What it's like to be a face painter 🦋
Face Paint Artist Life 🎨
Business practices & people tips 💕

My top 10 steps to face painting for an event, from start to finish, with a couple of sidenotes.


00:00 Hello
01:23 Be Seen Be Found
02:23 Communication
05:24 Arrive Early
06:03 Setting Up
09:33 Paint & take Care of yourself
11:09 Closing & Leaving on Time
16:35 Packing up
17:22 PPF Events
20:30 Upset People
22:32 Moment
24:42 Crying Children & Pushy Parents
28:13 Scenario
30:05 End


#1 Be Seen Be Found
* Facebook Page: Show your Service area, email, phone number
* Car Vinyl: Face Painting by " your business name here "
* Send introduction email with photos, service area & contact info to local businesses

#2 Pick your communication
* All mine go through my email, I turned off Facebook messenger
* Get all needed event info at once – saves everyone time & energy
* Save drafts in email to copy & paste so you don't have to keep typing the same email
* If Not Available list other artists they can contact
* Once your confirmed to move forward: send contract, receive signed contract, put event info in calendar/book
* Text event 1 week prior to date to check in

#3 Arrive early (15-20min+)
* Park, unload, setup, bathroom
* Talk while you continue doing what you need to do & setting up

#4 Set-up
* Good spot: away from music & food
* people will find me, tucked away is good with room for line to form, out of the way
* Carry supplies for small events or use folding wagon for large events (more stuff)
* Position sign/menu to be clearly visible & not blocked (sign info: face painting, Cost, Times, designs)
* tape or chalk boundaries on ground (painter's tape works on grass)
* I Always bring my own water,tip jar, sign, sanitizer, tissues, microfiber towels

#5 Paint
* And take care of yourself throughout the event : drink water, clean hands, change paint water, stand up & stretch, blow your nose
* A Happy Painter = Happy people = a great day!
* Take care of yourself before the event : wear clothes that are comfortable & make you feel good, stay up an extra 20 minutes before bed to make sure you’re good to go, pack car the night before, make a list, check the weather forecast

#6 CLOSING & leaving On Time
* ON Time for me = 10-20 minutes after designated close time – this includes the time for packing up
* Having a smaller set-up helps
How to:
1. Clear, Visible sign with painting times
2. Announcement : 30–10 minutes before Close = stop painting, get up & gesture to sign "I'm closing at 4:00, everyone after 4 may have a rainbow & sparkles."
* At least they will all leave with something & everyone is happy
3. Stay true to your word & your boundaries!
* close when you say you're closed
* Be Calm & Clear about everything

#7 Packing Up
* Parent / Event Coordinators will talk to me & pay me
* I let them know "I had a great time, thank you for having me. I don’t need any help, don’t worry about me, I’m going to pack up & head out. Thank you!"
* That way they can continue enjoying there event

#8 Pay Per Face Events
* Bring : Change $ based on the cost of your paintings (you may need more 1’s, 5’s or 10’s)
* Make sure your Phone & Card Reader are charged
* Use a fanny pack or purse with easy access to accept payment
* Always keep your $ on you (bathroom trip)
* Backpack or extra bag to put tip jar in.
* I keep my face painting kit open if I need to run to the bathroom. It’s harder for someone to steal that way.

#9 Upset, Mean or Rude People
1. Have clearly visible painting times
2. Use your voice kindly & firmly, for all to hear, 10-30 minutes before closing, to let everyone know Again, when you are closing
3. Set Boundaries & stick to them! = use painter’s tape to establish your line & if you need to adjust the flow of your line, use your Voice to ask everyone to move a certain way
* They will see that you are a professional person & you mean business. Also, by having a sign with your times & making an announcement for Everyone to hear – they can NOT say that they didn’t know or get upset when you close. They will look foolish if they do. No one wants to look foolish.

#10 Crying Children & Pushy Parents
* I NEVER paint anyone that does Not want to be painted
* I Do NOT allow parents to Restrain their child (hold them still or hold their child’s heads in place)
* I only paint people who want to be painted & freely let me paint them
No Exceptions

Real Scenario :
A parent & child have been waiting in line for an hour, it’s now their turn & the child is crying & doesn’t want a painting. The parent sits down with the child in her lap, holds the child’s crying head against her chest & says “its fine, you can paint her”
I Always say “No. I don’t paint crying children & I don’t paint anyone who doesn’t want to be painted.”

I’m happy & confident about my boundaries.
What is MOST Important to me & my business is to give everyone who visits me a Wonderful experience with Face Painting!