I am AIRBRUSHING MORE...

I have had many people asking me about airbrush body painting and the pros and cons of it. I recently did a fun body painting using solely airbrush. The image at left is the result and it took about 1.5 hours to paint. I cut my own stencils from chipboard which I bought at my local art supple. I find that using a cardboard or "absorbent" material for stencils works better for me than using a "slick" non-porous surface such as acetate or duralar. The reason is that when working with water - based airbrush makeup the "slicker" surfaces of stencils tends to RUN as the makeup builds up on the surface, whereas when using an absorbent surface, it obviously ABSORBS more so the makeup does not RUN as you are working...

Important things to remember: if you cut your own stencils (which I recommend so that your work is "original") be sure to keep BOTH the "positive" and the "negative" parts of your stencils! This way you can airbrush through the "negative" (or cut-out area of your stencil) and then use your "positive" (or the area that was cut away from the stencil) to go back in and "mask" the design as you add highlights...

A little trick from Alex Hanson. I'll try and add more soon!

Is anyone even reading this?

Halloween Experiments w/Liquid Latex & DURA Makeup

Halloween was three days ago, I have finally recovered. I did a number of makeup and body art gigs that day, two of which incorporated make up elements that I have not used in recent past work. One client wanted to have LIQUID LATEX incorporated into her body painting (result is seen on the top of this blog page, at the moment), while a second client wished to have her entire body painted as a leopard using TEMPTU's DURA MAKEUP, a makeup generally used for temporary tattoos, because it is waterproof and requires alcohol to remove.
DURA makeup can also last for up to 5 days on the skin!
The liquid latex was supplied to me by the client from a company called www.liquidlatexonline.com
After the initial body painting was done with water-based makeup and the liquid latex (from 7 am til 11 am) my client went to work (wearing a tank over the body art). She returned to my place at 6 pm (7 hours later!) for me to costume her and style her hair for the Halloween Parade that evening. Upon her return, we both agreed that the liquid latex had NOT held up as well as the body makeup. The latex was popping off in spots as well as ripping in others. Luckily, the fabric I had used to make her costume had a distressed (almost charred) look to it SO the degenerated liquid latex matched the costume and did not look that bad. It should be noted that I only applied ONE coat of the liquid latex in lines throughout the body art design and that it is very possible that because I was using liquid latex OVER water-based makeup, this significantly effected the durability of the latex. It was definitely a VERY cool effect AND the design held up WELL into the night - long enough for this model walk the Halloween Parade, then enter and win second place in a costume contest! One thing to note IF you want to use liquid latex is that you MUSTY use brushes that you are willing to part with, forever. Liquid latex quickly dries in your brush (or applicator) and will not be usable again. One should have a collection of VERY CHEAP disposable brushes on hand when painting with Liquid Latex.
My Leopard Lady wanted to be body painted using DURA makeup because she wanted to have her body makeup on for both Friday night's and Saturday night's parties. I explained to her in detail about how long the makeup would last and how it would have to be removed BEFORE painting her with it. After explaining the details, she still insisted, so we then purchased the appropriate colors in DURA 4.0 ounce bottles (at about $ 30 a bottle, mind you!) from TEMPTU cosmetics and I spent a day drawing and cutting leopard spot stencils of various sizes the day before our session. I used IWATA bottom-feed airbrushes for the white and orange base-coat (about 2.5 hours) and then used my IWATA top-feed airbrushes for the spots. I have never done a FULL body painting using JUST my airbrushes (with no sponge or brush work) so this was a first. NOTE: one CAN use a brush for linework and details with the DURA, but you must use ALCOHOL to liquify the makeup rather than water. This tends to go VERY slow, as the alcohol quickly evaporates and ALSO usually ravages and eventually ruins your brushes!
Here are a few important notes for you , should YOU wish to do a "water-proof" body painting with DURA Makeup:
1) THOROUGHLY explain to you model/client that the makeup will stay ON for 2- 5 days and that they will have to use ALCOHOL to take it off.
2) Create stencils from a HARDER plastic sheet (preferable frosted, not clear!) so that you can CLEAN your stencils during your painting session. You will have to clean the stencils with alcohol throughout your painting, as the makeup will build up on the stencils (and it is a bit sticky!)
3) Occasionally run alcohol through your air-gun (during the painting session) to keep your needle and nozzle clean as you paint (helps deter clogs!)
4) Wear a light-weight latex glove (or surgical glove) on the hand that you are using to hold your stencil onto the skin with. If you do not, your hand/fingers will eventually get covered with the DURA and you will be needing to wash - and re-wash your hand in alcohol to take it off. This dries ones hands out VERY quickly.
5) POWDER the makeup after you complete the body art - YOU MUST do this so that the makeup is sealed and does not remain "tacky" or "sticky". Also explain to your client that THEY will have to apply powder over the makeup after they bath/shower to re-seal the makeup so it is not sticky or tacky.
6) Clean your airbrushes afterwards! You must use alcohol for this as well.
Got questions? Check out www.TEMPTU.com and tell them Derrick sent you!
Happy Painting!

Where does one LEARN Face and Body Painting?

