Contemporary art is diverse, and body painting is becoming one of the types, which is increasingly occupying a position in the ways of people’s self-expression. The least traumatic and the most aesthetic and artistic is body painting with special paints. But body painting is not limited to drawings only. These are tattoos, piercings, scarring and modifications, that is, the inclusion, implantation of various elements into the body. The cultural direction became more recent, in the 60s of the last century. But it originated in ancient times. What is body painting on the body? Why is it needed, how does it affect people’s self-expression and where is it used?
A little bit of history
In ancient times, our ancestors painted their bodies for camouflage and to blend in with the environment when they went hunting. In some tribes, such art had sacred significance when serving pagan gods and spirits. Among other peoples - to intimidate enemies, attract good luck, and protect against various evil spirits.
Many religious movements to this day use drawings on the skin in preparation for their ceremonies, for example Hindu movements. But in the tribes of Africa, body painting on a naked body means one or another hierarchical position or simply the stages of a boy’s growing up. Tattoos, incisions that turn into scars, can show how resilient a young person is when these operations are performed on him. In other cases it is a special sign of a man and a designation of his functions in the tribe.
Over time, body painting on the body lost its popularity and was later revived in the civilized world, when sailors, sailing on ships, began to talk about the customs and culture of different countries and peoples. This type of art gained particular popularity in the middle of the last century, when it began to take on unusual forms.
Man's body painting
With the development of show business, male body painting on the body is becoming more and more in demand. Theatrical performances, sports competitions, presentation of clothing collections, photo shoots and advertising - this is an incomplete list of events where a representative of the stronger sex can show off the remarkable relief of their muscles. As a powerful advertising weapon with lethal force, body painting on a man’s body rightfully takes its place in shaping the status of leading brands and companies in the fashion world.
Modern body painting
With the advent of various technologies, body painting as an art began to be used in nail painting and championships in hairdressing skills. The flourishing was facilitated by the fact that various informal movements entered the world, for which taboos and some previously imposed stereotypes by society were broken. The body as an object of cult began to be modified by certain subcultures. Creative youth brought a fresh spirit, and this art in its most exaggerated forms has become quite commonplace in everyday life to such an extent that it no longer shocks or even surprises anyone.
There are several different body painting techniques, from the most innocuous to the hardcore. The body is changed by implanting various devices and elements into it, which may carry the symbolism of the subculture to which this or that individual belongs.
Drawing on the body with vegetable paints
The most common technique - painting body parts - involves the use of natural dyes. Body painting is body painting and should not be confused with body painting in general. Drawings on the face, hands, and torso are directly related to arts and crafts, design, makeup, and photography. Even modern psychology offers an unusual technique for correcting the state of mind by drawing masks on the face.
The pattern or ornament of ordinary henna, borrowed from Indian culture, is very beautiful and attractive. The design may look like a simple ligature of leaves on the fingers, hands, and ankles. It is not harmful at all and will wash off in a couple of weeks. Exotic body painting on girls’ bodies looks very beautiful and is attractive to men.
A real work of art is drawings on the body with gouache or makeup, manually or using an airbrush. There is no limit to the artist's imagination. A specialist can express his vision of the world in a wide variety of forms, varying simple and the most unexpected and complex drawings. Unusual painting in soft colors is often ordered by brides on the eve of the wedding. Expectant mothers look very cute before the birth of a baby, who want to capture their condition in a photo shoot and turn to the artist. Body painting on a woman’s body looks especially fun when a balloon or Mickey Mouse is depicted on an already large tummy.
Tattoos
The belief that tattoos are done only by criminals who want to indicate their hierarchical position in places not so remote has long since sunk into oblivion. The complex technique has acquired a more civilized appearance, and now various designs on the body can be seen on both men and the beautiful body of women.
