25 Telltale Signs of a Beginner Face Painter

We all have to start somewhere, but it’s our choice if we stay there. Here, pulled from my first summer of face painting, are 25 problematic practices that quickly mark a face paint as beginner's work--and, if avoided, can just as quickly move your painting to the next level!

[@amberscatina2715]

I think it's really important for us all to remind ourselves that even if we're not happy with our design the kids usually are more than happy with the experience.

[@ReginaMartinsings]

Exactly

[@ReginaMartinsings]

Unless it’s a county fair and I’m paying for each of the kids to get painted, if the kids are having a blast and love how their faces come out… that’s all the matters

[@carinarodriguez7148]

YES!!!❤

[@cathystreet7]

What a great video! I am a beginner face painter and I can definitely relate to nearly all these mistakes... But now I know what areas to focus on to improve in. It's also so reassuring to see where you started from and how far you've come - it gives me encouragement that with practice and persistence I will also elevate my face painting game!

[@fairyfox]

Yay Cathy! Remember- watch it again and see the smiles on all the kids faces! Growing and elevating our game is great, but even as beginner as these designs are- they still spread a lot of happiness. Don't underestimate how wonderful your gifts are right now to the precious faces you get to paint.

[@cathystreet7]

@@fairyfox Thanks Laura! I'm currently in lockdown in NZ with a 4 year old who I can never convince to have her face painted so I'm trying to get as much practice (mostly on myself) in the meantime, although I don't wriggle as much as kids do...! I love watching your videos for inspiration and techniques to practice!

[@danessaturner3786]

how honest to see your starting pics. I have a few "beginner" pics of my own. I keep them just to remind me of how far I've come. thank you. by the way, you look wonderful, love the curls

[@fairyfox]

Glad to hear it! When we hide from our past, it is really hard to feel proud of our present. Thanks! I love playing with change- in everything- hair is no different.

[@alexchambers2733]

This is so encouraging! Thank you for showing us your beginner work. I feel like I can totally get to where you are now seeing your journey.

[@fairyfox]

Good Alex! I am so glad you feel like you can get there- Just make sure it is your journey. The very best painter you can be is you!!!

[@allijo514]

I'm loving this! Helpful, not condescending, comfortable sharing your "oopsies". I realized how many i have myself, biggest being spongephobia!! I've face painted off and on since i was a teenager, mostly doing cheeks to save time at church fairs and such. I CAN paint and blend, i just get intimidated by messing up little faces. So if i can't do brush, I won't do at all. Now I think using a sponge is going to open a whole new realm of possibilities! I can get that soft blended look on a bigger area. Thank you for this awesome vid!!!

[@kaitlynnelizabeth2116]

This video is SO helpful! I'm planning on starting face painting this summer, and while I'm very good at painting and makeup, mixing the two can turn me into a perfectionist and take a million years.

[@fairyfox]

Good luck!! You’ll love it.

[@eanleeparkin7004]

I am not a painter but willing to learn.

[@ollerlappen6535]

It‘s sooo good to see that you are a human too. 🙏 The other artists never show there mistakes. And i also thinking: are the humans or perfect paint machines?! Is it just me to make such mistakes? And the answer is : No 🤗 THANK YOU SOOO MUCH just for you. Hugs from Germany 🥰

[@fairyfox]

Oller! You are so very welcome. It is really hard to see someone clearly when they are one rung above you on a ladder- all you see are shoes. It is easy to imagine that they are larger than life. I spent some time with an idol of mine yesterday and she used the phrase "I am a half hour ahead of you" What a kind thought. Yes! We are all humans.

[@Dijas.painting16]

@@fairyfox you are the best, this is I can say

[@miriamgreen3973]

This was VERY helpful! I had a gig last night. I kept this in mind.

[@JupiMeow]

Excellent tips here for both beginners and advanced people! I love your examples and your commitment to quality!

[@happyfacepaints3799]

This is at least the third time I have watched this video, it had made such a great difference in how I design! Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom.

[@fairyfox]

Yay!!! That is why I make the videos!

[@amberthurber1213]

You said that so well. Great tips. I loved seeing your progress in the end!

[@leighgifford4050]

Hahaha!!!! So guilty of all of these at the beginning and still sometimes even now! Haha. Sometimes, an “off day” is just that, an off day!

[@fairyfox]

We all have them. It feels so good to laugh it out and not run and hide!

[@mariagongora6844]

Wow! Thanks to be honest about your first designs. Mine are getting better now. Watching you every time you give more confident. Thanks Laura!!!

[@fairyfox]

Maira you are so Welcome! I want to help you all however I can. I hope you are enjoying your journey through art!

