Living on the verge of art, body paint has always been a provocative trait characteristic of either indigenous cultures or the fashion world. As time goes by, body painting is becoming increasingly popular and used in various commercial and mainstream activities. The art of body painting has diversified so much, as to have its own sub-categories, ranging over traditional, fashion, fine art body painting and even graffiti on body. The shared trait of all body painting styles is that they use body as canvas, emphasizing the transforming potential of the human skin.
Body painting has been around for centuries, typical for various cultures of Pacific islands, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. The Indian Mehndi is the traditional hand painting technique with henna, popular even in the western cultures today.
Since the 1960s, body painting has had a revival in the West, but it is still leading a battle to be recognized as a high-brow art form. Disputed by many art officials, body painting gathered an army of followers and aficionados.
Although usually associated with nudity, body painting does not necessarily imply the fully naked body, but can be executed on parts of skin, while the model is partially dressed.
The best places to enjoy body painting live are definitely body painting festivals. They are organized annually worldwide, bringing together star body painters and artists and the less known enthusiasts alike. The biggest body painting festival occurs in Austria, in the town of Portschach. Called the World Bodypainting Festival, it represents the largest event of the sort attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world. These events are not limited to any region and there are festivals in the Americas, Europe and Asia dedicated to body painting.
How to start body painting
While we admire the fantastic talent of some of the body painters, it’s no secret that anybody can get involved. If you prefer to create than to be painted on, here is how you can start applying body paint onto a model.
First of all, arm yourself with patience, as body painting takes a long time to complete. Six hours is considered fast for a full body work.
The basic equipment you will need are brushes, make-up sponges, regular sponges, rubbing alcohol, palettes, bottle of water and, of course – body paint. Body paint is sold in specialized stores and it is non-toxic and safe for the body.
Before starting any type of work on the body, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to paint. Perhaps it will be useful to create a few sketches as well.
Painting directly on a body may be a little intimidating at first, but if the atmosphere is good, both the artist and the model will get used to it quickly. The pressure onto the skin should be steady, but not too light, as this can tickle and make the model move. Make sure you advise your model on how to remove the paint afterwards. Check the paint for instructions, but one of the best ways to clean it in general is using the dishwashing liquid.
Finally, make sure all of your equipment, your studio and your hands are clean and sanitary, as you are about to touch somebody’s skin. Use floor covering and avoid any type of unsafe paint.
If you are in need of inspiration, here is a selection of 55+ beautiful body painting images, which may entice you to create something of the sort.
Captivating Human Body Painting By Chadwick And Spector
Landscape Body Art by Natalie Fletcher
For My Boys – Jenny Marquis bump belly paint
Hand body painting by Ray Massey
Body Art Snake
The resemblance to the real snake is astounding, but these are only human arms.
Frog
One of the most famous body painters today, Johannes Stötter, created this tropical frog by painting on five people.
Autumn
Another masterpiece by Johannes Stötter.
Urban graffiti on body
An illusion is common in body painting, as seen in this clever setup at a green market.
Graffiti on girls – a whole different world of body painting.
World Bodypainting Festival 2013
A work from the festival, a double painting and a true work of art.
Girl – Flower
Another photo from the last year’s World Bodypainting Festival, depicting a flower concept on a model.
Photo by Federico Rossi
A wonderful example of expressive body painting.
1Body painting show
Body painting can be used in theatre, or create its own show.
Halloween
Some of the best Halloween costumes are made with body paint.
Starry night body painting
Fine art on body – a clever turn on body painting and Van Gogh.
Camouflage body painting
Body painting can be a wonderful play with camouflage, bringing series of great photographs.
Henna hand painting
The traditional technique in India and some Middle Eastern countries, usually painted on brides.
Tribal body painting in Africa
Children of the Ethiopian tribe of Surma, showing off their traditional body paint.
Incredible Make-up
Make-up is the form of body paint, and it can create incredible forms and effects on a face or a body.
Lotus by Trina Merry
Beautiful floral composition by an artist Trina Merry.
Body painting – hand
Sometimes the body paint can be applied so perfectly that in combination with an ideally taken photo, it is hard to distinguish the real from the fake.
Body_Art_Corset_by_1lonelyangel
Body painting – Sagittarius
Body painting by Tim Engle
Body painting by JZino
Body painting by john vargas
Body painting by Gesine Marwedel
Body painting by Emma Hack
Body painting by Craig Tracy
Body painting by Gesine Marwedel
Body painting by Chery Lipstreu
Body painting by Alexa Meade
Body painting by Craig Tracy
Venom body paint by Georgette
Utopia body painting by Craig Tracy
Typography-Body-Paint- Anastasia Durasova
Seahorse-Bodypaint-by-Gesine-Marwedel
Realistic baby
Puzzling body art
Million ming vase by Emma Hack
Metamorphisis by trina merry
Lily
Innovation Body Painting1
Human-Motorcycle-Body-Painting-by Trina Merry
Hand painting by Guido Daniele
Graffiti-illusion-WISER-Ironlak
Flamingo-Body-Paint-Gesine-Marwedel
Emmahack
Dusk-Body_painting_picture_by_mocorock
desire-Body-Painting-Craig-Tracy
Denst-Desapego-body-art
Butterfly_Dress_Body_Painting_by_cats_creations
Body_Paintings__Raven__by_Aycelcus
Body_painting_art_by_zid123
the best body paints i have seen