For a child, face painting has to be one of the coolest activities ever known to man.
Paint is like a forbidden substance to them, igniting a curiosity that won't be satiated easily be my merely watching a painter do his job.
So when a face painting opportunity comes by, a kid can hardly resist.
Unfortunately, they also think that doing it is easy - and fast.
True, it is fun to do, which makes it easy on the painter.
But that is because they have the liberty of time to make mini-masterpieces of their own.
But if you're painting kids' faces, then you run into the dilemma of keeping them still, most especially the younger ones who are known to have a very, very short attention span.
This is where stencils and stamps come in, especially if you're into cheek painting.
These would make your work faster and easier.
The kids would be happier, and you and the children's parents would be relieved that the session is finally over with nary a clamor.
You can buy these at your local art stores.
But if you want, you can make your own.
Stamps are easy and really fun to make.
I make them with both my children hovering over me.
I usually get a piece of potato, carrot or any sturdy vegetable I can carve in (one that I have plenty of).
Using a small craft knife, I try to carve a picture of a simple object (say, a heart or a star, for instance).
I paint on the carved part, and I try it on some paper first.
If it goes to my liking, then I can stamp it on my kid's face.
If you're having a little trouble carving as is, then you can get a pencil and draw on the vegetable.
After that, you'll be able to carve it instantly.
(I do this for some designs that need a little proportion, say, a Christmas tree.
) In just seconds, we have done face stamping - much to the delight of my kids.
(My eldest - 9 years old - is already trying her hand at carving because of this technique.
) The good thing about this is that you will get the attention of the kids - and you can teach them about veggies too when they ask, "what's that?" It's also economical since you can already get it from your kitchen and you don't have to buy them.
The only downside to vegetable stamps is that you can only use them for 1 day or 1 session and you have to make them again when you need it.
It's fun though; you should give this a try.
Stencils are great painting helpers because they can be washed and stored away for future use.
It can also be store-bought, just like stamps.
And you can make them as well.
All you need would be an idea for the design (or a picture) and the following: - Acetate, polyester or plastic - A small craft knife.
- Pencils.
Draw the outline of the design on the acetate or the material you will be using to make the stencil.
Tape the design to it so that it doesn't move.
Cut the outline of your design with a craft knife.
Remember to only cut the ones that need color; leave the rest intact.
Make sure that you don't leave sharp edges which can be done by inexact cutting and pulling at the material when it isn't completely cut out yet.
Stamps and stencils are fun to make but they're much more satisfying when you see them on your kid's face as a guide for the painting.
But the best part is seeing the kids trying face painting on each other.
Stencils and stamps can introduce them to a different kind of art, and eventually they would learn to love other types of art and claim it as their own.