How to Face Paint

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I just came across this blog post for couples trying to organize their own ‘perfect wedding’ and it had some great tips about how to keep the children entertained. Elle (from wedaholic.com) suggests hiring a clown or magician or a face painter to keep the kids entertained. And I’d never thought about doing face painting or clowning at a wedding!

So then I thought, it might be a good idea to get in touch with the wedding planners in your area, and give them your portfolio/details, who knows…your next face painting gig might be at a wedding!

Have you ever had a face painting
or clowning gig at a Wedding?
Or maybe a gig at an unusual time or occassion?
If you have, I’d love to hear about it,
Just Leave a Comment:-)

Happy Face Painting,

Philadelphia Tivoli
P.s Learn face painting the fun and easy way with our step-by-step photos….and watch your friends go green with envy when they see your new talent!

I know you’re all excited to hear who has won, but firstly I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who sent in their stories. There were so many that I couldn’t even fit them on the blog for this month! It has been a such a pleasure reading your heart felt, funny and inspiring stories and I know that our blog readers all around the world are enjoying your words too.

And I’d like to add, that it was sooooo hard to pick the winners, you all did a wonderful job!

But, without further or do here are the competition winners:

The $50 Gift Certificate from Silly Farm Supplies for the Best Author goes to:

Dana Chavez from New Mexico!

Congratulations Dana, you will be receiving
your gift certificate very soon!

And the $10 Certificate from Silly Farm Supplies for the Best Commenter goes to:

Cheryl M. Henderson (aka Mrs Bunny the Clown) from St Louis!

Congratulations Cheryl, you will be receiving
your gift certificate very soon!

Thank you all again for participating, your stories have been helpful to more people than you think! You can start sending in your entries for the February Competition and ofcourse keep making comments right away!

For February, I’d like to see some different kinds of entries than before. I want more entries with:  

* Helpful tips and face painting techniques for other face painters, 
* Face painting supplies/Product Reviews and
* Helpful information for the business side of face painting.

And I want you to send in more photos, or even video if you can, that would be awesome!

To get all the info on the competition click on this link: Silly Farm Competition.

Happy Face Painting

Philadelphia Tivoli
Want face paint designs with step by step photos and instructions? Check out: www.FacePaintingTips.com

I was recently asked this question on the blog, and I’d love to give you a straight up answer, but alas, I can’t! There are heaps of different things to consider when it comes to pricing your face painting services, so instead of giving you one number, I’m going to tell you what to consider, so that you can come up with your own prices that are fair to both you and your customers.

Now ask yourselves these questions:

Where do you live or What area do you want to work in?
This is important because the area that you work in will factor into how much you can reasonably charge. So do a little research, find out how much is being charged by other face painters, and have a look at the quality and speed of their work. This at the very least should give you a ball park to start from.
 
How much experience do you have with face painting?
If you’re completely new, chances are you’re not as quick as those who have been doing it for years. So if it takes you say, 8 minutes to do a design, you’re not going to get away with charging the same amount per hour as someone who can paint the same design in 4 minutes.

What kind of event are you painting at?
If its a charity event, you can choose to give a discount. Some painters even charge just to cover expenses.

Are you supplying the face paints or are they?
You might get an event where its provided for you, not very likely but still possible and if so you can give a discount. Remember a professional face paints kit- including face paints, brushes, glitter etc can cost anywhere from $150-$300, so your materials really need to be factored into the equation. But don’t think you have to go out and buy a professional kit for your first gig, start with a smaller kit, make some money and then invest in a professional kit when you can afford it.   

I’ll post Part 2 and possibly Part 3 of  ”How Much Should I Charge for Face Painting?” in the next week or two to come, so stay tuned to find out more. If you have any questions about what I’ve posted so far, or have something to add, leave a comment. And have a great day!

Happy Face Painting

Philadelphia Tivoli
Want some help learning face paint designs before you get out there to make some money? We’ll show you how to paint popular face paint designs in minutes!

The following is an entry sent in for our monthly Silly Farm Supplies Competition!

“Passion for Face Painting”
Sent in by Dana Chavez

Passion + hard work = happy living!!!

Growing up, I would always be the person everyone would go to for their halloween make-up. Having twelve male cousins who lived just down the street, I’d spend halloween afternoon creating skeletons, monsters, vampires, frankenstein’s monters, werwolves, gallons of home-made fake blood, gashes, scrapes, black eyes, knife wounds, wrinkled necks, tattered clothing, even a laddel filled with brains dripping from my brother’s ear once. The possibilities were endless.

It was always so much fun doing costume after costume, coming up with all these crazy ideas. In school I would do make-up for the theatrical performances we did. As a young person, I never thought that painting faces would ever be more than a fun hobby. I never figured there would be a way to make a living at it. And now I’m finding that I was wrong!

