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Body Painting is both Challenging and Amazing
Painting the human body is a much more difficult challenge to accomplish as compared to other art forms, especially ones using a flat canvass. In fact, body painting presents many issues.
One of the biggest hardships for a body painter is not to have the finished pieces judged as pornographic artwork. This is far from the case with the body painting that I regularly do, however, I do consider it an erotic form of art.
Another trouble is that the human body is constantly moving, whether in action or even through basic breathing. A moving canvass can cause for a greater margin of error in accurate design. Another difficulty is that it is three dimensional, and a body painter must consider all of the curves. Bigger curves and features, especially with women, make for a much harder final piece of art. In capturing a photo of a woman with large, painted breasts, angles can cover a great deal of the artwork on one side for instance. Finally, a body painter must consider the subject's comfort level in sitting still for such long periods of time, for it is not easy. This mixed with the time changing paint in an airbrush along with cleaning it, wearing masks, and even room temperature can make a subject uneasy and tired quickly.
On a regular basis, as a professional body painter, I am bombarded with questions about my hobby that may shed light on other issues I have to face.
The most common and frequently questions asked of me are the following:
How long does the body paint last? Body paint is not designed for long time wear and is not permanent. Typically, it can last anywhere from two to 8 hours, depending on the environment and the wear and tear on it. Rubbing and sweating definitely can affect its lasting along with what color is being used. Red and black do very well on skin, but I find blues aren't as cooperative. To try it out at home, one can use simple acrylic paints, however, they are the fastest to peel and crack off, so be quick!
Temporary tattoo paint can be used as a semi-permanent media for body painting, although it is not recommended to cover to large an area or leave it on for too long. The epidermis needs to be able to breathe and sweat. Being an alcohol based paint, it cannot be removed with water and can last up to 7 days. It needs isopropyl rubbing alcohol to remove it.
How easily does it remove from the skin? Body paint needs only a wash cloth, soap and a good shower. Perhaps even a partner to help with the hard to reach places. Temporary tattoo paint is not too hard to get off as well, since it is easily removed with rubbing alcohol.
How long does it take to body paint a person? Depending on how much of the body is being covered and the complexity of the design, some body paints can take up to 48 hours to complete. These subjects are carefully watched when sleeping so as not to move thereby not disturbing, rubbing or marking the paint work already on the skin! On average, however, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours.
What has been your most fulfilling body paint? In November of 2007, I was honored to be chosen to body paint 4 women with breast cancer at the National Conference for Young Women Living With Breast Cancer in Toronto, Canada. Some of the women had mastectomies and some had reconstructive surgery. All of them positively radiated when I finished each of their body paints. It was clear that they felt beautiful about themselves.
In my experience, body painting is a pleasurable, self-esteem boosting and erotic experience, for both the subject, as well as the painter. Since it is not a permanent form of body art, it is an excellent alternative to tattooing. I highly recommend trying it, just to see what kind of incredible designs can look like on you.
