Body art has been common since ancient times, although, of course, then it was called and looked completely different. Naturally, for body art in its narrow sense - body painting - then other materials were used than now. Body paint was charcoal, ocher and other coloring natural substances. What modern masters paint the bodies of their customers and where body art is in demand, you can learn from this article.
The specifics of paints for body art
Most often, special professional paints are used for drawings on the body. If the situation does not require this and the person first applies the drawing at home, then he can acquire an amateur option for this. The main difference is, as always, in the quality of the material - there is less likelihood that professional paints for body art can poorly lie on the skin, curl up or quickly wear off.
Such paints are water-based in combination with glycerin, natural dyes and other components designed to prevent the paint from spreading over the skin. Due to this composition, the paint can be applied in several layers. Face painting is often used in combination with other materials, such as rhinestones or glitters, to enhance the effect of the image.
Make sure
The main thing is that body paints do not cause allergies and do not harm the skin, so before buying it is important to make sure that the products have passed dermatological control. However, unfortunately, there is always the possibility of personal intolerance to the paint, before using it is worth checking its effect on a small area of the skin.
Gouache and acrylic?
Trying to find out on the Internet what body paint is, you run the risk of discovering what modern artists use for body art, or rather body painting, gouache and acrylic paints. Of course, this is not so. Now there are a large number of special paints for face painting. Considering that face painting is often painted on children, it is strange to suggest that these materials are not the safest to use for their skin.
It is because of hypoallergenicity that it is recommended to use special body paints, body art made with acrylic or gouache can cause a severe allergy attack. In addition, paints designed to work with other surfaces, but not with human skin, will not adhere well to it. Gouache can be easily washed off the skin, but the paint of some companies leaves bright spots after itself, but getting rid of acrylic is very difficult, in addition, it does not allow the skin to breathe normally.
Types of paints
There are two main types of materials for body painting. These are paints on:
- Greasy base (commonly used for theater makeup).
- Water-based (it is with this paint that children are painted at city holidays).
In addition, recently began to produce body paints on a silicone basis and even on the basis of chocolate (this variety is quite edible). Materials can be sold as creams, liquids or compressed forms, and for the convenience of the artist, as felt-tip pens, glitters or crayons. Accordingly, depending on the form of release, such paints can be applied with both fingers and special brushes and sponges.
In addition, henna is also the paint, which the masters use for the mehendi so popular now - the Indian version of body painting. Now you can find henna from almost black to light brown. True, it can not be called easily washed off paint for the body. It can last up to three weeks, or even longer, depending on color saturation and consistency.
Popular paint brands
Among non-professionals, “Aquacolor” paints (producing country - Russia) and “Lira” (produced in Germany) are popular. The former can be easily washed off with soap and water, as they are made from natural materials. The second are issued in the form of crayons and are also safe to use, so these brands are most often used for working with children.
Another of the most famous brands of face painting paints is Kryolan. This German company produces paint in various forms - from felt-tip pens to cream. She also presents a huge selection of colors, you can find fluorescent, shiny or matte paint of almost any shade.
What is body painting for?
Traditionally, body painting was used by residents of eastern countries, and only from the 60s of the XX century it began to be used in the West. Now painted people can be found at a variety of events: from football matches to theme parties. Artists often use body paint in their promotions and performances.
In our country, body art is most often used in two situations: at holidays, where masters most often paint children's faces, and at photo shoots, where the image requires a certain drawing on the face. At discos, they often use body paints that glow in the dark, this creates a very attractive image. In addition, painted faces and bodies can be seen at theme festivals.
And, of course, there are festivals and body art contests, some of which have international status. Their specificity is such that most often there are naked girls, whose bodies are completely covered with drawings.
In general, body painting is perhaps the safest type of body art (it includes piercing, scarification, and tattooing, and many other more or less common practices), so it’s reasonable to dwell on it in your body experiments.