Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Tips for models and event planners

About Face Painting

How long does face painting take?

Anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on the design. If you’re hiring face painters for a large group of kids, designs are kept to 5 minutes each. Custom designs for photo-shoots, costumed staff or characters, tv appearances, etc, can take from 15 to 60 minutes.

 

Is the face paint easy to wash off?

Body Masterpiece uses only the highest quality hypoallergenic face paints and glitters that are approved for use on the skin. These paints wash off easily with soap and water.

 

Can I sleep in the face paint?

Yes. You will want to cover your nice pillow case with an old t-shirt, as there will be some transfer. If you get sweaty when you sleep, the design may not hold up overnight, however.

 

I’m planning on having over a hundred kids at my event. How will you paint them all?

Body Masterpiece has a fleet of elite painters. You’ll want to hire one painter per hour for each set of 12 guests.
For example:
One painter can paint about 12 kids in an hour, 24 kids in 2 hours. Two painters can paint about 24 kids in one hour, and 48 kids in 2 hours. Three painters can paint about 36 kids in one hour, and 72 kids in 2 hours. For your party of 100 kids, two painters can paint them all in about 4 hours.

 

About Body Painting

How long does body painting take?

Anywhere from 1 hour (for a single color wash) to 5 hours. Human statues done with a marble or ice effect take about 2-2.5 hours. A full body cheetah takes about 2.5 hours. Custom designs including clothing, logos, or famous art works generally take 4-5 hours, and are also charged for the design work done ahead of time; usually one to two hours.

How do you know what to paint?

Several hours of research and design work go into each full body piece, and the artist will arrive with not only reference photos, but a "map" of the entire design front, sides, and back.

How do you know how long it will take?

Using the body map, the artist can estimate how long each portion of the design will take. She will then make a timeline and stick to it during the painting process.

Won't it be weird to have an almost nude model standing in front of my guests?

There are a number of ways to get around this. Firstly, we always spend at least an hour in a private back stage area painting over the most controversial areas, so when the model steps into the party, she is already partially covered. You can also opt for latex pasties or even a bra for modesty, both of which can be painted over. We only paint models who are wearing bottoms.

What kind of events use body painting?

Body Masterpiece has body painted at museum shows and openings ( both the DeYoung and SF MOMA museums), product launches, trade shows, cocktail parties, 60th birthdays, casinos, arts festivals, Halloween parties, and more.

I'm planning on having body painting at my event, what do I need to do to prepare?

Download the body painting tips for event planners here.
Coming Soon.

I am the model getting painted. What should I bring and prepare?

Download the body painting tips for models here.
Coming Soon.

Tips for Event Planners and Models

Face painting tips for event planners:

• Allow five minutes per face.
• Place artists in a well- lighted area, but out of direct sunlight.
• Let your guests know ahead of time when the face painting is scheduled to begin and end.
• Consider having a staff person or volunteer act as a line manager- especially for the last hour of face painting. Time spent by the artist(s) managing and ending the line takes time away from painting your guests.
• Avoid placing the artists near load music or water games. Loud music makes it difficult to hear guests' requests, and splashes of water can ruin a finished masterpiece.
• Be sure the artists are provided with lots of bottled drinking water.

Body painting tips for event planners

• Set up a private, warm secure area for the models and artists. This will be a place to get undressed, prepare, and store personal belongings, so it must be separated from the public and the comings and goings of staff.
• Be sure to have plenty of bottled drinking water on hand for models and artists.
• Make sure the backstage and onstage areas are well lit. You want your guests to see the masterpiece you're paying for!
• If painting is to be done while the public watches, it is best to have this happen on a raised platform at least 4' x 4'. If it must be done on the floor, then rope off the area to prevent spills and bumps between guests and artists.

Body painting tips for models

• Bring flesh-colored nylon/spandex bikini, thong, or g-string underwear.
• Bring a pair of black or nude heels or boots.
• Bring snacks such as power bars and water - stay hydrated!
• Artists will provide pasties or a bra (depending on the client's request). Please advise artist ahead of time if you have a latex allergy.
• Expect to spend 2 - 5 hours being painted.
• Bring grubby clothes to wear home after the event. Most event facilities won't have a shower for you.
• Arrive early enough that you have time to find the venue, park, carry your stuff in, go potty, eat something, get changed, etc, and be in place in your undies at the appointed start time. If we are scheduled to start painting at 6pm, please do not pull into the parking lot at 6pm.
• Arrive clean shaven with no oily or greasy skin products.
• Show up wearing light glamour makeup. In the event that start times shift or we run out of time to paint your face, you want your face to look pretty.