Can Face & Body Painting Provide a Career

In recent years the art of face and body painting has gained increased worldwide popularity.  Every day, those who were once painting on canvas have found the face and body more interesting and challenging than a tight flat piece of fabric on a frame.

This has also given advertisers a new way to get the attention of the public: by using beautiful bodies painted with intriguing and glorious designs, and they are able to promote a product too!

From the beginning of time, humans have painted their bodies for a variety of reasons.  Some ancient tribes used skin dyes made of pigments composed of plant extracts or mineral clays and powders; they would mix these pigments with vegetable oil or animal fat to paint themselves for special occasions.  Many tribes considered face painting as a way to transform a person into a spirit.  Some native groups valued the opportunity of displaying themselves as works of art.  Face painting was not only used to adorn oneself, but some cultures used body painting as a protection for the skin, while others used face and body painting for rituals such as weddings, funerals, battles, tribal counsel meetings  -- occasions of change, of spiritual reverence, of power, of respect.  Humans everywhere embellished the living and adorned the dead with face paint. 
 

Eventually face and body painting was adapted by artists for theatrical performances and staged presentations.  In more modern times, we can find face and body painting in a huge number of venues.

There are so many opportunities where a Face & Body Painting artist can work:  fairs and amusement parks, birthday parties, carnivals, school and sporting events.  Body painting has become a welcome site in television commercials, print ads, music videos, on-line, in videos, car shows, trade shows, etc.

So, if you know how to work with cosmetics or you have experience in painting and drawing, you must consider this field.  You will enter a new arena in the competitive world of art.  There are different techniques to achieve face and body painting and learning all about them or taking classes for guidance is a good idea.