body painting photos

Bodypainting is all about embellishing the beauty and mystery of the human form in a provocative, competitive and we've got to admit, a titillating environment using paints, props, music, and above all imagination.

"Body Gras!™", the host of the Canadian Bodypainting Championships, was set in motion in the summer of 2002 when its founders convinced nearly 20 artists, and just as many models and stylists, to compete in a new body painting competition staged in Nanaimo, B.C. – a tough, yet artsy former coal town graced with one of the most amazing harbours on the entire West Coast of North America.

During the debut competition, nearly a thousand people over the span of three nights took in the spectacle! Three evenings filled with rousing, often boisterous entertainment, artistic fineness - and certainly the most provocative feature of this extravaganza - body painting teams competing for prize money and the chance to be in the well-covered spotlight.

We invite you to enjoy some of the unique creations we have had the privilege to showcase in our "Body Gras!™" shows since 2002.

This week-long festival is a mixture of live bands, DJs, dance and the art of body painting. With five or six live acts on during the day, a Ministry Of Sound tent and acts in the Red Bull Academy there should be plenty to choose from before a two hour presentation of some of the best body art in the world.

There are also musical workshops that can teach festival-goers percussion, didgeridoo, how to DJ and much more.

The main days of the festival are from Friday to Sunday, 16-18 July, daily from 10.30 am in the "Bodypaint City". The artists start painting in the public park and later in the day the artwork is judged by a professional jury. The models are then presented to the audience on the main stage. During the day lots of music and show acts are presented. There are music concerts on program till late...

With the recent photos of Michael Phelps’ girlfriend Caroline “Caz” Pal hitting the Internet, I am reminded of the allure of body art on women. In this case I’m not talking so much about permanent body art like tattoos (which also can be nice), but instead the use of body paint. It’s so versatile. You can use it to dress up like your favorite character, pretend like you’re wearing a swimsuit, support the local sports team, advertise, or simply go artistic. There are even competitions around the globe where people compete for prizes.

To the right I picked out one of my favorites, The Invisible Girl. For your viewing pleasure, here are some examples of women of all ages that you might enjoy...

The Steps

1. Buy paints from Mehron, Inc., 45 E. Route 303, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, (914) 268-4106. They have a semi-reasonable brochure and provide some technical support. They can also direct you to dealers.
2. Mehron's "liquid makeup" is water-based and comes off easily, although red stains skin a bit. Plan on using three 4oz. bottles to completely cover a 5'7" tall, 120 lb woman. This stuff tends to be streaky and cracks a bit when it dries. It is also not good if your model sweats. However, if you want a "non-slick" look, it can be pretty effective. Best of all, you can shower it off.
3. The most convenient grease-based makeup from Mehron comes in 0.75oz sticks in dozens of colors (mostly slightly varied flesh tones unfortunately, but also plenty of colors). To use this you first apply it, smooth with a damp sponge, then put on translucent powder with a powder puff, then brush the excess powder off with a powder brush. Mehron sells sponges, powder, and powder puffs. Also, many women use grease-based makeup on their faces and understand this procedure.

Although the powder is supposed to "set" the makeup, I've found that the stuff still tends to rub off. So be careful if the model touches bare skin with painted skin -- you'll get a smudge.

You can take off grease-based makeup with baby oil rubbed into the skin then paper-toweled off (plan on using 1/2 bottle of cheap baby oil plus a whole roll of towels to do an entire body). This is the cheapest method. Also, Mehron sells makeup remover lotion that works a little more easily (use this if you just want to wipe off a smudge or work on the model's face). Finally, you can use some cold cream-type cleanser then regular soap and water. Once again, red stains just a bit. The stain should fade in time, however.

Allegedly, a person will die if his skin is completedly unable to breathe. However, a spot the size of a quarter left unpainted in the small of his back is allegedly enough to prevent this undesirable event in the photo studio. Caveat paintor.
4. If there is a lot of unpainted Caucasian flesh in the picture, stay away from Fujichrome Velvia. I've had good results with EPX (Ektachrome 64X "warmer"). As far as negative film goes, Reala is pretty nice, although Gold 100 and Ektar 25 are probably better (punchier). I've had bad luck scanning Reala onto PhotoCD.

Fantasy Fest Gallery 2002

Stowbery Ass.

Erotic Girl Body Paint.