How to Start A Face Painting Business

How to Start A Face Painting Business - Background Info:

Body painting is a form of body art, considered by some as the most ancient form of art. Body painting is temporary, painted onto the human skin, and lasts from hours to weeks.

Painting of the face is known as face painting. Actors and clowns around the world have painted their faces and bodies for centuries.

Today, body and face paintings are typically worn at football matches, at parties and at certain festivals. In recent years, face painting has become very popular among children at theme parks, parties and festivals throughout the Western world.

Face painting is an artistic expression that kids of all ages love. Small designs are easy to paint and require little more than the basic supplies. If you want to venture into the world of face paints, small designs are the easiest place to start.

Without formal training, it is still possible to create simple face painting designs that are also eye-catching and beautiful. Cheek art is the best way to accomplish simple face painting.

One of the biggest benefits of developing simple face painting designs (or cheek art) is saving time. In a fraction of the time, you can paint a small design or character on a child's cheek or arm and generate the same kind of "wow" that you would if you spent ten minutes painting an elaborate full face design.

Versatility is a big advantage with simple face painting. These small designs can be adapted and painted on the face/cheek, neck, shoulder, legs and arms. A simple snake looks fantastic slithering up the arm. A rose or other flower looks beautiful on the shoulder.

The skill needed for this kind of business does not require complicated designs. Since face painting will last until the patron chooses to wash it off, the designs should be simple yet fun and attractive. It can be as simple as stars, butterflies, flowers or patterns that is colorful and funky.

A kid's face painting business is a great one. You can work on weekends and set your own hours. A popular face painter can make a large amount of money. A professional face painting business is also perfect for teenagers and students for earning extra income.

How to Start A Face Painting Business - Tasks And Skills Needed To Run This Business:

Business Specific Tasks:

If you are planning to do all the business tasks or hiring or subcontracting tasks, here's a list of tasks that need to be attended to when it comes to the business side of running a face painting business:

Bookkeeping

Advertising/Marketing

Scheduling

Computer literacy

Answering machine

Industry Specific Tasks:

Same as above if you plan to do everything yourself or get help, here are some of the tasks necessary to operate a face painting business:

Face painting

Disinfecting of tools and brushes

Setup with table, chairs, awning or tent, mirror

Set up portfolio or laptop showing designs

Schedule events

Order supplies; make sure supplies are more than sufficient

Offer to take and print digital photos (charge a small, additional fee)

How to Start A Face Painting Business - Approximate Daily Hours Needed To Run This Business:

General Hours of Operation: - When your business is open - The face painting business has variable hours during the week, weekends, and holidays.

Hours Needed to Prepare - Before Opening and After Hours Activities - Prepare ahead of time, and have all the things you need ready in one place. Leaving chair for any purpose will leave the person unattended. If you are painting a child, the child may fall off the chair, or hurt his or her eyes with the paint, and other tools.

Number of Employees Needed To Run This Business:

Minimum Number of Employees - During the Start Up Phase: You can start this business yourself on a full- or part-time basis.

Number of Employees - Once Your Business is Up and Running Successfully:

Website maintenance

Face painting assistants

Setup

Inventory supply

Customer service: scheduling, information, etc.

Skill Requirements for This Business:

Setup and take down of tents/awnings

Artistic skill

Patience

Great with children

Marketing and promotion

Licenses:

Make sure that you will apply for a business permit in your locality to make your business legal. After doing this and getting hold of your business permit you can now start advertising. Your state may also require certification because you are applying topical agents to people's skin.

Approximate Minimum Start up Cost:

Bare essential: - For under $50.00, a beginner's "toolbox" of face painting supplies can be purchased. This cost pales in comparison to some of the financial commitments that are encouraged when starting other businesses or purchasing the inventory to sell at craft shows, etc.

Minimal exposure - A listing in the business section of your local newspaper, flyers, website, and business cards will cost you about $250 to start.

