Common Q & A
Answers by Jeshka
Worried about any possible allergies? Do you think that bodypaint is great but not sure how to apply it to your life? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their honset answers.
Every inquiry is always welcome to a complimentary consultation meeting with Jeshka.
In person, phone, or video chat.
Even more general bodypaint info in this Article
01
What do you mean by "BodyArt"?
Body painting, or sometimes bodypainting, is a form of body art. Body art is art made on, with, or consisting of, the human body:
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body painting, tattoos, body art performances, body piercings, scarification, branding, scalpelling, full body tattoo.
Since the beginning of humankind, body art has been a part of our history. Unlike tattoo and other forms of body art, body painting is temporary, painted onto the human skin, and lasts for one day, or at most (in the case of Mehndi, "henna" or temp tattoo, glitter tattoos) a couple of weeks. Body painting that is limited to the face is known as face painting.
Body art is also a sub-category of performance art.
02
What is the paint made of?
Short answer: Technically, it's make-up. Most paints are water-based cremes. Think of it like a children's face-painting, except for adults it can go on the whole body. Allergic reactions are very rare when using the right products in the correct way.
All of the materials that a professional face and bodypainter would use are cosmetology-grade products that were made to go on skin. This is the main reason that services can get expensive. Especially since a bodypainting usually needs several whole layers of make-up to complete. But a face-painter can't just go to the local make-up store to get what they need. They have to special-order the paints from international suppliers and retailers. (Most bodypaint products are made in the UK.) The materials are designed to be very resistant to rubbing and smearing *when applied properly.* Some examples of common brands are Wolfe, Kryolan, Cameleon, and Aquacolor.
If you are considering buying some face-paints yourself... Be careful! Ask a professional for product suggestions! There are products out there that are marked to be okay for your skin but maybe aren't actually the most safe or effective for you. There are certain ingredients that the FDA approves that can stain skin or irriate.
Story: I once met a young man at PRIDE SF who told me that he spent $300 on the paint that he used on himself from the waist up, except that the paint was difficult to work with. It took him a long time to paint because of a lack of knowledge and experience. And after only a few hours the paint was cracking and rubbing off. He realized that for the SAME PRICE he could have had a professional bodypainter do an amazing paint job that would stay on all day.
Also at Jadeye Beauty all brushes, paints, etc. get cleaned and even disinfected in-between each use.
03
How much-ish does a typical paint session cost?
It depends on how much paint is used, type of paint, and complexity of design. Price of a full bodypaint commission can range between $300-550.
For the more simple requests, or certain budget circumstances, the price can go down.
If you're wondering how much our services might be for your particular project: It can be easier to think of it in terms of the standard hourly rate for full-time facepainters and make-up artists in the USA. The professional standard rate starts at $125 an hour. Not including travel, and special ordering or replacing materials.
04
How much time would someone expect for a painting to be completed?
Again, it depends. For a simple project such as a fancy Halloween face-painting or one solid color on the whole body, it only takes an hour to apply the make-up. For the more complex paintings, it can take up to 6 hours to finish one persons design. The more time, the better the result. In most cases, a skilled bodypainter can compete almost any design within 2-5 hours.
05
How hard is it to remove the paint?
It's actually very easy! You just hop into the shower.
I like to think that the paints are like watercolors. Watercolor paints are hard when you get it out of the box. Then you use water to activate the paint and use it. Then it dries, and the paint won't go anywhere. Bodypaints are the same, except they are more opaque and creamy. So re-activating the paint with water breaks it down and thins it to the point that it drips off the skin. This is why a lot of sweat can make paint come off.
Let say the client needed to have make-up that would be resistant to sweat and moisture. There are methods that a bodypainter can use to make the paints more water resistant, and there are also paints that are made to be water-resistant. In which case to remove may take more than just some soap and water. For example oil-based bodywash and make-up remover breaks down alcohol-based bodypaint products. Also simply using baby oil as bodywash in the shower is a trade secret of professional bodypaint models!
06
So who hires body painters?
Publication and advertising agencies commission for photo shoots, and movie studios often hire bodypainters to transform actors into, say, neon-green aliens. Body painters may also demonstrate their art at parties or nightclubs, and of course, do private sessions for customers.
From creating a photographic image that can hang on the wall or be printed in a magazine, to Live bodypaint at galas and private events. The extreme make-up industry is growing!