Unlike painting with paints, a tattoo will remain on the skin forever, because a special needle is used here. With small point movements, the master drives paint into the body, injuring the skin. In a specialized salon, a tattoo artist can apply any desired design to the client. At the same time, all precautions and sanitary standards are observed. Recently, masters have achieved high professionalism, imprinting real works of art of high quality on the body.
Piercing
Back in the day, pirates pierced their ears and wore earrings. Until recently, ear decorations were the privilege of only women. Now the fashion for piercing has spread to the stronger sex. They began to make punctures wherever possible: in the nose, eyebrows, lips, navels and even nipples and genitals. This body painting on the body is very reminiscent of customs, but instead of earrings, wooden sticks were inserted.
Scarification, implantation and modification
Perhaps this is the most traumatic type of body painting. But this does not deter at all, and even attracts those clients who want to modify their body. Sometimes this takes the most grotesque and frightening forms. It should be remembered that returning everything to its original form is very difficult, and sometimes impossible.
Scarification is practically an operation during which deep cuts of a selected shape and configuration are applied to the body. After the wounds heal, scars will remain and the desired pattern will appear. This technique requires a person to have great willpower, endurance and patience. Mostly men decide to undergo this procedure. The stereotype that scars are decorative is true here, which is why male body painting on the body remains so popular. One of the subtypes of scarring is branding, when a pattern is burned into the skin with a hot object.
There are no limits to human imagination! Split (cutting the tongue in half), tunnels in the earlobes, changing the upper shape of the ears in the form of a point, like fairy-tale elves, and so on, the list of body modifications can be long. All these are quite painful operations that require special skill.
A very extraordinary body art on the body, which involves the implantation of various implants under the skin, is implantation. The specialist makes a cut and inserts balls, rings made of steel, Teflon or silicone into it. Afterwards, neat stitches are applied, and when everything heals, the objects create the desired pattern. The most exotic implants are “horns” under the scalp, which are made by very brutal men who want to impress others.
Body painting has been around for centuries and is characteristic of various cultures of the Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Popular in India, mehndi, the traditional technique of painting the body with henna, is common even in modern Western cultures.
Since the 1960s, body art has enjoyed a resurgence in the West, but it still struggles to be recognized as an art form, which is disputed by some figures. But this direction has gathered an army of followers and admirers.
Body art is usually associated with nudity, but it does not necessarily involve a completely naked body; painting can be done on selected areas of the skin of a partially clothed model.
To enjoy body art in all its glory, it is best to visit the corresponding festivals. They take place annually around the world, bringing together star body painting artists and lesser-known enthusiasts. The largest body art festival takes place in Austria in the city of Bled. This large-scale event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Similar events are held in different regions of America, Europe and Asia.
How to become a body art artist
We admire the fantastic talent of body painting artists, but it is no secret that anyone can take part. If you prefer to paint rather than be painted, find yourself a model.
First of all, be patient as body art takes a long time. It is believed that six hours is a very short interval for a full body painting.
The main supplies are brushes, sponges, alcohol, a palette, a bottle of water and, of course, body paints, which are sold in specialized stores. They are non-toxic and safe.
Before you start, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to draw. It wouldn't hurt to make a few sketches.
Body painting can be intimidating at first, but in a friendly atmosphere, both artist and model quickly adapt to it. The pressure on the skin should be moderate, but not too light, as it may have a tickling effect. Be sure to tell your model how to remove the paint afterwards. Read the instructions, but one of the best ways to remove the pattern is with dishwashing liquid.
Use floor coverings and avoid paints of any hazard. Finally, clean all supplies and wash your hands.
And for inspiration, check out this selection of 58 beautiful body art images that may inspire you to create your own masterpiece.
Snake
Amazing resemblance to a real snake, but in fact these are human hands.
Frog
One of the most famous body artists, Johannes Stotter, created this tropical frog by painting five people.
Autumn
Another masterpiece by Johannes Stotter.
Urban graffiti on the body
Illusion is common to all body art, as seen in this clever greenery market installation.
Graffiti on a girl.