Necessary Equipment to A Face Painting Business:

Necessary Start-Up Equipment & Supplies:

Small angled paint brushes of various sizes with soft bristles

Face paint

Vinegar to clean brushes in between use

Hair clips

Sanitizing hand wipes (to remove mistakes and cleanse the face prior to painting) and/or baby wipes

Color wheel

Glitter

Body art

Cotton balls or pads

Sponges

Paper towels

Water

Chairs

Table

Awning or tent

Money pouch or lock box

Portfolio of your designs

Mirror

Liquid sanitizers in containers for brushes and sponges

Small trash can or bin

Supplementary Equipment: - Equipment or helpful products that you can acquire to once your business is off and running:

Laptop with face painting software

Face painting stencils

Face painting stamps

Digital camera

Portfolio of designs and work

Sanitizing trash bins

Electric sanitizers

Portable fan

Digital camera (for recording of work)

Portable printer (can charge extra for prints)

Monthly Expenses To Consider:

Answering and/or cell phone service
Wages
Tent or awning/table/chairs rental
Internet access
Certifications/permits
Advertising/Marketing
Electricity
Water
Face painting supplies

Special Requirements A Face Painting Business:

When you have mastered some of the more popular designs and have booked you first job, you need to make a great impression. Show up on time. Be prepared. Dress casually, yet not inappropriately. Remember to wear a shirt that will not fall forward when you lean over to paint a child's face.
The first and foremost thing to do when using face paint is to visualize the finished face before actually starting to paint. This will help you in knowing what you want to do, so that you do not have to think what should be drawn. This is important also because a child may not be very patient while you are thinking during the painting. That is why, you should think beforehand about what to paint.
Find something nice to say to every single child Do not skip a single child. Mention her outfit, his hair, cool shoes, or whatever else you can find. Parent's love it when people notice their child. And you can put an end to your business quickly by not making a connection with each child. You need to make every single child smile and feel good. Do not just sit silently and paint like a robot. Many people would never hire someone like that. But they would hire someone who made their daughter feel good. It is amazing how many face painters don't seem to enjoy children. Your business will explode if parents find out you were nice to their child.
Face painting design supplies should consist of good paintbrushes. Good paintbrushes will have the bristles securely fastened into the brush end, otherwise, the bristles will fall out and become part of the face painting design
Most places that you perform the face painting will require proof of liability insurance in case something happens.
If you are painting a child, explain him/her the necessity to remain during your time with him. A child or an adult who is constantly moving, or making rapid movements presents a risk of getting into a vague design. The paint may also go into the eyes, or your painting tools can cause bruising, or cuts. It is compulsory to position yourself comfortably before you start face painting. If you are in an uncomfortable position, you can injure the person. Also, make sure that there should no children around you while painting face. It may cause both of you a serious injury, or interrupt your work.
It is an excellent idea to use a white base coat under any bright colors; it will avoid you from staining skin. If you want a full co lour, then begin with a thin layer. When it is dried up, apply a second coat. Use a thin layer of paint, a thick layer can crack, and spoil the design.
Avoid symmetrical face painting designs such as butterflies until you are more experienced. Animal designs make good face painting ideas for beginners, as it is not necessary to have both sides on the animal face matching perfectly.
Supplement your basic face painting skills by using temporary tattoos, and stamps. They are available in a huge range of designs including snake, lizard, butterfly, and spider. Clean your hands to avoid infections, and germs transferring from one child to the next. You can use soap, water, or hand sanitizers in between face painting sessions.
Remember to disinfect all items between faces to keep things sanitary. All face paints should state on the labels that they are face paints and they are okay to use on the skin, start out with two or three paint brushes, and a small range of colors, the basic palettes have white, black, green, red, yellow, purple, and orange.

Pros And Cons:

The Pros of Running a Face Painting Business:

A face painting business is one of the easiest and lowest-cost to start.

You have the advantage of being your own boss and setting your own hours.

You get to work with 'children' of all ages

Fun and lucrative job

This business is completely expandable

The Cons of Running a Face Painting Business:

It may take time to get going

Children might be unreasonable to deal with or won't sit still

You could be working outdoors in hot weather

Type of Customers You Need to Attract For A Face Painting Business:

If you are a mom or a dad, you already have a customer base. All you have to do is hand out your card and tell everyone you come in contact with that you are going to start offering face painting services for children's parties and other gatherings.

Parents that you know will already have a sense of familiarity with you that will help you to get work. This is your advantage over other face painters that they don't know. And remember, if you do a great job, mommy marketing can spread the word about you faster than anything else!

Also, your customers can be found at fairs, church events, carnivals, festivals, sporting, and Fourth of July events.

Face Painting Business Statistics:

Face painting continues to be one of the most-requested birthday party events for children as well as for other events and holidays such as Halloween.

The most popular, simple face painting designs are:

Hearts: Whether the symbol of love is worn on Valentine's Day or just because, a classic painted red heart is a simple design that requires little skill.