I get a number of queries through my website asking if I teach face and body painting - or simply "How do I learn to face and body paint?" Quick Answer - YES, I teach!

So send me a note (through www.bodyartbyderrick.com) and let's set up a class!

BUT if you are not into taking a one-on-one class with me, there are various methods to learn to face and body paint. The BEST way is to simply purchase yourself some products and find a face or body... then have some fun!

In the posting below, I have listed a few places, items, events, etcetera that I recommend to face and body art "newbies". Just remember to PLEASE use FDA approved face and body MAKEUP and to keep your tools (brushes/sponges/etc.) CLEAN and cared for!

Face and Body Art Convention (takes place in Orlando Florida!) is worth the expense and the trip - I have attended once and besides learning countless tips and techniques in three days, more importantly you will meet some incredible artists who will teach and INSPIRE you!

SILLY FARM makeup supply has an incredible selection of materials and BOOKS that will show you all you need to know. They carry books by the Wolfe Brothers, Mama Clown as well as many others.

YOU TUBE has a bunch of REALLY great instructional videos. I especially like the videos posted by my friend Chrys Dawid from CT FACE ART.

Find ARTISTS whose work you like (the web is incredible for this) and see when and if they are teaching classes. I have picked up invaluable tricks and tips from an array of artists such as Danielle Fronsesca-Ondrek, Alex Hansen, The Wolfe Brothers and Olivier Zegers...

You can also find or host a "Face Painting Jam" in your area. These are events where many artists get together to share techniques and meet one another. If you hear of one in the New York area, do let me know, as I have never attended one here!

Last but not least, you can get started the way that I did:

Go out to your local park or playground and set-up shop to paint eager little faces. Of course you will have to bring yourself a table and chairs and anything else you need to set-up as well as KNOW THE RULES/LAWS of painting people in a public spot. Oftentimes you can paint faces/bodies in public places as long as you are not charging. You CAN, however make some quick cash this way by soliciting for TIPS (via a tip jar and/or sign) while you work. Painting in a park like this is ALSO a great way to start a portfolio of your work. If people are not PAYING you, you can usually paint whatever YOU want to paint, therefore you can try out your ideas on actual people and see if this type of art is for you!

You can write to your parks department and ask them about the legalities of doing this. I have done this in NYC and was pleasantly surprised to receive an actual letter back from the parks commissioner detailing New York City's local laws. (no I will NOT send you a copy, write them yourself!)

So get out from in front of you FRACKIN COMPUTER and go make art!!!

Canadian Body Art Championships, Nanaimo, B.C.

I am finally back in NYC after traveling to Nanaimo. Canada for the Canadian Body Art Championships! Much to my excitement me and my INCREDIBLY talented model, Peter Ellingson (in pic above!), took home a 3rd place trophy for the sponge and brush category as well as won a first place trophy in the "people's choice" category. (note: Due to the fact that all the votes were not counted on the night of the competition, the event organizers did not inform Peter and I that we had, in fact, won "people's choice" until the morning AFTER the competition...BUT we were happy to get the news rather late than never!)

Here is a breakdown of the overall winners:

First PLace: Alex Hansen

Second Place: Samantha Rae Rhodes

Third Place: Lucie Broullard

This event was the first time that I have competed in a body painting competition and the it was a LOT of fun! It was incredible to be in the presence of such amazing artists AND fabulous models and to see the many different styles of painting and interpretations of the "It's a Jungle Out There" theme each artist created. I also took an airbrush class with Alex Hansen (which was a bit of a let down due to the fact Alex's makeup sponsor failed to get him the products he needed for his class) and learned a few things from this incredible artist. MORE importantly, I was able to watch Alex paint and get to know him, he is SUCH a character and a LOT of fun to be around.

What is most interesting to me from this experience is my realization of why I do body painting as an art. The idea of "competition" is one that I have never been that fond of (I HATED critiques in art school way back... before I dropped out, that is!) and this competition experience proved once again that the concept of "competition" and "creativity", to me, are not a good match. Now now now! Don't get me wrong, a little competition every now and again can be a healthy thing! I just have always been wary of critiques and criticisms and ratings because those type of judgements are usually the result of one's opinions, comparisons and (on some level) individual taste. Therefore who are any of us to say what is good or bad in the arena of art?

I would like to add that the performances on the night of the competition were truly incredible. This "stage show" of body art reminded me of what a cool, primal and completely UNIVERSAL art form body painting is. As I watched each model PERFORM on stage that night, in front of the clothed crowd, performers dressed in nothing but body paint, I felt I was part of a huge human tribe. Through the music and the dancing and the body art and the crowd's reaction there was this AMAZING celebration of the human form AND this transcendent reverence for i on an array of levels (at least to me!). Watching the show that night I felt a connection with history and on some primal level gained much more respect and reverence for the power of this ancient art, something that we "modern" men and women rarely get a chance to see.

If you have the chance, YOU GOT TO GO.

