Body Painting

Bodypainting is a form of art which allows the artist to use the body as a canvas. Body painting is an ancient tradition which was used and is still used in tribalist culture, with bodies being painted using clay and other natural pigments . It is also used

The body can be manipulated using different shapes, highlights and shadows as well as a range of other techniques. Blocking out can be done using black areas - this is a technique often used in body painting. Materials such as fullers earth are often used as it gives an interesting cracked texture which can be painted upon.

Other techniques used in body painting include: Stencils, stamps, transfer/tattoo paper

I was not there for the body painting workshop however I did try and paint my arm with iguana scales using aquacolours. I would really like to do a full body paint at some point as painting is something I enjoy

Fig 26.

CULTURAL BODY PAINTING

African body art uses the human body as a way to express an individual's status, spiritual beliefs, or ethnic affiliation. Body art can also be created for wear on the body in the form of clothes or jewellery. Body art can also sometimes symbolise protection.

Today many Africans embrace a variety of traditional forms of body painting, turning each decorated person work of art.

The Surma - pictured right, orginate in Ethiopia. Surmas decorate their bodies using chalk and earth pigments to create patterns. Children begin learning the art of body painting at an early age by imitating their parents.

Fig 28.

The Huli Wigmen are the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea, they paint their faces with egg yellow pigments for festivals.

Fig 27.

AUSTRIA WORLD BODY PAINTING COMPETITION

Fig 29.

Fig 30.

The festival which started in 1998, brings international artists together from over 40 countries and is become the centerl of the body painting
scene.

These are two examples of bodypaints from the festival. Each are vibrant and intricate designs. Fig. 30 uses black to block out the area at the top of the thigh.

This is one of the winners from the special effects category of the festival. I really like how costume is incorporated into the special effects bodypaints. I really like this design as I feel the costume and make up work so well together. I like the steam-punk style of the work.

Fig 31.

OTHER BODY PAINTS

Fig 32.

I really love this body paint. I like the use of prosthetics with body painting. I particularly like the intricacy of of the pieces. The make up looks as though it has an Egyptian. I think this is an effective look and I feel inspired to try and create my own body paint/proshetic look in the future.

Fig 33.

This book is full of body paints which transform actress Vera Lehndorffs body into the surroundings of the picture. She appears almost chameleon like in her transformation - becoming whatever her background is; walls, forest, stone.

Verushka's work is incredible, her body painting is almost unbelievable. I think her work is particularly useful as reference, as it is hyperrealistic and I intend use painting within my project.

Fig 34.