Face Painting Tutorial, Part 2 - Brushes for Face Painting

By DoItYourself.com Staff

Intro and Supplies - Brushes for Face Painting - Sponges, Glitter & Other Tools

Take a trip to the cosmetic section of your local drug store, or to the art supply store and you'll be mesmerized by the number, and different types, of brushes on the market. Art brushes work well with face paint, but cosmetic brushes were created for use with powders and different make-up bases. Your toolbox will probably have a combination of art and cosmetic brushes.

There are a variety of brushes out there that are suitable for face painting, but for best results use a sable or nylon brush. A basic fanned brush, fine line brush, larger blush brush for applying powder, a few Q-tips and a glitter brush are all you need to get started. Get the most use out of your brushes by using them in different ways. For example, a fan brush is wide enough that it can apply color in large areas of the face, but if you turn the fan brush on its side, it is also thin enough to make fine lines.

Caring for Brushes
When setting up your workstation before a party or event, place brushes in the crease of a moist towel, as you always want to use a damp brush when painting. Dry brushes will massacre your designs. Unlike sponges, brushes can be reused since the base make-up, or barrier cream, acts as a shield between the brushes and the skin. Always disinfect brushes after each event.

Different Strokes
Brushes have many uses, from applying base paint in small areas, to creating lines and painting designs. Since brushes come with different names, depending on manufacturer, country of origin and whether you choose make-up or painting brushes, a picture is given for your reference in the chart below.

BRUSH	NAME	EFFECT
	All-purpose/character	Their sizes make them useable in many areas.
	Angler	Good for applying color for rounded shapes such as eye area and cheeks.
	Brow	Can be used instead of flat liner for thinner lines.
	Camouflage	For use with cover ups.
	Crease	Soft lines around eye area.
	Crew cut	Blending brush.
	Dye brush	Can be used to create scratches and bruises in paint.
	Eyeliner/script liner/Capillary	Creates very thin lines.
	Fan brush	Can be used to apply color in large areas and for blending.
	Firm/soft shadow	For applying powder around the eye area.
	Flat brush/powder dome/small powder brush	Large brush used for powder.
	Flat liner	Creating sharp lines.
	Little stomper	Applying powder around the nose and eye areas.

Intro and Supplies - Brushes for Face Painting - Sponges, Glitter & Other Tools

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