Body Painting - A Look at the Top 6 Festivals in the World

Body Painting - A Look at the Top 6 Festivals in the World

Dragonmen, Alien Mermaids, Fantastic Fire Dancers, Barebacked Santas, and even a Painted Labrador Retriever; you can see all these and more at the fantastic body painting festivals now occurring annually around the world.

There is a wide range of body painting festivals today. All include painted bodies, of course, and all include some kind of competitions; however there is a quite a range of skills and size among the different festivals, and some are more 'family friendly' than others.

Here's a quick look at the top 6 body painting festivals, where they happen and what you can expect to find there:

1. The World Body Painting Festival

This festival includes some of the most stunning professional body painting to be seen in the world today. A 3 day program includes dance, music and fireworks displays, as well as many competitions. Many of the body paintings here should fall under the category of 'fine art' with some of the dancers body paintings simply defying belief. A very large event and certainly worth traveling for.

Where: Seeboden, Austria
Duration: Three days
Events Include: World Championships in 3 categories; night contest for UV effects, Special Effects awards; classes and workshops; BodyCircus (fantasy ball); music and dance performances; an international photo contest; and a huge fireworks show.
Artistic Range: One of the very best, with stunning range of styles and surprising themes.
Family Friendliness: Not clear, but it is in Europe, so not likely to ban under 18. However this body painting festival does not advertise itself as family friendly, as some others do.

2. The Canadian Body Painting Festival

This is another body painting festival that showcases simply stunning artists and finished work. The quality of the art here is similar to that seen at the World Body Painting Festival. The Festival is themed from year to year, with the recent theme being "It's A Jungle Out There." Also includes the Canadian Body Painting Championships.

Where: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Duration: Two days
Events Include: Competitions in overall body painting, brush and sponge, and airbrush; includes the Canadian body painting Championships
Artistic Range: Most stunning, and one of the best overall. Very life-like and fantastic double-take images.
Family Friendliness: Not stated - would be worth making a call first.

3. The International Body Painting Festival

This festival takes place in Mainz, a city with over two thousand years of history. It is located on the river Rhine, has strong Celtic roots and may have been founded by the Romans as early as 13 BC. One can imagine that body painting has a long history here, if you remember the Celtic tradition of painting their bodies before going into battle. Once again, the artistic ability and range is stunning at this International festival.

Where: Mainz, Germany
Duration: Weekend festival
Events Include: Competitions include special effects and face painting
Artistic Range: Very stunning; high artistic skill.
Family Friendliness: Not known but again, it's in Europe. I would call ahead.

4. Welsh International Body Painting Festival
This festival is a bit younger and less established than the top 3, although it has some impressive artwork considering that they are just getting started. Also the atmosphere is more 'fun' orinted, less 'high art' and family participation is strongly encouraged. A good festival to consider if you want to make it a family outing and see some amazing work in the process.
Where: Wales (of course)
Duration: Two days
Events Include: Hands on demonstrations; horror specialists and flower specialists
Artistic Range: High, and impressive for a smaller sized event; not as subtle or creative as some of the others
Family Friendliness: Very good; in fact they encourage families and camping, with an 'all ages' atmosphere and events designed for younger participants

5. The UK Body Painting Festival

This festival showcases some of the least impressive - although most amusing - body painting, although it should be said that it is not presented as a stuffy 'high art' affair, but more a circus or county fair type outing for the entire family. Fun, relaxed and un-selfconscious atmosphere allows for some of the more surprising and purely 'fun' body art to be seen. If you're not a supermodel and would like to get your body painted without worrying about snide comments, this might be a good option for you.

Where: Ashford, UK
Duration: Two days
Events Include: Family-oriented face painting, body painting competitions for professional and amateur categories, craft fair, children's activities, workshops, and a 'bouncy castle.'
Artistic Range: Fair; more of a family outing with a lots to do than a showcase of spectacular art.
Family Friendliness: Very high; advertised as family event. Lowest cost of all the body painting festivals - comparable to a movie ticket.