My son is 5 and in pre-school. His school is always doing fundraisers and carnival events. And I am always more than delighted to help! One windy afternoon, last October, we were painting faces as a fundraiser at a local festival. We started at noon and I actually didn’t stop until it got to dark for me to see. It was a wonderful afternoon. Kids lined up and one after the other came and sat at my station. I painted face after face, tigers, dogs, cats, monsters, aliens, snakes, you name it!

To my surprise, I also received a lot of parents asking for my phone number. I had never considered face painting at birthday parties, but the door swung wide open, with parents willing to pay me to paint faces! So, I gave them my information and by the next week, I had already booked four birthday parties and a stint at my office’s children’s party.

Now we are heading into February, and our 13th Annual Community Arts Party, were I will be painting faces for five hours! With over a 1,000 attendees I’m sure I’ll be able to create some exciting new faces!

I guess it just goes to show everyone, that when you find something you love doing, really love doing, that with enough determination and vision, you can turn that passion into a budding career! I’ve always believed that you should enjoy and love your job, what good is making gobs of money if you wake up miserable and go to sleep just as unhappy? The average person spends 80% of their lives at work, why not have an occupation that makes you dread 5:00pm?

You’ll live a healthier, happier life! 

Dana Chavez
NM Tech Performing Arts Series
____________________________________

Thanks for sending this in Dana. Life is short and we should spend our time doing the things we love, and its great to hear about somebody else who is also doing this! I’ll be posting the rest of the stories throughout January until the 30th when I announce the winner. To find out more and enter the face painting Silly Farm contest click here: 

Happy Face Painting,

Philadelphia Tivoli
P.s Do you hate your job? Want to do something you love instead? Let us help you learn how to face paint with our step-by-step face painting designs  photos and instructions so that you can make money doing something you enjoy!

The following is an entry sent in for our monthly Silly Farm Supplies Competition!
____________________________

A Lucky Face Painting Student
Sent in by Barb McMillin

My name is Barb McMillin and I work for the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn. One of the services that the museum offered when I first started was “face painting” at children’s birthday parties.  It was something that I felt needed to be restructured.  The quality of everything was not what it could be.  So I began to research this industry.  I called local costume shops, tried to contact fellow face painters in the area and got nowhere.  I was looking for a place to learn and purchase product.  I kept running into dead ends, and nobody would help.

Until one day the museum got a mailing from the Haunt Fest Convention being held at Rosemont. As I am reading the flyer I see that there is this woman who will be there and she had something to do with face painting!  A real live person!! I was thrilled.  So I called this lady and begged her to give me a class and she agreed.  Little did I know who she was, Marcela!! Of all the Luck.

She took the time to answer all my questions and point me in the right direction.  She recommended I attend the convention in Florida and I took her advice. Her passion for her work has not just helped me but all of our painters and the museum.   I have never met a group of people so willing to share their knowledge and talent.

I was able to bring all of the information back to our staff and volunteers and turn our face painting into a marketing tool that has helped the museum financially and become a viable service to our community.

In Marcela’s books she has many inspiring quotes that I think that try to explain her philosophy.   But the one I think expresses it best is her pay it forward example.  She could have just blown me off.  Instead she took that extra effort to help me get started. The museum would never be where we are now if she had not taken the time to share her knowledge and talent with a very naive rookie. Thanks Marcela you’re the best!

___________________________________________________
Thanks for sending this in Barb. I completely understand how a great teacher like Marcela can make a huge impact on your life! I’ll be posting the rest of the stories throughout January until the 30th when I announce the winner. To find out more and enter the contest click on this link: 
http://www.facepaintingtips.com/blog/competitions

Happy Face Painting,

Philadelphia Tivoli
Can’t find a teacher in your area? Then learn at home with the help of our step-by-step face painting designs  photos and instructions today!

I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that your display board is pretty crucial for your face painting business at bringing in new customers when you’re out face painting right?

I thought I’d give you a simple way to make your own display board for face painting designs from home, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

* First of all, take photos of your face painting designs. Make sure you’ve got good lighting and the photos are nice and close up. Also makesure that your models are smiling in the photos, you won’t impress people with sad or cranky looking models now, will you?

* Then print them out and glue them to a piece of cardboard carefully and neatly.  Think about where you’re going to place each photo before you glue them down. 

* Makesure to put a title at the top with your Company Name/Stage Name.

* Laminate the cardboard, then stick that to a thicker piece of board (the kind of one that has foam inbetween maybe) And find a way to prop it up like maybe put it on your table between two books.

For all the face painters out there, who already have display boards for their face painting designs …

…How did you make your display board?

Or if you bought yours, where from?

Leave your answer by leaving a comment.

You can even send in photos of your display board to
info(at)facepaintingtips(dot)com and I’ll post it on the blog so
you can show it off to the world!

