How to Make Airbrush Stage Makeup
Airbrush paint is used widely in theater, movies, television and stage scenery. It can be produced in large amounts for any of these purposes, but if it is airbrush makeup that is going on the bodies or faces of people, it is important to make sure it is nontoxic. The main things to look for in your paint is the viscosity and the proportions of additives. You can create several colors from mixing your own paint.
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Things You'll Need
- Small airbrush gun and container Detailing tools Various colors of food dye Powdered mica in various colors Jars of concealer in different shades Cotton swabs Paper towels Several storage jars Large bowl or vat Can of hairspray (optional) For one gallon of paint: 2 cups baking soda 4 cups corn starch 4 cups vinegar 1/2 cup glycerin 1 cup water, or less
Instructions
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Select the colors you want to create for the airbrush paint. You can create numerous colors by using food dyes straight out of the container or by mixing them.
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Start to mix the ingredients. To provide makeup for a handful of people's faces, one gallon of paint will be suitable. Combine the baking soda and vinegar, and let the mixture sit.
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Add the cornstarch and glycerin after a couple of minutes of the baking soda and vinegar thickening. Mix the makeup until it is smooth and has no lumps or pockets of air.
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Add the water slowly to the mixture to thin it out to the desired consistency for your project. For thinner stage makeup that will be airbrushed on scenery and bodies, add more water. For thicker stage makeup that will be airbrushed on faces for masks or alterations, add less water. Stir thoroughly. The paint will have a watercolor effect in thinner consistencies and an acrylic-paint effect in thicker consistencies.
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Separate the stage makeup into different containers if you are making several colors. Add the food coloring drop by drop until reaching the shade and color you desire. For more delicate stage makeup, add actual makeup pigments, such as a jar of concealer to one container, or mica powder to another for eyes and lips. Mica powder can be purchased at many craft stores.
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Pour the stage makeup into the airbrush gun and experiment with the consistency on paper, a wall or a human model. Use detailing tools to help you shape designs and themes. To extend the life of paint on a human body, cover the airbrushed makeup with hairspray once finished painting. It will help deal with sweat, body heat and movement.
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Store the airbrush stage makeup in jars with lids when not using. When finished, make sure to thoroughly clean out the airbrush device for proper application next time you use it.
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Tips & Warnings
Always be cautious when working with makeup around the lips and eyes.
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Comments
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opencircus
May 20, 2010
i have a problem with the base mixture of the airbrushing paint. the baking soda and vinegar never actually homogenize. they separate when left for a few minutes. after adding cornstarch the same problem occurs. it initially thickens and then separates.... never reaching a low enough level of viscosity to require any thinning at all. i havent let it sit overnight by i would imagine that the end result, with pigment added will not produce a very vibrant color, regardless of the pigmentation methods used.... if you have any suggestions for where i might be going wrong, please reply. -
opencircus
May 20, 2010
i have a problem with the base mixture of the airbrushing paint. the baking soda and vinegar never actually homogenize. they separate when left for a few minutes. after adding cornstarch the same problem occurs. it initially thickens and then separates.... never reaching a low enough level of viscosity to require any thinning at all. i havent let it sit overnight by i would imagine that the end result, with pigment added will not produce a very vibrant color, regardless of the pigmentation methods used.... if you have any suggestions for where i might be going wrong, please reply.
