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.

If you're training as a makeup artist, working as a face painter can also be the perfect beauty side hustle for you to test out your artistic skills and earn some extra money at the same time.

Face painting is a form of artistic expression that brings smiles to people of all ages at parties, festivals, and special events. In this blog, we’ll explore the necessary steps to becoming a face painter in the UK.

 

 

How to become a professional face painter

1. 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 practising on paper or on your own skin to build confidence and experiment with different designs.

There are numerous online tutorials, books, and workshops available to help you learn various face-painting techniques and popular designs.

 

2. Get the right supplies

Invest in high-quality face painting supplies, such as:

• water-based, non-toxic paints
• brushes
• sponges
• body glitter
• cups for rinsing
• a spray bottle
• stencils
• wet wipes

When buying paints, there are three terms you’ll come across frequently:

• Single cake: A container of one single colour.
• Split cake: A container of two or more colours in a larger pan.
• One stroke: Similar to a split cake, but in a smaller container. They're often used to pick up multiple colours in one brush stroke.

Ensure that the products you use comply with safety and hygiene standards and are suitable for use on the skin. 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; you need to know what ingredients you’ll be using.

 

 

3. Build a portfolio

Create a portfolio of your face painting designs to showcase your skills to clients. Clients can range from individuals who want their faces painted to those 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 clients can use it as inspiration for their design, too.

 

4. 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. Having a website and being active on social media will allow you to showcase your work and make it easy for people to find and contact you.

You should also list your services in local directories. Other options include advertising in local businesses, seeking local press coverage, or distributing flyers in your area. However, this sometimes requires a permit and incurs a cost.

 

5. Gain experience

Initially, you could consider offering your services at discounted rates or even for free at local events. This can help you gain experience and grow your reputation. Word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers can significantly boost your face-painting business, so don’t overlook them.

You could even offer to shadow and support an existing face painter when you’re first starting out to get some experience, advice and build your contact list. This is common in the makeup artist industry and can be a great way to network.

 

6. Set your prices

Your pricing will depend on your skills, speed, equipment and the local market. It's essential to accurately cost your services so that you're not out of pocket after purchasing supplies. Look at other local face painters to see what they charge for similar services—it isn't about undercutting; 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. Nowadays, people often don't carry cash, so you may need a card machine if you want to be paid individually. On the other hand, you may decide to be paid by the hour instead, depending on the type of events you’re working at.

 

 

7. Stay updated with trends

Like any other creative field, the face painting industry evolves with time. Stay updated with current trends, as well as popular characters and themes that are in high 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 topical, and don't be scared to check out other face painters online for inspiration, either. Your customers will likely request the same thing repeatedly.

 

8. Have a plan for different seasons

Your workload will likely fluctuate—more events tend to occur 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, this is an option worth considering carefully. Alternatively, you might decide to focus on the busier periods when it's likely you can make more money.

 

9. Consider getting face painting insurance

Although having face painting insurance is not a legal requirement, you may find that some venues will require you to have public liability insurance as a minimum to be able to offer your services there. This is why it’s always worth checking with the organiser of an event before you book.

 

How to become a certified face painter: FAQs

How much do face painters earn?

The amount a face painter can earn will vary widely depending on their location, experience, and the type of events they attend. Hourly rates can range between £30-£80 an hour, but day rates for full events could increase to between £100-£400, depending on the event.

Of course, face painting opportunities can fluctuate seasonally, so if you’re relying on festivals and other summer events, make sure you’re factoring this into your pricing strategy.

If you have the skills and dedication, making face painting your full-time job is possible. It's best to start out part-time and focus on building your portfolio and marketing your business, but you may find that you're able to fund yourself full-time if you'd like to make face painting a career. Glassdoor even estimates that the average salary for a full-time face painter is £29k a year.

How do I become a qualified face painter?

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 of face painting but also the health and safety considerations. Knowledge of proper hygiene practices and using skin-safe, hypoallergenic products is crucial in face painting.

Do you need a licence to do face painting?

You don’t need a specific licence to start face painting; however, you may need a valid DBS certificate if you’re working with children.

 

 

Specialist face painting insurance through Ripe

Just starting your face painting business? You may want to protect it with specialist face painting insurance for peace of mind whilst pursuing your passion.

Face painting insurance through 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 specialist face painting insurance, or get an instant online quote today.