Do you sponge or brush?

[Sherry]

I had a huge event today.  Very busy with hordes of people, so time flew.  I met and worked with another artist that I've never worked with before.  She had beautiful designs and only painted with brushes.  I noticed she had one large body brush, but I didn't get to see much else of how she applied the paint because we were sooo busy.

I always sponge and I don't think I'd do well with all brushes.  But you never know... maybe that was the secret to her art.  She said she can't get the hang of sponging.  I sometimes wonder if the way you initially learn face painting has an effect and we just don't break out of our comfort zone after that.  I think that is what it is for me anyway.

[Alison]

I'm a sponger. 

Did your brush-painter do full-face designs?

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

It all depends on the design.
Sometimes, I use a large flat brush to put down a "rainbow" color down the side of the face.
Then, I use smaller brushes to add smaller images and swirls, dots, etc.

For full faces with lots of coverage with one color - sponges do it for me.
The answer for each of us is whatever is comfortable for you!

[Sherry]

Yes, the face painter did full faces... pretty awesome ones.

I usually sponge on the rainbow, but it seems to take some time to load the sponge and I feel like it uses up my rainbow too fast.  I think I'll give the brush a go and see how that works.

[Whitney Myers]

Sherry, was it Heather or somebody else?

[Sherry]

Yes, it was Heather.

[Whitney Myers]

Yeah, after trying a lot of different techniques out, I have found myself using my sponges less. I still use them, but they are not my go to anymore. I feel like I am faster with my brushes.

[Psalmbook]

I use both. It just depends the design & look I'm going for. I do a lot of one stroke painting, but am pretty good w/ blending w/ a filbert body brush. When I do body painting & often switch to a brush & use a kabuki brush for large areas.
BTW, I love Heather's work!!