International Body Painting Festival 2013
Work from the festival, double painting and a true work of art.
Flower Girl
Another photo from last year's international festival.
Photo by Federico Rossi
A wonderful example of expressive body painting.
Body art show
Paintings on the body are used in the theater or to create an original show.
Halloween
Some of the best Halloween costumes come in the form of body art.
Starlight Night
Fine art on the body - body art and Van Gogh.
Camouflage
Body painting can be a great game and camouflage.
Hand painting with henna - mehndi
Traditional technique in India and some Middle Eastern countries.
Body painting in the African tribe
Children of the Ethiopian Surma tribe show off their traditional body paint.
Incredible makeup
Coloring can create incredible effects on the face and body.
Lotus by Trina Merry
Beautiful flower arrangement by artist Trina Merry.
Body painting - hand
Sometimes the body drawing is stunningly realistic.
Not only girls, but also men began to pay attention to the bikini area. An intimate haircut is not the only decoration method.
Various types of body art are becoming more and more popular every year - this type of body care looks more vibrant and unusual. But what is “body art” and what does it look like?
Body art is a simple and affordable way to decorate the bikini area. Types of body art:
- body painting (leg art or body painting);
- tattoos;
- piercing;
- scarring, etc.
To decorate intimate places, painting or tattoos are most often used. Erotic tattoos are applied by people over 18 years of age in order to increase their own attractiveness and sexuality.
Did you know? The most tattooed person in the world is Lucky Diamond Rich. Tattoos adorn his entire body, even the inside of his ears, eyelids, the skin between his fingers and his foreskin.
Of course, to apply the drawing you will have to be naked in front of the master. Men and women who decorate their bodies in this way mean that not only they will see the image. This could be a surprise for your other half, preparation for the beach season, or an image for a photo shoot.
Design of intimate areas
In men's and women's body art, in particular on intimate places, the main thing is the choice of design. Listen to yourself. Perhaps you have the makings of an artist, and you will be able to independently create a sketch of your future creation.
If the design doesn’t work out for you, that’s also not a problem. The Internet, various magazines, catalogs of masters or stencils will help you find a suitable design. Don't forget that you can trust the artist too. A good specialist will recreate an individual drawing depending on your preferences.
All for
Body painting is an absolutely safe art. The model's skin is not damaged during the application of the pattern, so the risk of infection is minimized. Craftsmen usually use hypoallergenic paint.
Tattoo as a type of body art is not inferior in brightness and originality to body painting. Its advantage is the length of time the pattern is worn, which fully justifies the cost of the procedure.
Body art on intimate places, both female and male, gives self-confidence and brings variety to intimate life. Such a work of art will not go unnoticed by your other half.
Everyone is against
When it comes to tattoos, one of the disadvantages is the length of time the image is worn. The drawing you made when you were young will most likely look awkward when you're 40 or older. Tattoos may use ink that causes allergies.
In addition, if you choose an unreliable specialist, you can suffer due to unsterile instruments. It is worth noting that the procedure is painful.
Body painting does not pose such a threat. Its only negative is the price. A good artist is quite expensive, and the design lasts about 3 days or 3 weeks, depending on the paint.
Features of intimate body art
Body art is applied to male and female bodies in the form of decoration of one or another part of them:
- faces;
- and even intimate places.
Body painting is an absolutely safe form. It does not damage the skin, looks bright and beautiful. Body painting is a truly feminine form of body art.
Men tend to be more decisive and prefer tattoos. They don't wash off after a week. It is very difficult to remove a tattoo from an intimate place. But applying it is not a pleasant thing.
More often the choice falls on a less painful type of body art - body painting.
Important! Choose your professional carefully.
Please note:
- what paints the artist uses, because the duration of wearing the design on the body depends on this;
- does he have all the necessary consumables (alcohol lotion, cream, fixative, etc.).
