| photos of full face creations, they didn't | | | | therapeutic, creative outlet. |
| really help me much as a beginner. I simply | | | | |
| wanted to learn how to paint a flower design | | | | 8. Do share your newfound talent. Volunteer |
| on my daughter's cheek. I knew, however, | | | | your services at events and before you know |
| that I could learn a lot from the artists who | | | | it, someone may offer to pay you! |