6. The US Bodypainting Festival (or New Mexico Body Painting Festival/US Bodypainting Competition)

There is definitely some impressive body painting to be seen at this festival, and a lot of creative innovation with hair and unusual designs that you won't see anywhere else. One example that springs to mind is a model dressed in racecar theme with red, white and blue hair sprayed out behind her as though flying in the wind. Also, if you're in the US this festival obviously doesn't require a plane ticket. However this is not a family outing, as it explicitly bans anyone under 18.

Where: Alberquerque, New Mexico
Duration: Three days
Events Include: Demonstrations, workshops, competitions in body painting
Artistic Range: Good to poor - there is a mix of very impressive artistic works and things better left unpainted here; although it's all 'interesting.'
Family Friendliness: Not at all. We are in the US remember; no one under 18 allowed.

So that's my brief overview of the top 6 body painting festivals in the world. Would you like to take a vacation this year that's not your ordinary 'hum-drum' trip? Pick one of these festivals and you can pack light (you know, you could just bring a can of paint and a paintbrush for evening wear)!

Body Painting Art - Nude Female and Male Body Painting

Body Painting Art - Nude Female and Male Body Painting

In fact we are fond of painting our bodies since prehistoric times. In past we were used to paint our bodies with materials like natural dyes, paints and pigments. In some cases we used ash, and clay, too.

The markings that the people make on their bodies are thought to have magical powers with which one could ward off evil spirits or the tribal enemies. Such was the thinking in past. The painting of bodies was also coined with celebrating of auspicious occasions like New Year or a dance party. Same practice can still observed in the indigenous populations of the countries like New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and certain parts of Africa.

In India the women and men are fond of using Henna. It is a colour extracted from a plant of Henna; it is also known as Mehandi. This type of body painting with Henna has been a fashion in India and the Middle East since many years. People paint their hands and legs and other parts of body with Henna during auspicious ceremonies like weddings. The use of henna or Mehandi has become popular in the Western countries, too, since last two decades.

The art of body painting is not a new phenomenon in the countries of South America, too. People here have been using indigenous materials to paint their body and body parts. They use wet charcoal and other materials available in the local surrounding. In some parts of America, a material known as Huito is used to paint the bodies and faces. Huito is a black dye, and it takes weeks to fade away.

Face Painting - An Introduction

Face Painting - An Introduction

Body painting is a common form of application of colours, drawing, and painting of pictures on human body. It is an art in which, the human body is used as a medium for paint. There are different reasons for body painting, and a type of body painting is face painting. Face painting is the artistic application of colours, drawings, and paints on face. Face painters and artist use paints to decorate their faces, to show their feelings, or desires through painting on their faces. This is done using the water based cosmetic paints, and it has become a very common activity for different parties, celebrations, and events.

For many centuries, people have used face painting for different purposes including military, religious, and hunting. The activity and art became popular when in 1960s many women started painting flags, or symbols on their cheeks for promoting peace during different anti-war protests. We can say that the use of make up on face for decorating and adding colour is also closely related to this art.

Face print is also used in different profession. For example at a circus, it is a very important part of the costume. The clowns and actors paint their faces smiley, or like different characters to entertain. The activity of using face-painting for entertainment is very common in Europe, and it can be seen at different fairs, and open-air markets for attracting children, and adolescents.

Face picture is taken as a part of an outfit when it comes to parties, and celebrations. It is a very common activity at a festival or a children party where the children get their faces painted like their favourite characters. The art makes them feel like a real cat, fairy, prate, clown, dog, or any other character that they want to be.

Popular face-painting ideas, and designs among the youngsters that they use for birthday parties, Halloween, or themed parties are tiger, clown, super hero like spider-man, Dalmatian dog, cat, fairy pirate, etc. There are different types of face picture designs, and ideas, and all depends on their use. The main purpose is however to attract, and get attention of the people.

It is used as a cosmetic for dramas, acts, plays, etc especially if someone is wearing an animal costume. The painting on the face makes the person look like the actual animal, and makes him/her feel like a real animal character. Sometimes a part of the face is painted, and sometimes the complete face, neck, and other parts of the body are painted.

