Body Painting Techniques and Design Ideas

There are several ways you can paint on the human body. Some are faster then others and some are more affordable then others. It is up to your style and budget as to how you want to create your art.

Tempera

This has been a favorite for some time now. This maybe because it is one of the least expensive methods to body painting. It looks good while wet but when it dries it begins to flake off quickly. This results in a huge mess.

Markers

One of the most affordable methods is to use is markers. Crayola’s markers for kids are non-toxic. They made them with the thought that kids would probably get them on their skin and moms would need to wash them off. So this method will last for a good amount of time but it will not last well with water or sweet or if it gets rubbed. It will not wrinkle like many paints when the skin stretches or bends. These markers also will not peel like some paints might. The down side of this method is it takes a considerable amount of time to complete a piece of art.

Textile Acrylics

You can apply these by airbrush or paintbrush; either will give you satisfactory results. This method is also farley cheap and the results are great. These paints are not designed for the skin, so be careful. They are non-toxic but be sure to check the labels. They dry quickly and do not rub off easily, and they wash off easily with soap and water.

Liquid Latex

This medium has been around for a long but has recently become very popular. It now comes in a variety of colors. Originally it only came in a nude flesh tone. It is frequently used to create latex clothing. This liquid latex is great for body paint. You can create so many different textures and colors; you will have fun experiment with all your options. You can mix metallic or sprinkles in with the latex before you apply it. You can place fabric on the skin, or beads and then apply the paint for a unique texture. This paint can be applied with an airbrush or a paintbrush. A warning to the use of a paintbrush is you will be left with a ridged lining rather then the smooth effect. The thicker the layers the easier it is to peel off this latex, this applies to shaved skin. You can also use the nude color as a base and then apply things that are not so good for the skin.

Airbrush Acrylics

This are the safest and dry quickly. They do cost more then the methods already discussed. These acrylics offer great flexibility. You should use these products if you want a professional finish.

You can use all of these methods individually or a combination of them for different affects. If you have not done body painting before you will enjoy the ability to express your art on the human body. You should be aware that it is not uncommon for a full body painting to take over 10 hours to complete. So get your ideas ready and get comfy. You will be working for a while but it will be worth it for the great outcome.

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