The spotty creature taciturnly weaves its path in and around the partygoers , its backside bob ever so slenderly . maculation of gold are sprinkled across its latte - colored skin , creating a shimmery effect when the light hits it just so . That is the most amazingcheetahcostume , you think to yourself . And then suddenly the puppet is at your side , and you realize it ’s not a costume . Not really . It ’s a person whose trunk has been transformed into that of a cheetah with paint .
Body painting has been around since the commencement of time . Men wiped streaks of paint across their cheeks to fix for war ; women place dots on their forehead to point they were married ; intricate henna designs were paint onto young women ’s slender hands for decorative purposes . In many cultures , body painting for women morph into the current practice of slathering onfacial cosmetics . For manpower , it but disappear , economize for some indigenous peoples in Australia , New Zealand , India , Africa , Japan and the Pacific Islands [ sources : Bella Volen , The Pitt Rivers Museum ] .
Although traditional body house painting practices may no longer be in style in most of the earthly concern , the recitation still hold out on . It ’s just been a bit limited . Today we paint our torso as a var. of aesthetic expression . And just for plain old fun . There are two master types of dead body painting done today . Face painting and full - physical structure ( aka large - scale ) painting . The paint lend oneself is temporary and endure a few 60 minutes or a day . Designs can be simple or complex , with more streamlined pattern typically hold for the cheek , and more complex painting for the full body [ beginning : Design Your Way ] .
wonder what it would be like to be a body painter or a soundbox paintee ? Read on to see if you ’ve capture what it contract .
The Origins of Body Painting
When you think of body painting , picture of fancifully painted Vegas acrobats , Hollywood starlets or promotional character may derive to mind – the body - paint hoi polloi we recognise today . Yet physical structure - painting ’s origin stretch back most to the start of human beings . Some researchers say trunk house painting was in reality the first form of art . Indeed , historical records show that ancient people from Africa , Asia , Europe and Australia all decorated themselves with colorful " rouge . " Back then , natural pigments from plants and yield were used to make paint , typically in red , blue , yellow and white [ seed : Face - Painting - Fun , story of Cosmetics ] .
the great unwashed dress themselves with paint for countless reasons , especially societal and spiritual ones . marriage ceremony , funerals and other rites of passage , such as pubescence , were occasions for picture faces or torso parts . So waswar : organic structure picture could be part of disguise or to make the warriors look fiercer . Tattoos , piercings and even pock served these same purposes . Many religious ceremonies also featured consistence painting [ sources : Bella Volen , History of Cosmetics ] .
In westerly companionship , body painting did n’t go mainstream until more New times . Until the mid-20th C , it was mainly used by actors , circus performing artist or other entertainers . In 1933 , composition pioneer Max Factor shock attendant at the Chicago World ’s Fair with a au naturel mannikin in full cover in body paint . During the turbulent sixties , artist and hippies were trying to shake up the world , and painting face and body parts in psychedelic design was one means of self - expression [ informant : History of Cosmetics ] .
Still , the art did n’t really catch on with the ecumenical public until the ill-famed Vanity Fair powder magazine cover of August 1992 , which have actress Demi Moore in a striking turnout created whole from body rouge [ rootage : History of Cosmetics ] . By then the public was more tolerant of artistic license , and while the cover caused a stir , it was a cocksure one . Today eubstance painting is a widely have art form , consummate with universal competitions and Austria ’s famousWorld Bodypainting Festival , an annual event attracting ten of thousands .
What’s It Like to Have Your Body Painted?
You may believe get your body painted is a snap . You just put up there while someone brush paint all over your body – how intemperately can that be ? There ’s actually a petty more to it than that . First , a quality body painting chore takes a fair amount of time . Do n’t expect to breeze in and out of the studio apartment in just an hr or two . Since it may take several hours and will belike be a tiring process , verify you ’ve eaten before you arrive for your academic session , and that you ’re well hydrated [ source : Model Mayhem ] .
You ’ll also need to prep your skin beforehand of fourth dimension . madam , check that youshave your legsand armpits . Men , cut back your consistence haircloth ( face , plus any wild breast or back hair ) . Do n’t put any lotion on your skin , either . In fact , ensure your skin is clean and without deodorant , program , oil or tanning products . All of these product form roadblock on your skin that may make it unmanageable for the rouge to stick to [ sources : Model Mayhem , Skin City ] .
Once the painting starts , you ’ll have to contain as still as possible so the painter can do a good job . However , do n’t hesitate to speak up if you need to shift status or sit down down . No one can stand absolutely still for 60 minutes on remainder . Also , it ’s important to commemorate that while you ’re posing , do n’t lock your knees . If you do , this can cause you to pass out[source : Model Mayhem ]
Eventually , your body will be full paint and you’re able to savor the result . If your catamount used professional - class body paint , the painting chore should last a full day or even more , and will be able to withstand touching , squeeze and even having light , soft article of clothing over it . When it ’s time to clean up , regular soap and H2O will easily take away water - base paints , while longer - survive , alcohol - base paints may require chafe alcohol to be wiped away . Once you ’re clean and paint - spare , hydrate your skin with a quality lotion [ source : Inside Jobs , Skin City ] .
How Can I Become A Body Painter?
The good news is there are no extensive educational requirements for physical structure panther . consort to the U.S. Department of Labor , 95 percentage of body pigment creative person have n’t buy the farm to college , although 45 percent of those mass do have a certificate from complete some eccentric of education program . Many also encounter on - the - task experience [ source : Inside Jobs ] .
While there are no set requirement for who can or ca n’t become a body Felis concolor , clearly you ’ll need to have a certain floor of artistic ability . This level can vary quite a bit , however . If you design on marketing yourself as a kiddie face painter for small festival and natal day company , you ’ll only need a basic stage of competence ; i.e. , an ability to paint hearts , stars and suns . But if you ’re plan to paint total bodies , which generally means you ’ll be painting complex patterns and innovation , you ’ll need true artistic savvy . It also aid to be creative , as some clients will number on you to arrive up with ideas .
You do n’t need expensive equipment to do torso painting . Here are some basic supplies [ source : Mason ] .
There are many types of body paint , each with their pros and bunko . Water - free-base paints are easier to gargle off but lack staying king . Alcohol - based key last longer but are a bother to clean house off . Latex key typeset quickly but some models are allergic to it . pop brands of organic structure blusher include Ben Nye and Kryolan . you may also use markers or regular cosmetics ( likelipstick ) for details [ sources : Bradford , Cain ] .
As far as proficiency , some painters apply airbrushing which is similar to spray painting . This can cover a gravid country rapidly but is expensive . Others will apply the rouge only using parazoan and brushes . apparently you ’ll want to experiment with different proficiency before regain what works for you . utilise the abstemious colors first and then move to the dark ones . Keep the pattern childlike initially and give yourself lots of time . It can take three 60 minutes to do just a face [ source : Cain ] .
So who rent consistency cougar ? Some publications and advertising means commission them for photo shoot , and movie studios often hire them to transmute histrion into , say , neon - unripened aliens . consistence painters may also demonstrate their art at parties or nightclubs , and of course , do private sessions for client .
Lots More Information
I ’m quite scheme by the trunk painting image I ’ve seen while ready this clause . Many are quite masterfully done and/or very clever . Now I ’d like to see a resilient example .
