Black and white are the two most useful face paint colors, and a beginner can do a lot with only those. The easiest designs use a white base with a few bold black shapes: a skull, a mime, a classic clown, a cat, or a simple half-and-half face. Start with designs built from large blocks and thick lines. Leave fine detail and shading until you are comfortable with the paint.
Before you start: safety
- Read the label on your paint and follow its directions, warnings and any age guidance. If none is given, do not assume it is suitable for children.
- Patch test on the inner arm first. Do not use the paint if the skin reacts.
- Keep paint away from the eyes, lash line and lips unless the label says it is suitable for those areas. For designs that darken the eye socket, stop short of the lashes.
- Do not apply to broken or irritated skin, and remove it before sleeping.
Seven beginner designs
| Design | What it involves | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Mime | White base, thin black brows, a vertical line through each eye, small black lips | Easy |
| Simple skull | White base, black around the eye sockets, a black nose shape, lines across the lips for teeth | Easy to medium |
| Half skull | The skull on one side of the face only | Easy |
| Classic clown | White base, black diamonds or triangles above and below the eyes, an outlined smile | Easy |
| Cat | No base needed. Black nose tip, a line to the lip, whisker dots and whiskers, a flick at each eye | Very easy |
| Split face | One half white, one half black, divided down the center | Easy |
| Stitched or cracked doll | White base with black stitch marks or fine crack lines | Medium |
The basic order for any design
- Clean, dry skin. No oils or heavy moisturizer.
- Sketch the layout lightly with a white or nude eye pencil, if you want a guide.
- White first. Pat it on with a sponge in thin layers, leaving bare the areas that will be black.
- Let it dry completely.
- Black second. Use a brush for lines and shapes. Black covers white cleanly, but white will not cover black.
- Clean up edges with a damp cotton bud.
- Set with translucent powder, if you like.
How to do a simple skull
- Apply a white base over the whole face, stopping short of the eye sockets and the tip of the nose.
- Let it dry.
- Paint large black circles or rounded squares around the eyes, following the edge of the bone. Stop before the lashes.
- Paint an upside-down heart or two teardrop shapes on the tip of the nose.
- Draw a thin black line outward from each corner of the mouth, then short vertical lines across the lips and along that line for teeth.
- Add a shadow under each cheekbone by dabbing a little black with a nearly dry sponge and blending upward.
How to do a mime
- Apply a white base, with a clean edge along the jaw and hairline.
- Draw thin, high, arched black brows.
- Draw a short vertical line above and below each eye, centered on the pupil.
- Paint the lips in black, slightly smaller than their natural shape.
- Add a small black teardrop on one cheek, if you like.
A two-color kit
The Uexim black and white face and body paint kit is a paint kit for Halloween, costume parties and creative makeup looks such as clown or classic black-and-white designs. The listing describes the formula as waterproof and long-lasting, with a moisturizing feel, and as suitable for face and body. It gives no age guidance and does not list the kit's contents, so check the product photos and follow the label on the product you receive.
Tips for clean black lines
- Use a small round brush, loaded and rolled to a point.
- Rest your little finger on the face to steady your hand.
- Pull the stroke toward you, and lift off at the end for a tapered line.
- Make thick lines by pressing harder, not by going over them repeatedly.
- Wait for the white to dry, or the black will turn gray.
How do you get gray shading with two colors?
- Mix a little black into white on a clean palette for flat gray.
- Pat a trace of black on with a nearly dry sponge over the dry white, for soft shadow.
- Use gray or black powder eyeshadow over a set base, for the most gradual blend.
Common beginner mistakes
- Black first. You cannot paint white over it.
- Thick layers, which crack and feel heavy.
- One sponge for both colors. Keep them separate.
- Too much detail. Bold, simple shapes read better from a distance.
- Painting up to the lashes.
- No practice run. Try the design on your arm, or do a test the day before.
How do you remove it?
Check the directions for your paint. Water-based paints come off with soap and water. For paints described as waterproof or long-lasting, massage in an oil-based cleanser, cleansing balm or a plain oil first to break the paint down, wipe gently with a soft cloth, then wash with your usual cleanser. Black pigment can leave a gray cast, which a second cleanse usually clears. Moisturize afterward.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest black and white face paint design?
A cat needs only a few black lines. With a base, a mime is the simplest.
Do I apply white or black first?
White first. Let it dry, then add black.
How do I stop the black smudging into the white?
Let each color dry, set the white with powder, and avoid touching your face.
Can I use these paints on my body?
Yes, if the product is described for body use. Patch test first, and expect some transfer onto clothing.
The bottom line
White base in thin layers, let it dry, then bold black shapes. Start with a mime, a cat or a simple skull, and practice once before the event.
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