Supplies Needed for the Beginning Face Painter

Face painting is a fun hobby that you can learn easily with the right tools. This article will discuss the supplies needed for a beginning face painter, without having to invest in an expensive kit or unwanted supplies.

Paints

All face paint is not created equal. You will want to buy cosmetic grade paint made specifically for face painting. Some people use acrylic craft paint and this is not ok as it is not suitable for using on skin. Some of the popular and reliable brands are Snazaroo, Kryolan, Paradise and Wolfe. Snazaroo is a favorite with those that work with children and is available nationwide in the United States in major craft stores for around $15. There are also other lines of paint for those that want to delve further into the art of body painting, and glitter tattoos. There are several online suppliers of face paint as well. Be sure whatever you do, invest in good paint. Don't buy craft paint make sure it's face paint! You don't want to risk someone you are painting having an allergic reaction!

Brushes & Sponges

Unlike the paint you can use regular old art brushes for face painting. There are so many different brushes on the market. The following are the most commonly used brushes by face painter. Rounds, filberts, flat, butterfly and more. There are dozens of brushes and specialty brushes on the market. They are also made of different materials such as sable or synthetic materials. Expect to invest in a half a dozen brushes to start with. Experiment with various sizes.

For a beginners 6 brushes an example would be;

2 #4 rounds
2 #6 rounds
1 #8 round
1 #8 flat

These 6 brushes will get you started and provide you with a nice selection for developing different brushstroke techniques.

Sponges are also another must for face painters. The best sponges are like the type you would use to wash your car or equine ones. You can buy face painting sponges but the former are cheaper. You can buy 1 large sponge for under $5 and cut it up to make a few dozen smaller ones. Foam makeup sponges generally do not work well for water based paints.

Miscellaneous

Other items you will need are a mirror, baby wipes, paper towels, a spray bottle and bobby pins for pinning hair back.

Face painting supplies for the beginner face painter need not cost a fortune. You should be able to get a basic palette of paints, half a dozen brushes and your other necessities for well under $50. Shop around and use things you already have in the miscellaneous category.

Face painting is an enjoyable hobby and a skill you will find useful for entertaining children and adults alike.