Happy Face Painting

Philadelphia Tivoli

P.s You’ll be suprised at how quickly you’ll master face painting when you use our fun and easy face painting designs with step by step photos and instructions!

The following is an entry sent in for our monthly Silly Farm Competition!
________________________________ 
Face Painting by Glowstick!
Sent in by Debbi  

Last  year, summer 2007, I donated my services to a picnic for the Dream Factory in Kansas City.  This is a 100% volunteer group that grants wishes to kids who are terribly ill or dying.  I am a baby in the world of face paining and they offered to refund my expenses for supplies.  A win-win situation for all involved.

The afternoon started off slow but before long we had lines!  Not one line but three with 8 to 10 in each line!  A few volunteers, not face painters, agreed to help me.  I gave them spray on hair color and tattoos.  Another volunteer felt comfortable using stencils and doing hand and check art so I could stay with the full face stuff. 

Although this may not sound like much in the ways of an interesting story, what happens next is what made it so incredibly memorable for me. 

Dusk came, the hair coloring and tattoos were all gone and most of the other volunteers had left.  It was just me and the cheek art volunteer.  This was an outside event in a park, no lights.  The lines were still there.  I was not going to disappoint these special and deserving kids. 

By the time the scheduled fireworks show had ended (you can imagine how dark it was for that to happen), we were still face painting by GLOW STICK!!!

I was laughing my head off and the kids thought this way of painting was great.   A few times some of the moms would open and close their cell phones open so we could use the light from the phone displays. 

I still laugh when I think back on that evening. This summer is already lined up.  (Although I was thinking, I might bring a lantern with me this time). 

BIO

Debbi - private school administrator/teacher & mom of four face/body painting models. Started face painting to help out a community carnival about four years ago and really liked it. I have continued over the years just for fun.  It is a great stress reliever and no where near as fattening as chocolate.  I donate any earnings from my work to the Dream Factory of KC to help grant wishes to seriously ill and dying children.
______________________________
Thanks for sending this in Debbi! What a magical event that must have been for you, I wish I was there, it sounded like a lot of fun! I’ll be posting the rest of the stories throughout January until the 30th when I announce the winner. To find out more and enter the contest click on this link: 
http://www.facepaintingtips.com/blog/competitions

Happy Face Painting,

Philadelphia Tivoli
Learn how to face paint with step-by-step face painting designs today!

Some face painters stand while they paint, and others prefer to be seated. Either way you need to make sure that you are comfortable, thats the main thing. 

It is very easy to do long-term damage to your back by holding an uncomfortable position for hours, and face painting is an activity that can easily cause repetitive-stress injuries.

Thats why I’m writing this post.

It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of face painting and forget to look after yourself.

You really need to organize your work space to minimize the amount of repetitive bending, stretching, and twisting that you have to do while painting, to avoid repetitive-stress injuries.

So remember to stop and take a break to stretch after every few paintings and read the following notes on how to minimize any negative impacts on your body whether you prefer to stand or sit.

If you prefer to sit…

When it comes to chairs, you might want to get a chair with adjustable height for the model, so you can adjust the seat accordingly depending on whether they’re tall or short. It’s much easier when the models face is at the same height as yours.

When you’re sitting down, always paint in a comfortable position, don’t lean forward too much because you can hurt your neck and back, make the model lean forward if anything, (they only have to do it for 5 minutes, you have a lot longer)

Directors chairs are really popular, a popular place for face painters to get them is EZ up: http://www.ezup.com/accessories/dirchair.shtml

If you prefer to stand…

You definately need to wear comfortable and supportive shoes. Make sure to sit your model at the right height so that you don’t need to bend or lean and can keep good posture at all times. 

What do prefer? What do you find works best for you?

Leave me a comment to tell me what you think, or maybe send me a picture of you standing or sitting while you paint, to show how you are able to paint comfortably at info(at)facepaintingtips(dot)com

Happy Face Painting

Philadelphia Tivoli
Learn face painting with our step-by-step face painting photos and instructions today!

The following is an entry sent in for our monthly Silly Farm Competition!
________________________________ 
Clown Turned Face Painter
Sent in by Cheryl M. Henderson

My name is Mrs. Bunny, The Clown! I’m fairly new at face painting because my clown business just started about 3 years ago. I must say face painting has not been easy for me because I’m not a very good artist. In fact, I’m not an artist at all! My drawings were limited to paper dolls and stick figures. It was pitiful!

As I studied to be a clown, I saw that face painting was a highlight of the business. I knew I was in trouble. I started practicing with markers, but the color wasn’t vibrant enough and my designs were limited. I honestly didn’t know what to do to improve my skills. I wanted to take classes, but where can you find such classes? That’s when the light bulb came on: check online! That’s where I found facepaintingtips.com and YouTube.com with Heather of Silly Farm. It was a life saver! What I learned was immeasurable! I began practicing everyday for hours. Little by little the skill started developing. Although I’m not at the caliber that you guys are, I can now turn a simple flower into something dazzling!

