A very common question that is sent in to the "discussion list for face painters" at SNAZAROO is "I am a new face painter, can you tell me how to get up to speed so I can earn money?" So this month I want to walk the beginner through the basic steps as well as give him/her a number of internet resources to take them to the next step. We are going to assume you are a real novice. Before I get started, I want to add that if you have access to the internet you can do a search on each topic as there are many brands available at various quality and prices. Do your search and you will find tons of help. We feel the SNAZAROO site has the most comprehensive list of resources so the links are pointing you in that direction. If you have a different preferred brand, then of course search their web site for more information.

 

Step 1: What ever you do in face painting, make sure you use a safe FDA approved product that is made for the face. It does not matter that acrylic paints (or similar products) have been used for years. Make sure your products are compliant as a cosmetic good by the FDA. see http://www.snazaroo.us/faqacrylics.htm and http://www.snazaroo.us/safety.htm Also make sure you don't get blindsided by products others use that are not safe for the skin. As an example the UV/Day-glow colors that use pigments that are not compliant for use on the skin by the FDA. If it does not say FDA approved/compliant then it isn't. Do your research.

 

Step 2: Learn the very basics of face paint application. Go to the "Ten commandments of face painting" that is found at http://www.snazaroo.us/10.htm As a basic rule, use as little water as possible when doing sponge work and as much water as need with brush work to make the paint flow.

 

Step 3: All face paints are not created equal. If you have access to others that use face paints try out all of the top brands. Your research will show you that if you pay just a little more, your products will go on better, be more vibrant and go twice as far. Surprisingly, you can actually face paint with quality products cheaper than using the unsafe acrylics that your friends might use. After you do your research, choose one brand and stick with it. If you mix brands, you void your product liability. See http://www.snazaroo.us/products.htm to start. Search the internet for other brands or ask your friends what they use. Form your own opinion and go with it.

 

Step 4: Don't think you have to swallow the entire elephant in the first bite. You can start face painting with safe products with as little as $20. You do not have to invest in 50 colors and pay $500 just to start. Start out small and build up as your face painting skills grow. A helpful tool when looking at your budget is http://www.snazaroo.us/buy.htm As you start to face paint at least put out a tip bucket to help pay for the cost of your face paints. As you get a few dollars add those other colors or move up to the larger kits. There is no question that you get a better value when you buy the larger containers. It will be the extras like glitter gels, stick on gems and the like that will take your great faces to "WOW"  faces.

 

Step 5: There are probably 50 decent books on face painting. You might be able to find some of them at your library. Some of them have better value than others. Like with every consumer purchase, buyer beware. If you don't have the budget for books then go to the SNAZAROO photo pages at http://www.snazaroo.us/photos.htm where you will find hundreds and hundreds of face painting photo ideas and the best part, they are all free for you to download and print out. The index divides them into categories. Note those with the "X" as the best web pages so you will not be overwhelmed with the quantity of photos. These come from face painters all over the world and you could spend hours looking through all of the pages. When you get brave join in the photo contests (they are free). You might also check to see if there will be any face painting classes in your area at http://www.snazaroo.us/classes.htm or you might want to link up with a face painter. Check out the free listing for face painters that can be found at http://www.snazaroo.us/free.htm Most of them have their e-mail address posted. YOu can learn a lot by watching other face painters.

 

Step 6: As you start to paint, you are going to have lots of questions. A great resource on everything from "painting out in the hot summer weather" to "how do I keep the face painting line organized", can be found on the FAQ (frequently asked question) index at http://www.snazaroo.us/faq.htm This will keep you busy for a while and the time will be well spent.

 

Step 7: If you have e-mail access and a little time on your hand, join the "forum for face painters from all over the world to discuss the art and craft of face painting". Here you will find well over a 1000 people entrenched in this business. You can ask any face painting question to this friendly group, or if you want, you can add your two cents worth. It is free and you will find some really great face painting as well as marketing and business ideas. To join, just go to the sign up box at the bottom of www.snazaroo.us and sign up.

 Step 8: It is time to get some practice. Look at your community calendar. You will find lots of activities where you can set up your small table and do some face painting. Just about any of these places will allow you to at least work for tips. Make sure you talk to the activity chairman. You might have to get creative. For example, look around for the next adopt-a-pet event in your area. Go there and ask for a $2 donation in order to get their face painted like a dog or a cat. Give $1 to the adopt-a-pet program and keep $1 to help pay for your supplies. Do this, at first, until you can paint about 20 different designs and you can paint about 12 to 15 faces per hour. When you can do this, you are ready to go pro.

 

Step 9: You are now starting to build momentum and you are getting some real confidence. It is now time to get serious. Take a look at the "tips list" at http://www.snazaroo.us/tips.htm Here you will find lots of marketing and business ideas. Now is the time to get some business cards made. Start passing them out like candy. Look at every angle from private birthday parties, to company picnics, to store promotions, to painting at the sports stadium in your area. Heck, you are prime time now. Go to the amusement park and tell them you want to paint there. No guts, no glory as they say. Also call around and check out your competition. See what they have to offer and how much they charge. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

Step 10: Once you are booking $2,000 per month in events (and this is easy to do in just one year) it is time to consider making your face painting hobby a business. The real money is in training a small staff and sending out multiples. In other words, why not send twelve people to the event rather than one. Bill Gates did not become the richest man in the world because he build one computer for his own personal use. The sky is the limit. All you need to do is ask yourself the question... "how can I make myself and my business a better value, bolder and still have some fun?" Face painting can be very rewarding with lots of perks. After all, when you get to the pro level you get paid as much as the lawyer, doctor and plumber per hour and when you lift up the mirror to the child you get to see that massive smile. You also get to hear over and over, "that is the best face painting I have ever seen". It will be your little secret that you happen to know there are many out there with better skills. The only one you have to convince is the child with the mirror staring them in the face. Nothing is more rewarding than the smile of the child (as you slip the $5 in your pocket). Keep up the good work!

 

Gary Cole

SNAZAROO USA Inc.

http://www.snazaroo.us
garycole@mindspring.com