Three Reasons to Use a Quality Face Paint Sponge
Whether an amateur or a pro, an artist respects their tools. An artist wants the comfort of a quality tool in hand while creating their artistic vision. Substitution of quality is noticeable in the artistry, efficiency, and, ultimately, satisfaction with the final design.
The joy of a job well done is rarely seen more clearly than in the eyes of a child upon completion of their painstakingly chosen face paint design. However, if you need more than a triumphant child’s reaction, you should keep only quality face painting sponges in your tool kit.
- Makeup Sponges are Not Made for Body Paint
A makeup sponge is a poor substitute for a quality face painting sponge. By design, a foam latex makeup sponge will repel water, a key ingredient in applying face paint. It will dry up and absorb the paint, making it difficult to blend. When the paint is absorbed into the sponge, the drying out effect makes it difficult to blend the body paint colors within the design.
- Cheap Sponges Cost You More Money
The average synthetic sponge, often made of polyester, is not made to absorb and evenly distribute body paint. It can break down over time and leave pieces of sponge in your paint, which is ineffective for a smooth application. They will need to be replaced frequently to produce decent results. Plus, the synthetic sponge often lacks the firmness needed to apply body paint in straight lines or hard-to-reach areas. Firmness is vital in creating a sharp and realistic design.
- Quality Face Painting Sponges are the Secret to Great Art
While a quality tool does not necessarily make one a better artist, it does improve the outcome of the artwork being created. For an artist looking to produce eye-catching face paint designs, there are only a few sponges that are a must-have in the tool kit:
- Full round: high- or medium-density sponges have large pores and are best for absorbing paint and delivering a smooth application to the skin. This face painting sponge is also suitable for blending. When cut it half, the rounded edges, flat edges, and sharp points of the sponge provide various angles for artistic expressions.
- Petal: the tear-drop shape of this sponge makes for easy work in hard-to-reach areas, like the corners of the eyes. It is perfect for quick designs like butterfly wings or flower petals. This sponge is excellent for design with split cake face paint as well.
- Dauber: this small, round face painting sponge goes on the tip of your finger or the tip of a short stick. It is perfect for stencils, blending, and other small, circular designs.
A high-quality face painting sponge will serve you well if properly maintained. They should be washed between individual uses and thoroughly dried to avoid mildew or a musty smell. You can wash them by hand with mild soap or in a washer (in a mesh bag). Because of the need for washing between uses, it’s best to have several of each shape. That way, the artist can continue to the next design while the just-washed face painting sponges spend ample time drying.
As always, with the right tools, beginner to novice body paint artists can create detailed and beautiful work!