For people like me who were not born with artistic gifts, the help I have received from facepaintingtips.com and SillyFarm.com has taken my abilities to new heights. I am very grateful to you all!

My Bio:

My name is Cheryl M. Henderson. I was born January 29th in St. Louis, MO. I love kids and love to make people laugh. Being a clown just fits my personality. My friends say that I was born to the part. I wonder if I’ve been insulted??

_________________________________
Thanks for sending this in Cheryl. I’ll be posting the rest of the stories throughout January until the 30th when I announce the winner. To find out more and enter the contest click on this link: 
http://www.facepaintingtips.com/blog/competitions

Happy Face Painting,

Philadelphia Tivoli
Learn how to face paint with step-by-step face painting designs today!

Here are the details for face painting courses and classes that are happening around the world in January 2008. If you’re holding face painting courses and classes yourself or you know of face painting courses and classes that are coming up (that aren’t listed here), then email me and I’ll have them posted asap:
i n f o (at) f a c e p a i n t i n g t i p s (dot) c o m 

Saturday, January 19 2008
10 am to 3pm Rosey Jones Workshop Telford, UK

Beginners at face painting! Start from scratch with blending, brush control and the most popular faces to get you started. Cheek art will be covered. Receive a certificate on completion.

Event Website: www.rainbowfaces.co.uk/RainbowFaceswe/Training_Pagex.
Contact Name: Rosey Jones
Contact Phone:  01952 60 60 99
Contact eMail: rainbowfaces@supanet.com
 

Monday, January 21 2008
6:30pm - 10:00pm Face Painting Jam Vienna, VA

We are having our 3rd Monday of the month face painting jam. Absolutely all skill levels are welcome. Please feel free to bring your children (they will probably be painted, too!). Don’t worry if you can’t be there exactly at 6:30.Bring your kit or not. We will have those demonstrating the various designs set up there kits and go from one person to the next.I hope to see many of you there.Looking forward to seeing as many at the jam!

Contact Name: Carol “Dee Vinchey” Turman
Contact eMail: CAROLTURMANVA@aol.com
Event Location: Fuddruckers
Event Location: Phone 703-821-8581
 

Monday, January 21 2008 - Thursday, January 24 2008
8:00am - 9:00pm Mama Clown Face Painting Classes at Clown Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Hosting American Clown Idol. With Mama Clown, Dave Spitler, Cathy Mackay, Harry Allen, Dave Hill, Ron Conley, Gary Elem, Tom King, Jim Howle, Billy Scadlock, and Steve Kissell. For more details check the website.

Event Website: www.clownvegas.com/
Contact Name: Steve Kissel
Contact Phone:  757-423-3867
Contact eMail: KissellTalks@cs.com
Event Location:  The Orleans Hotel and Casino
Event Location: Phone 702-365-7535

Can’t find a class in your area?
Want Face Painting Courses that you can take in the comfort of your own home? Then Download The Comprehensive Guide to Face Painting at www.FacePaintingTips.com today!   

Thursday, January 24 2008 - Sunday, January 27 2008
9:00am - 9:00pm Wolf Brother’s Face Painting Classes at Clown City’s January Jamboree Mystic, Connecticut

One of the most loved conventions on the East Coast!! Come see for yourself! Feel the love, warmth and friendship as you join our family for informative lectures on: Magic, Balloons, Puppets, Face Painting and more. 2 fabulous shows, free continental breakfast, 2 wonderful dinners, 3 hospitality rooms each night with: Entertainment Workshops, Competitions in Magic, Face Painting, Balloons, Skits and Makeup.

Event Website: www.clowncityonline.com/ 
Contact Phone:  860- 889-1000
Contact eMail: clowncity@snet.net
Event Location:  The Mystic Hilton Hotel
Event Location: Phone 860-572-0731

Monday, January 28 2008 - Thursday, January 31 2008
Gary and Raphaelle Fieldhouse Workshop Round Hill, VA

This is a hands-on workshop. Throughout the two days you will have the chance to see whatever face you would like to improve on during the class. Raphaelle’s work has been inspired by God’s creations all around her from the smallest blue tree frog to the tallest giraffe. We hope you won’t just go away with the designs you learn in this course, but we will help to inspire and evolve your own designs to make you grow as a painter.

Contact Name: Carol Turman
Contact Phone:  540-554-2168
Contact eMail: carolturmanva@aol.com

Can’t find a class in your area?
Want Face Painting Courses that you can take in the comfort of your own home? Then Download The Comprehensive Guide to Face Painting at www.FacePaintingTips.com today!  
Happy Face Painting

Philadelphia Tivoli
Face Painting Tips