How to choose paints
Several types of paint are used for body art:
- Henna lasts on the skin for about 3 weeks. Previously, it was presented only in brown and red colors. At the moment, the range has expanded significantly. Natural henna is brown in color. Sometimes manufacturers add herbs to it to make the color of the paint darker or copper. Henna-based dyes come in different colors: from orange to purple.
- Glitter is a dye without henna. It contains only glitter and special glue. Manufacturers produce the mixture in cones or tubes, but it is also possible to buy both substances separately. In this case, the design is created with glue and sprinkled with glitter. This tattoo is worn for up to 2 weeks.
- Makeup is also used for body painting. With its help you can create bright and rich drawings. The main difficulty is fixation. It doesn't hold up well and is only suitable for a photo shoot.
- Face painting, with the help of which multicolor drawings are drawn with transitions, shading, clear graphics, etc., is characterized by elasticity. It does not crack, has a bright and rich color range. The paints dry quickly and do not have an allergic effect. Without using a fixative, the pattern will wash off with the first shower. The lock protects the image. The wearing period of such a creation is still insignificant.
- Paints for an airbrush, which sprays material using compressed air. These paints include acrylic and liquid face painting. The first is water-based and strongly tightens the skin.
- Alcohol paints are used to paint over tattoos, create special effects and drawings. They are activated in the same way as they are removed - with the help of alcohol. The main advantage is that the paints are not washed off with water. But remember that alcohol dries out the skin.
- Gouache is a material for beginning artists. She fits well. The layers of paint do not mix if they have time to dry. The main disadvantage is that the pattern cracks when completely dry. To avoid this, add Vaseline, glycerin or shampoo to your paints. This will give the gouache elasticity. Wearing time - 1 day.
- Body art pencil does not require additional purchase of brushes. It lasts about 3 days, and with a fixative - a week.
- A tattoo pen is very similar to a pencil: bright, rich color. This pattern is worn for about 3 days. Comes off in spots.
What else will you need?
Depending on the paint you may need:
- various brushes (thick, powder, etc.);
- sponge;
- sample;
- airbrush
Some paints can also be applied with your fingers. If you intend to decorate the design with rhinestones, then you will additionally need to purchase stones and special glue or self-adhesive bindis.
Did you know? One of the first tattoos was done back in 3255 BC, as confirmed by the mummy of Otzi.
For liquid consumables, you will definitely need an alcohol solution. To extend the wear of the design, use a fixative or hairspray.
Skin preparation
The skin should be prepared before applying body art. Be sure to remove hair from the area where the design will be applied. Depending on the paint, the “canvas” is either degreased with a lotion containing alcohol (alcohol-based paints) or moistened with a cream. Before applying the paint, the cream must be absorbed into the skin.
Creating a drawing
In body art, the main thing is the idea. You can choose a drawing yourself from the artist’s catalog or online resources, or you can trust the artist.
After preparing the skin, the master must treat the tools and hands. Next, prepare paints and stencils, if needed. For example, gouache is diluted with shampoo, petroleum jelly or glycerin, liquid face painting is opened and placed in an airbrush, etc. After this, you can begin application.
If the drawing is done in gouache, then each layer of paint is dried naturally or with a hairdryer so that the layers do not mix with each other.
Important! The final image must be completely dry.
After applying the image, experienced craftsmen cover the drawings with special fixatives in the form of sprays.
Erotic body art is not only a beautiful picture, but also one of the elements of your self-confidence. It can be a piece of art, some kind of cartoon, a scary image, or whatever you want. If you are still in doubt, just look at examples of how body art looks great even on private parts.
Examples of body art on male and female bodies in intimate places
Body painting looks original and bright on both men and women. The following photos are recommended for viewing by persons over 18 years of age.
Body art is one of the most accessible forms of art for decorating intimate areas. It gives self-confidence, sexual attractiveness and helps to relax. This method is almost absolutely safe for health, but it all depends on the paint and the artist. Be careful when choosing a salon and artist.