The use of face work of art can be seen in different sports events when people paint the flags of their favourite countries, or symbols showing the team they are supporting. Painting a country flag shows the patriotism of the person while sometimes it shows the loyalty, and support of the person towards a specific team. Soldiers also use face painting, camouflage technique is a common example. Other professions that use face picture are wrestling and circus where they draw different symbols to convey different messages.

Adult Body Painting - What's the Fuss About?

Adult Body Painting - What's the Fuss About?

Did you ever want to be a cowboy? Maybe a rain forests? What about trading your skin in to become a seductive tigress ready to pounce on fresh meat? Well, whatever your adult fantasy may be, adult body painting may be the temporary and fun solution.

Though this art form has been around for centuries, many people haven't tuned-in to this creative outlet. Some people claim that body painting is actually the oldest art form (Considering that people were painting their bodies pre-anno domini. Just think of early century Egyptians). And, with adult body painting companies and artist all around the globe, one would probably have little difficulty finding an artist close by.

Adult body painting is an art that uniquely transforms your everyday skin into a beautiful picturesque scene or life form. How? Glad you asked. By using safe, FDA approved make-up, oils, and other various paints and applying it directly to your skin. Any part of your skin. Oh yes, that's right, any part. Body painting artists are extremely professional and willing to cover any part of your body that you so desire, from head to toe. Or, if you can't make your mind up on which body part to paint, you can have your entire body brushed with a plethora of colors that completely disguises the real you underneath. Unless, of course, you really are Smokey the Bear. Which can be done. By method of airbrushing, painting, and drawing, your body can soon be entirely transformed into your fantasy.

Depending on the piece of art you choose, the process can take from a few minutes to a few hours. The Hanging Gardens weren't grown in fifteen minutes and either is the mastery of adult body painting when given the task of turning you into a fire-breathing dragon. Which can also be done.

However, don't misunderstand. Not all body painting means having to get nude. In fact, any small portion of your skin can be painted into a beautiful piece. For instance, many people who want to see what a tattoo would look like on the arm, hand, foot, shoulder, neck, or elsewhere often choose to have their body painted first to make sure they will like it for the rest of their lives. Others just appreciate the art and have paintings done on parts of their body for display or to be kept private. Whatever the case may be, there really is not a limit to what a person can have painted on their body. A butterfly or the Sears Tower, or anything in between.

Body painting typically will last for a couple of days and can easily be removed. Because body painting is not permanent, you have the option to become many things over the course of time. The only thing that should be holding you up from getting painted is choosing what you want to be next!

Ten Rules of Body Face Painting

Ten Rules of Body Face Painting

Face painting is an art that is both fun and easy to do. Your canvass here is the human face. This is only temporary and lasts for a few hours at most. Traditional body painting started in the early 12th century. In some cultures, this was done for religious rituals; in others, to celebrate ancient ceremonies. Today, it is done more for fun.

If you are new to the art of body face painting, here are some rules you should keep in mind.

1. Use paints made specifically for face painting. Make sure that these paints are FDA approved and are water based. As you will be painting on human skin, using paint not designed for such, may result in severe allergic reactions.
2. Keep all your materials within easy reach. When you start painting, you don't want to go running around searching for your materials. Prepare everything you need before starting.
3. When applying paint to a large surface, use a sponge. The trick here is to use only a minimal amount of water. Otherwise, you would be applying the paint too thinly. If you want a thicker base, apply three to four coats. Avoid layering the paint on too thickly at one time as this will result in cracking later on.
4. In putting on paint with the use of a brush, the same principle in water color applies. The more water you use, the easier it will be to spread the paint around.
5. To create a three-dimensional appearance, start from the palest shade going on the darkest.
6. To avoid smearing your work, use different sponges and brushes for each color.
7. Use tools of superior quality. Since you will be painting on a human face only the best tools should be utilized. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
8. Keep your model comfortable. In face painting, your canvass isn't just a blank sheath of cloth. It is another human being. You have to ensure that your model is positioned comfortably.
9. Practice makes perfect. Face painting is a skill that can be developed. The more you paint, the better you become.
10. Be happy! If you exude happiness in your work it will show and the results will be exceptional.