Balloons: Balloons are a very popular small face paint design. Balloons can be painted solo or paired in a group of three or five and can even be painted in varied colors. A simple white string tied beneath each balloon or bunched together makes this design perfect for a clown, circus or festival dress-up theme or celebration.

Race cars: Race cars are a keen choice for boys of all ages. While a specific car may require extra detail and ornament, a basic car can be represented by drawing the body, wheels and a bumper. Adding flames to this simple design takes the whole design up a notch!

Smiley: Although often overlooked, a timeless smiley face is one of the easiest and most cheerful when it comes to face painting small designs. A round yellow circle gets paired with black eyes and a black curved smile and represents not only happiness, but the whole Woodstock-era. A smiley face is a great choice for 70's inspired costumes and parties, especially when paired with the beloved peace symbol.

Stars: Yellow stars can look very feminine or magical, depending on the placement and the number you paint. A single star makes a bold statement when painted solo on the cheek, while a flurry of stars sends an enchanting message. No matter the recipient, stars are always a winner.

Butterfly: Butterflies and dragonflies are a popular and easy face paint design. These winged insects elude happiness and can be made as intricate as desired with a variety of colors and glitter.

Football and baseballs: For the boys, a sports themed face painting design is an obvious choice! A soccer ball, basketball, football or baseball can be painted on the cheek to show off the recipient's love of sport. Each of these athletic balls are easy to paint and require little more than just a few select paint colors.

Spiders: Boys love insects and frogs, and when it comes to face painting, they still crave the creepy. A simple black spider is a fast face painting design that can make a big impact come Halloween. Witches, goblins and zombies can all wear a painted spider to add to their costume design.

If you're at a loss as to what designs to start painting, look no further than the television or movie theatre. What is the hottest kids' movie playing right now? What about the funniest animated show? Classic children's television programming is also a great place to start. Particularly for preschoolers, the characters are very simple in nature and therefore fairly easy to replicate

A clown face is a very simple face painting design. And since clowns can be happy, sad, silly or goofy, this one simple design with a few adjustments around the mouth is a great face painting design to have in your arsenal. A bright red nose, a larger than life red mouth (paint around the outside of the lips), large white area surrounding the red mouth, oversized eyebrows and some eye lines that extend from the outside of the eye toward the temples altogether make a simple clown face painting design that will get rave reviews.

Turning a little girl into a fairy princess is as simple as a few feathery lines around the eyes, starbursts at the end of each line and a bit of glitter.

Painting a pretend bracelet or necklace is a simple design yet very unique. Start by painting pearl sized dots around the wrist or neck and "dangle" a painted heart, peace sign or other "charm" from the painted "jewelry."

Try a simple rainbow face painting…a classic, but always popular. Paint red, yellow, green and blue 'horseshoe' shapes and add two little white puffs for clouds at the end of each side of the rainbow. voilà.! A happy kid!

Revenue:

Once you start face painting, you may find your love for the craft takes over. While a career in face painting can be a lucrative one (about $150 per hour per event), and you can also find steady work (even if just volunteer) at churches, festivals, and school functions.

In addition to perhaps earning an income while honing your craft, you may also find the hobby rewarding if you have small children at home. Face painting is an exciting hobby that can be practiced no matter the season.

Resources:

Industry-Specific Websites:

Learn How to Face Paint (Everything you need to know about face painting)

Katie the Great - Face Paint Artist

Doodlebug Face Painting

Face Painting Designs (UK)

Courses:

Face Painting Step-by-Step

Learn to Face Paint in Minutes

How to Face Paint in 10 Minutes (with video instructions/demo)

Step-by-Step Face Painting

Equipment and Supplies:

Celebrate Express

Bobbie Weiner

Amerikan Body Art

I Want to Be a Face Painter

Forums:

Snazaroo

Face Painting Chat

Face Painting Blog
Zoes Face and Body Art Painting in Kent (Facebook Group)

Associations:

FACE – The Face Painting Association

Face Painting and Body Art Association

Books:

Easy Face Painting

Staring You in the Face Free Download - Home-based Business: Face Painting

Face Paint Designs

Top 7 Face Painting Books

Software:

FileBuzz

Fun and Party Face Painting

Other:

How to Paint a Clown Face

Beginners' Face Painting Ideas For Christmas

Face Painting Designs for Kids

Circus Magic

Cat Face Painting

Related Businesses:

Birthday party planning
Event planning
Clown work
Balloon art; balloon animals
Theater/Stage
Circus/carnival
Cosmetology