Body Art as Public Art

Friday evening I created a body painted "Angel" for a small event at Columbia University. I worked with my favorite body painting model, Sarah Murphy, and was pleased that she allowed me to create an "Angel" design on her fine self. The event was a showcase of "unique" art forms, of which my body painting was considered.
(visit the Society of Unique Artists for info)
The event (to me) did not seem that well organized or well advertised and thus the flow of people through the space was small. However, the people that DID come were wowed by ice sculptures, amazing cake decorating creations, paper sculptures, a quick sketch artist, food sculpture and (last but not least) my body art. My "angel" gave out positive "angelic affirmations" from her shiny silver pocketbook to guests, all of whom gratefully received her "blessing". I specifically created the Angel concept as an interactive art work to put some much needed positivity out into the world... After greeting spectators at our booth and socializing inside the event hall for an hour and a half, my Angel and I (and my two friend Alex and Anna) decided to hit the streets on the upper west side for some real head-turning traffic-stopping action and Sarah , as Angel, did not fail to deliver.
It was a busy Friday night in NYC and we strolled up and down Broadway (around 115th street) with Sarah (as Angel) posing for photos at bus stops, in doorways, with various strangers and even on the steps of a church. This stroll, which ended with some large cones of Haagen Daaz ice cream, was definitely the highlight of MY evening. Walking in public with my living art piece reminded me of the power of a beautiful woman, the power of the human body and the power of the PAINTED human body to turn heads, stir reactions and conversations among "ordinary" people by presenting them with an out-of -the ordinary moment. This little stroll made the whole event worth it for me (as an artist) by being able to see the reactions of spectators to my art. Sarah, God bless her, played her part to the nines and passed out many "angelic affirmations" to giddy gawkers on the street and again reminded me that one must TRULY choose a model who can WORK IT if they are going to create body art and then take it out into the streets. What a refreshing first-hand reminder of how blessed I am to work in a living medium that is so unique. Consensus: Great shots from the studio documenting my body art work are great to have but MEMORIES of the night where my art turned heads and confronted people with a smile and positivity - PRICELESS.

Canadian Body Painting Festival 09/04 - 09/07/08

I am heading to Nanaimo, British Columbia to be part of and (gasp!) compete in the Canadian Body Painting Festival. I will be taking an intermediate airbrush body art workshop with World Body Painting champion, Alex Hansen on Friday (09/05) and then creating a piece for the Sponge and Brush Category of the competition on Saturday (09/06). For the competition we will have SIX hours to paint/complete our model. The thing I like about this competition is, unlike the World Body Painting Festival in Austria, this competition only allows a SINGLE artist to work on a SINGLE model. The World BP Festival in Austria has TEAMS of artists, all working on one model and thus I feel it probably is difficult for a sole artist to place if they go there without a team. The theme of the Canadian festival is "It's a Jungle Out There" - which leaves quite a bit of room for interpretation... The festival organizer, Dawn Tyndall, has been so attentive to me via e mail and is also attempting to find me a model. Luckily, I recently contacted a beautiful contortionist/model whom I've painted before AND who just HAPPENS to now be based in the Pacific Northwest, her name is Tanya Burka. I am keeping my fingers crossed she can be my model... I need to start planning a design, hair and all that jazz... as well as try and confirm a model! I'll keep you posted as this excursion evolves...

Enhancing Body Art...

As you can see (via pics in last post with the peacock, zebra and reptile) I often utilize costumes, hair styling, wigs, props, accessories, beauty makeup, prosthetics, sequins, feathers, glitter and a host of other additions to enhance the overall effect of my painted models. THAT is what I call creating a "COMPLETE LOOK". I find if I take the time to create an overall look (including hair, face make up and accessories) for my painted bodies, the end result is 1,000 times better than just a plain ole painted body. When I first started body painting I was solely focused on what the body art design was and how it would be executed, I did not think too much about the "accoutrements". However, it did not take me more than one experience of spending 5 hours body painting a model, then realizing her makeup and her hair were totally not up to par with my artistic scheme or painted theme (because she had "done it" herself) and thus it did not enhance my work, but rather detracted from it. I now know I can spend an entire day painting a model and create the most beautiful artwork on him or her BUT when that painted model walks into a room full of people - the FIRST thing those people are going to look at is that model's FACE (it is how human "recognition" works!). If my model's face is not in sync with the body art... (to that audience), it will look like an oversight, NOT that it was my intent. SOOOOO -

Nowadays, I push my clients to pay a little extra so that I may style the models and or create costumes, wigs, do their beauty make up or hire my favorite beauty make up artist (CoCo) to do that for me. The one pitfall about trying to do everything one's self is that it takes more time to prep and then on the day of the actual gig, if one has been involved in the body painting for 4 - 6 hours ... they will eventually have to switch to "face make up mode" or "hair mode" and sometimes the transition is a bit bumpy!

My ending advice then is to:

1) Play around with utilizing accessories for your models and remember the sky is the limit.

2) Learn basic beauty makeup (Kevin Aucoin's book MAKING FACES is perfect for this!)

3) Learn to sew! (ha ha, right!) If you have a sewing machine and know how to use it (like I do!) all the more fun you can have.

4) Utilize costume pieces, wigs, sequins & anything that could enhance a "LOOK"

5) Remember, fantasy has no limits... just ENDLESS possibilities.

6) Take A LOT of pictures!