[@pattiboleratz8440]

Oh my gosh, lol! I just so appreciate your vulnerability, authenticity, and super fun spirit that you had with this! excellent advice!!! Thank you :)

[@kerisparenga]

Love you new hair do, Laura! Thank you for your "what not to do" video! I'm guilty of not having boundaries, well at least I do try. I thought of you yesterday as I saw some interesting information about butterflies. Did you know that we've been painting dead butterflies 😂it’s atypical for the trailing edge of the forewings to be perpendicular to the body. So mostly when you see butterfly reference photos they are of pinned or dead butterflies. I never thought of that. I look forward to your next awesome video! - Keri

[@fairyfox]

Keri! you are right, how sad!!! I will have a little tear in my heart the next butterfly I paint I think. Thanks for the comment on my hair- I am always trying to find the balance between easy to do and fun to wear and and and- I have been loving this haircut too. I'll try and come up with something great for the next video.

[@stephany.tadros94]

This video is absolutely 150% true!! It was me when I first started out too! Lol thanks for sharing this 😅😅

[@fairyfox]

You are so welcome! It is nice to take a minute to look back, instead of always looking forward!

[@tootiesdecor]

I AM SOOOOOOOO EXCITED YOUR GONNA BE IN OLGA'S SUMMIT!

[@fairyfox]

Thank you!!! I am so excited too! Will you be there all three days?

[@tootiesdecor]

I believe so. So many of my faves at this one too!!!

[@charmionepatterson2072]

I watch this over and over to remind myself. I just did a 2 day festival and I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES. I am so mad at myself. I will try to remember for my next event. In the meantime I plan to grab my family and try to recreate the designs to put in my portfolio. Lesson learned.

[@fairyfox]

Shucks! There is always next time. Good luck! It all sinks in with time and you will just get better and better!

[@veesee9]

Thank you so much for sharing this. This really is helpful, more than you think. First, it teaches us that we all have to start somewhere. Sometimes I feel so discouraged seeing all the professional pics/artists, and how amazing they are. Second, it is very encouraging. I learned that through the mistakes, we should not be discouraged, but instead keep practicing and keep learning. It is also important for us to learn how to giggle at ourselves and through these mistakes, learn, learn, learn. You are amazing, as a person and as an artist. Thank you for your vulnerability and your humbleness. By sharing these type of videos you have helped so many to gain confidence to try and become better; you have helped and encouraged me. When painting I will try and remember these tips! Thank you, thank you!

[@fairyfox]

Vee See, you are so very welcome! I love the chance to teach, and really appreciate when people take the time to comment like you!

[@marneerobinson6214]

What a great video! I think we all have our doubts at times. But when we see that you didn't start out perfect...it gives us confidence that we CAN do it too!!!

[@fairyfox]

Yes Marnee! Exactly. Feeling like we can't do something is harder to get over than the learning to be able to do it! Follow your dreams girl!

[@Dijas.painting16]

@@fairyfox you are an angel Laura, you are my idol. You are so amazing.

[@bumbleebee4673]

I love your page so much I've been practising my teardrops every day and I'm not there yet but I'm better then I was, thanks for sharing

[@MindiiSimii]

I am just starting my face painting business and I relate to almost all of these!! My biggest struggle is a sore back. I have tried sitting, standing, etc. every time my back is aching by the fifth kid in.

[@whollyraw]

Make up chair perhaps? I always stand and have the kids in a tall chair x

[@ReginaMartinsings]

Your chair for the kids isn’t the right height. Also, this may sound funny but exercises and stretches for you Abs and back will help with everything from moving your setup in and out of your vehicle, train etc to bending slightly

[@Natalia-rm5co]

Your video is both hilarious (you have a great sense of humor), and helpful!

[@julielail5721]

needed to see that you started at the beginning too! Ive been building up in my head! Thanks :)

[@fairyfox]

We all need reminders.

[@kelseyjohnson5345]

You are so cute Laura!! Love your jokes and personality and thanks for showing your newbie photos! The tips are awesome 👏

[@fairyfox]

Thank you! I hate missing a chance to learn, even if I have to take a deep breath first to face something I am embarrassed by.

[@robinware6792]

No fair! When I started I was better than you....but now you are amazing and I'm ho-hum. Keep up the videos. Love them!

[@fairyfox]

Robin, Thanks for the laugh. I have come full circle. When I first started my progress irritated a painting mentor- and I didn't get it until 8 years later when I was training a new painter and she would ask a question and I had the answer- the answer I had had to find and didn't know until year 5! The only way up a mountain is to climb, and the only people who make it are the climbers. I am so sure you are much more than ho-hum. Just keep climbing!

[@paolabueso]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@leisureking2716]

Thank You. I had a bit of a confidence droop after covid but your I think I've come further than all these issues and now I don't feel like a beginner any more. If you are a beginner, just keep going, you'll be awesome in no time. Sarah x

[@fairyfox]

Sarah - thanks for encouraging others!

