'The art of body painting covers a vast area of painted effects ... from a simple tattoo on the arm to the reproduction of a famous painting across an entire body or painting a model to look fully clothed' (Delemar 1995, pg. 77)
- Delemar states that because the body painting process is very time consuming, it is essential to plan the designs on paper first then to experiment of a mannequin or model before the actual shoot.
- The materials are special watercolours for the skin and a variety of sponges, brushes or any type of tool (including airbrushing) Stencils can be used to make repeat patterns, masking tape is good for a clean edge, natural or stipple sponges for stippling textures, feathers for marbling effects.
- For painting clothes on the body i is best to use sable artists brushes, brushes and airburshing techniques
- These are examples from the Delemar academy
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6 |
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9 |
One of the most famous body painters is Joanne Gair, 'Gair allows us to see the human body as a canvas to be transformed' (Gair EDDDIT)
- As a girl she was fascinated by the Maori culture and the way their tribal heritage was identified by skin adornment.
- She started orking as a makeup-artists and body painter in the 1980s, her self taught body painting skill making her portfolio stand out.
- She became famous in 1992 when working with Annie Leibovitz and Demi Moore for Vanity Fair
- In 1998 she began her long standing collaboration with Sports Illustrated for their swimsuit edition of the magazine
- In 2003 she begun to experiment with photography as well as body painting.
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10 - effect of dried mud being removed |
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11 - promoting cell phones |
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12 - clay, pigment and gold leaf |
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13 - experiment recreating Victoria's Secret underwear |
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14 - Vanity Fair - wings drawn with ballpoint pen |
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15 - advertising job |
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16 - SOHO style magazine. Real creations ink and sharpie pens |
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17 - Sports Illustrated magazine |
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18 |
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19 |
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20 - recreation of Botticelli's Primavera |
I think these images will help my body painting experimentation as they show examples of full artworks that have a purpose. I especially like the use of different textures and materials in Joanne Gair and I'd like to try using some different materials in my work.