Best type of paint for beginners?

[lazermuffy]

We've tried a little body painting in the past. We grabbed some "face paints" during a Halloween sale. We think they're actually grease paint in small, squeezable tubes. YIKES! What a disaster! It never seemed to dry. It was smudging everywhere and made a royal mess.

A friend recommended trying craft store paints. The water-based acrylics in the small bottles (typically used for painting small craft projects) dry nicely and clean-up easily. Are these safe for body painting experiments that might be worn for hours?

If they aren't, is there an easily available type of paint in a variety of colors you'd recommend for beginners that are just experimenting?

[David77]

Best body paint?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=best+kind+of+body+paint%3F&btnG=Google+Search

[GymFuzz]

Actually, I would stick with the makeup. That's what the pros use.

Jim

[NakedGary]

Image of professionally done body painting

[DoctorSurferDude]

Acrylic?

It's really really cheap.

[lazermuffy]

We realize it's really cheap. Guessing the most appropriate question is if it is safe to use? For experimentation and trying to learn, does it apply like high-quality paints that are not as easy to find?

[David77]

We realize it's really cheap. Guessing the most appropriate question is if it is safe to use? For experimentation and trying to learn, does it apply like high-quality paints that are not as easy to find?

I do not know whether it is safe for a lot of acrylic paint over the human body, but I do not think that you would want to put very much of this paint on your body, as I do know that when I use acrylic paint in painting the house and in painting fine arts pictures, when the paint dries for awhile, it is extremely hard to get any off my skin. When acrylic paint is still wet, you can wash it off. Acrylics, a water based paint, seems easier on the lungs as you don't breathe the terpentine funes, as in oil based paint, but both are easy to apply.

[Atlanta Runner]

Ive done body "paint" for Burning Man a few years as well as some Halloween parties and road races. I would highly recommed the body dusting over the paints.

try this site for the body make up. extremecostumes.com/manic.htm#manic
I would not recommend any body "paint" and would stick with the dusts. The metallic ones work best and really show up in the sun after it is dried. We found that the best way is to either use an application liquid which you can probably find on that site to wet the skin and then you just dust the make up over it or you mix a little of the 2 together and once it dries, it looks awesome. The best thing about it is that it is dry and very breathable on the skin. The paints are just too messy and don't feel good. Get a few good spounges and brushes since it is really hard to reuse them if you already have a color on them.

I posted some of the past years burning man photos on here before but not sure if they are still around. Probably in the gallery. The metallic dusts look really good especially if you are outdoors in the sun.

[GymFuzz]

Image of professionally done body painting

The SpiderMan getup was very well done.

Jim

[GrayWolf]

We go to the local costume store for outfits to wear to our club's monthly themed dances. They also sell body paint that is intended for bodies - obviously. When we run out of costume ideas it's time for the paint. All I wore for the Valentines dance were red hearts that my wife painted on. Dried in 5-10 minutes, stayed on just fine for the dance and washed right off when it was over. Don't use hobby paint!