[@jve4477]

I think these are very worthy advices, but for beginning painters, it might be easier to also see the good example, like in the last three pictures at the end of the video.

[@meganharrington4650]

I'm face painting for a birthday party tomorrow, this was very helpful!

[@yourbarecanvas2077]

This was light and humourous with many good tips however it would’ve been more helpful to have compared an image the correct way or the improved design to compare it to the beginners face paint design perhaps idea for a future tutorial

[@fairyfox]

Thanks for the idea- glad you liked it.

[@heikesauerwein6318]

Hi Laura, I really do absolutely LOVE all of your videos and your fantastic designs 😍 - but this one is especially encouraging and motivating. Thank you soooo much for sharing your mistakes with us, so we can learn from them as well! 🙏😘

[@fairyfox]

Heike- Thank you! Learning is the name of the game. As soon as someone "arrives" it is so sad, because then the journey ends! Enjoy painting, thanks for saying such nice things.

[@pranasakhishah6121]

Oh wow! Thank you Laura for taking us through your photos as a newbie painter. Loved this video.

[@fairyfox]

Thanks Prana, I am so glad you like it! I have told people forever that the pictures we see on social media are not the only ones that exist- I guess this proves it!

[@JupiMeow]

Do you have a video about safety/hygiene processes, especially for cleaning brushes and sponges and painting eyelids and lips?

[@JudiChristopher]

This video puts a smile on my FACE... So funny... But so TRUE.

[@fairyfox]

So glad you liked it.

[@jennabarnes9713]

I'm literally laughing out loud & crying. Good for you!! Having improved no end I can totally relate to your honesty 🤣 💖

[@fairyfox]

Thanks Jenna, I laughed a lot making this video.

[@victoriasewell755]

Thank you so much for sharing this! It makes me realize not to be so hard on myself in my first year. ❤

[@fairyfox]

I am so glad to hear it. I have gotten a few comments recently about how "mean it is" so I am glad it helped!

[@lauralaque3662]

These tips are so helpful

[@fairyfox]

Glad you like them! It is really hard to learn it all at once! But there is so much to know too! Patience is one of the hardest lessons face painting is still teaching me.

[@Molbokei]

I'm always the designated face painter, for some reason, whenever there's kids to paint. I make most of these mistakes. I just wanna add: Kids generally are super happy to get ANY kind of face paint. I'm absolutely trying to get better (my goal for this year) but kids are SO FORGIVING most of the time! They see bright painting on the face, they go YAY and boom. This makes it so much safer for my poor ego to keep on trying and failing. ... Kids really are eager to please. As long as the cow doesn't look too much like a horse.

[@fairyfox]

Yes- you are soooo right!!

[@azuismazu9762]

Hilarious... But look at you now. You are one of the best out there and a great inspiration to many of us. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@fairyfox]

Wow, thank you! I am still so impressed and inspired by so many artists myself! Growing is the key to happiness as an artist I think.

[@mickeyjohnson3497]

I love your energy

[@ivonnemontijo8461]

great video but I would go back and reedit it to now include how you do those same designs that had mistakes now with the corrections.

[@michelleh7438]

It is really a great video for all face paining beginners! Practice makes perfect! Love it ❤️

[@fairyfox]

Glad you liked it!!

[@Eeeveekay]

Such a great video, thank you!! I really struggle with establishing boundaries when I am trying to be quick but notice kids getting way too close or touching my stuff even when I ask them not to - eek!

[@fairyfox]

Yes! It is hard for me too to fix a little thing that would make such a big difference! We will get if figured out someday.

[@mariamorejon2670]

Love to watch your videos...Thanks!

[@sunnyb434]

Hi Laura, it's so good to see your beginners face painting. I loved this video, it lets me hope, that i can be a good face painter at once. 😍🤩

[@fairyfox]

Good! There is so much hope! You can do it.

[@alwaysgrowing7273]

Great video!!!! And I just appreciate you & enjoy your videos & your personality!! Thanks L!!

[@fairyfox]

You bet! thanks for the comment.

[@leedouglass4106]

i really enjoyed this fun video as a total beginner :) i like your positive vibe, you had me smiling the whole time :)

[@fairyfox]

I'm so glad!

[@katersization]

I laughed and feel your pain! You are a Wonderful open creative. Thank you.

[@fairyfox]

Thanks Katherine- so glad you liked it.

[@esmeebrown748]

This helped me know what I did wrong! I’m a makeup artist and just starting face painting and love it!

[@fairyfox]

That's awesome!

[@Learnest]

Great painting.... Keep it up...😍😍😍

[@debrabunszel4226]

You always make me smile

[@debrabunszel4226]

This was great. I have made all these mistakes.

