AY Honors/Face Painting/Answer Key

Face Painting

Skill Level

2

Year

2018

Version

02.09.2025

Approval authority

Australian Union

1

Briefly describe what face painting is. Name and describe at least three different types of face painting and why they are used.

Face painting is the artistic application of cosmetic “paint” to a person’s face.

Religious/Ceremonial
People have used face paint as a means to express what they believed, that face painting with specific colours had special meanings and could be used as a spiritual tool. In many cultures, face painting is a deeply ingrained tradition, used in ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations.

Meaning and Symbolism: Patterns and colours can represent lineage, status, beliefs, and spiritual connections. Eg Geisha / Amazonian tribes view face painting as a symbol of transforming oneself into something else, setting humans apart from animals.

Entertainment/Performances
Face painting became common in historical times as part of the world of live entertainment. Many different groups of people got involved with elaborate face painting for the purposes of creating or enhancing a costume that was used in some type of arts performance.

Artistic / Recreational
Self-Expression: Face painting offers a canvas for creative expression, allowing individuals to depict their mood, personality, or favourite characters or themes.

Play and Fun: Face painting is a fun activity for children and adults, especially at parties, events, and festivals, enabling them to participate in imaginative play.

Themed Events: Events like Halloween, Mardi Gras, or Comic-Con often feature face painting as a fun and festive activity, allowing attendees to transform into their favourite characters or create themed design.

2

List and explain the equipment needed to face paint. Name at least seven of the basic items.

• Face Painting Paints
• Brushes - Round face painting brush / Flat face painting brush
• Face painting sponge
• Face Painting glitter / diamanté stickers
• Cups of water
• Baby Wipes
• Face painting sample chart
• Palette or plate for mixing colours
• Mirror

3

List eight hygiene practices face painters should use.

• Use the right product
• Keep your tools clean
• Use clean water
• Keep your hands clean
• Keep face painting kit clean
• Do not paint over damaged skin or wounds
• Make sure you are painting over clean skin
• Only use safe glitter, not craft glitter
• Your health matters

4

Paint is classified into two groups. Name them and list at least two brands that fit in each group. Why is this classification important to know?

5

Describe how you would activate new paint and reactivate used paint.

6

Explain how to care for brushes.

7

Demonstrate each type of line used in face painting. (Note: You can use acrylic paint when practicing brush strokes on paper, as face paints can be expensive. Do not use acrylic paint on skin. Use any round tip brush.)

• Tear Drop
• Reverse Tear Drop
• Thin Lines
• Thick Lines
• Swirls
• Double Swirls
• Tiger Lines

8

Demonstrate and explain how to use a sponge correctly.

9

Using all the skills you have learned and practiced, copy two of the following face paint designs.

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10

Describe how you could use your skill in face painting as an outreach in your community.

11

Select 10 different designs that you can find on the internet or books that would uphold your Christian standards and glorify God if you were to paint them.

12

Read the following two verses from the Bible. Then, in your own words, write how these verses would influence how you would paint someone's face.

12a

Philippians 4:8

As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man.
— Proverbs 27:19 (NKJV)

12b

Proverbs 27:19

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
— Matthew 3:9 (NIV)

References

• Australian Union Face Painting Honor
• Face Painting Video