How to become a face painter in the UK

If you have a passion for art, love working with children, and want to spread a little happiness at events and parties, then becoming a face painter could be the perfect career path for you. 

Face painting’s a really cute form of artistic expression that brings smiles to people of all ages at parties, festivals, and special events. In this blog post, we will explore the steps to becoming a face painter.

Have (or learn) the right skills

To become a face painter, you need to hone your artistic skills, especially those related to painting and working with different colours and brushes. Start by practising on paper or your own skin to build confidence and experiment with different designs. There are plenty of online tutorials, books and workshops available that can help you learn various face painting techniques and popular designs.

Taking a face painting course or attending workshops can provide valuable hands-on experience and guidance from seasoned professionals. Look for accredited courses that cover not only the artistic aspect but also health and safety considerations. Knowledge of proper hygiene practices and using skin-safe, hypoallergenic products is crucial in face painting.

Get the right supplies

Invest in high-quality face painting supplies, like water-based, non-toxic paints, brushes, sponges and glitter. Ensure that your products comply with safety standards and are suitable for use on the skin. Having a well-equipped kit will allow you to create intricate and eye-catching designs that last. Do your research to find out which products other face painters are using and what they recommend—don’t just take their word for it though, ensure you’re clear on ingredients.

Build a portfolio

Create a portfolio of your face painting designs to showcase your skills to clients, whether that’s the people whose faces you’re painting or someone looking to book you for an event. Take photographs of your work, and if possible, include pictures of happy customers with their painted faces. A visually appealing portfolio will serve as a powerful marketing tool when reaching out to event organisers and party planners. You can keep it to hand so that clients can use it as inspiration for their design too.

Have insurance in place

As a professional face painter, it is essential to consider protecting yourself and your business with specialist face painting insurance. This insurance covers you in case of any accidents or damages that may occur while you are providing your services at events or parties. Make sure you’re aware of the terms that come with your insurance, and if there’s anything you’re responsible for to make sure your insurance is valid (such as carrying out a test or asking your face painting clients to fill out some health info and sign a waiver).

Network and promote your services

Start networking with event planners, party organisers, schools, and local businesses to offer your face painting services. Attending community events and festivals can also help you gain exposure and connect with potential clients. Social media platforms and creating a website to showcase your work make it easy for people to find and contact you. You should also list your services on local directories. Other options are advertising in local businesses, trying to get press coverage in the local press and even flyering the local area, though this sometimes needs a permit and comes at a cost.

Gain experience

In the beginning, consider offering your services at discounted rates or even for free at local events to gain experience and build your reputation. Word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers can significantly boost your face painting business. You can even offer to shadow and support an existing face painter to get some experience, advice and contacts. This is common in the makeup artist industry, and it’s not a million miles away from face painting.

Set your prices

Your pricing will depend on your skills, speed, equipment and the local market. It’s important that you cost your services so that you’re not out of pocket after you’ve bought supplies. Take a look at other local face painters to see what they charge for similar services—it isn’t about undercutting, but it’s about pricing your services appropriately so you can balance out bookings, costs and being busy. Also have a plan for how you charge, and how people can pay you—people don’t always carry cash, or you might earn more offering a fixed fee for an event or party.

Stay updated with trends

The face painting industry, like any other creative field, evolves with time. Stay updated with current trends, popular characters and themes that are in demand. Being versatile and adapting to customers' preferences will make you a sought-after face painter. Look at trending movies, TV shows and characters to see what’s in demand—don’t be scared to check out the socials of other face painters to get some ideas either. It’s likely that your customers will be asking for the same thing on repeat too.

Have a plan for different seasons

It’s likely that your workload will fluctuate—there tends to be more events during spring and summer, whereas parties go on throughout the year. If there are ways to diversify your business or offer additional services during quieter periods then this is definitely an option that you should think about carefully. Or, focus on the busier periods when it’s likely that you can make more money.

Should you become a face painter?

Becoming a face painter opens up a world of colourful and creative opportunities where you can express your creativity while bringing joy to others. By gaining the right skills, investing in quality supplies, building a portfolio and networking, you can establish a successful face painting business. 

Remember that practice, patience, and a genuine love for art and people are the keys to unlocking your full potential as a face painter.

Specialist face painting insurance through Ripe

Just starting your face painting business? You may want to protect it through specialist face painting insurance to ensure you have peace of mind whilst pursuing your passion. 

Face painting insurance arranged by Ripe includes up to £10m Public and Products Liability cover and Treatment Risk cover as standard. You also have the option to choose additional cover, such as Contents or Employers' Liability, so you only ever pay for the cover you need. 

Learn more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote today.