[@LaughAboutit3232]

Lol so I’m in the navy and just so happens that I’m an artist and any time when we do any “mandatory fun” and dealing with kids I become the designated face painter, and I’m taking everything in this video to maximize my face painting abilities 😂

[@fairyfox]

Thanks fantastic! Thank you for your service!

[@arieljade275]

Amazing video!!

[@jennifermcgee409]

Great video!

[@5littlearrows]

You are a good sport to help others from your own feaux pas ;)

[@sopita225]

Do you recommend using water based face paint or oil based face paint? I personally like using oil based facepaint on myself but I’m interested in starting to do kids facepaint

[@launabanauna8958]

Excellent advice!

[@fairyfox]

Thanks.

[@construxi]

I have the problem with the sponge marks under the eyes, should I just use a wet wipe after or is there a better way. Alot of the other stuff I have already learned not to do

[@christylarkin5539]

I've been face painting for 30 years and I STILL occasionally forget to paint the nose lol

[@aprilcardenas8725]

Laura, I have a question. What is considered a beginner face painter? I've been painting with my bestie for about maybe 3 months but not an everyday thing. It's been only working like the weekends. I try to practice during the week but i get discouraged when my teardrops look like the candy mike ikes. My swirls are not great either. What stinks the most is that i have issues with my right hand. It locks up sometimes at my wrist, pinky and ring finger. Do you have any advice.

[@fairyfox]

pay attention to the kids smiles to keep you going, practice and good paint/brushes will make the difference. We are ALL trying to make better teardrops- you are not alone.

[@yvettesimpson4697]

OMGosh so true lol. It's we used the biggest brushes we could find for line work 🤣😂

[@fairyfox]

I still laugh when I watch this and see those designs.

[@johannajeffel8310]

Do you have online classes?

[@salleyayad9769]

How did u start

[@Laura-hf8jy]

Thank you

[@mandala7soul880]

Thank y for your wondedrful informations. 🙏🌹

[@TajaMorton]

All I see is happy children. They don’t care if you are a novice or from Broadway. Let’s speak positively and give advice on how to become better instead of bashing those creating magical moments for our children.

[@fairyfox]

Hello- thank you for your opinion. Happy children are great- and they are so happy when someone takes the time to engage and make them art. I am not sure if you missed the intro- but 100% of this video is about me! All of the bashing is laughingly self directed. As a face painter we often yearn for how to improve- but without a more experienced painter present to point out what could be done differently it can be frustrating. This video is meant to highlight some of the things I have changed on the journey to become the artist I am now. Completely my opinion. Never intend to bash anyone. If you don’t enjoy my style, I invite you to find other context creators you do! Happy painting.

[@yanalade9060]

You are sooooo cute 😂😂😂 thank you for your tips xxxxx

[@Sincerely_lish]

Very fun video

[@fairyfox]

one of my favorites too.

[@joannaleger8311]

You are amazing I love your videos

[@fairyfox]

Glad you like them!

[@FelipeRodriguezTorres]

thx

[@mckailaannleger6313]

Your amazing

[@fairyfox]

Thanks!

[@sherrybonney]

I couldn’t watch/listen to all of this! Watched 1/3, started skipping through and had to stop at 2/3….. 😫

[@KalaiAna]

What..? Are you complaining that you have a short attention span and commitment issues?

[@kayzee1013]

You are tooo cute!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nellyt8947]

Thank you so much for this! Yes I laughed and smiled! Keep going you guys! We can do ALL things through CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS us! Philippians 4:13 🙏🏾🙌🏾🤦🏾‍♀️ JESUS bless you! 🙏🏾🙌🏾✝️

[@fairyfox]

amazing, true- I even think Christ is happy when we face paint and make people happy. "feed my sheep" meets "paint my flock!"

[@nellyt8947]

@@fairyfox idk how that 🤦🏾‍♀️ emoji got there it was supposed to be another ✝️ but yeah girl GOD gifts us all of our talents that's why we have to use them for HIS GLORY alone. Every interaction is an encounter to tell someone about CHRIST & HIS love and just to show GOD'S love to someone! 🙏🏾🙌🏾✝️💕

[@nellyt8947]

​@@fairyfox update! I just had my first event this past Wednesday and it went amazing! I'm so happy! & GOD gave me that confidence boost to continue on this journey! 🙏🏾🙌🏾✝️‼️

[@epicembry42]

I spent two hours doing a tiger face paint on myself and man I looked like I was a professional when I did that lol

[@penjenta6618]

This stressed me out for today lol

[@fairyfox]

haha! I laugh at myself every time I watched it- I should add the disclaimer that all the kids were happy none the less

[@the.glitterarti]

Would have been great if you’d shown the correct version as well as the incorrect version - otherwise there’s nothing to learn from this video.

[@GLRDesignsdotcom]

OMGosh...you had me laughing so hard!! All SO TRUE!!🤣