Face Painting Tutorial

This is a child's face that I sculpted, and it ended up being proportionally much bigger than the body, so I thought I would make a little tutorial out of it. (I also got something dark up her right nostril while trying to clean it.)

First I use a pointed cotton swab and dip it in acetone (pure acetone, not nail polish remover) to smooth out any unintentional lines, tiny hairs baked into the clay, dirt smudges, etc. Important note: DO NOT use acetone over any finished wood surface!

Next I mix up some Genesis thinning medium with a tiny (and I mean TINY) amount of Pyrrole Red 02 for a nice opaque blushing color. For application, I use a standard wedge-shaped make-up sponge.

As you can see, I have done one cheek and lightly blushed the forehead. I use a light dabbing motion. One end of the sponge I use for application, the other I use for clean up or spreading the blush further.

After I finish blushing, I take a bit of the blushing color and add a brownish color (in this case Burnt Sienna) and paint on a very light coating of color on her lips.

I use a little bit of the lip color on the eyelids for a nice contrast. I dab off the excess with another pointed cotton swab.

Here is how she looks before going into the oven to set the paint.

I let her cool down, then I add some Genesis glazing medium to the lip color and paint it over the previous coat on her lips.

Next I take a clean make-up wedge to apply some Genesis Matte Varnish. It is important to note that it will still look a little shiny until it has been set in the oven. If you put too much on, when it comes out of the oven the face will have the look and texture of rough sandpaper. (Wanna know how I found this out? LOL!)

Here I am taking a regular pin to remove some of the excess paint from between the lips. I want to make sure there is a distinction between the top and bottom lip.

Here she is after her final baking to set the paint on her face. I did touch up her cheeks slightly as well, but didn't put more Matte Varnish on them to keep that young "dewey" look to her.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! :)