body painting
Flesh as canvas
Body painting is the art of applying paint, pigment, or other decorative materials directly to human skin.
It ranges from full-body artistic works displayed at festivals and competitions to face painting at children's parties.
Unlike tattoos, body paint is temporary.
The practice appears in indigenous rituals, theatrical performance, and contemporary art: The models stood motionless while artists transformed them into living canvases.
Color-imparting material
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- airbrushCompressed-air paint sprayer
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
- designPurposeful creative planning
freehand · shading · blending · detail · composition · portrait · abstract · realism
Color-imparting material
- brushBristled cleaning tool
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
- airbrushCompressed-air paint sprayer
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
sealant · setting spray · adhesive · prosthetic · latex · silicone · non-toxic · hypoallergenic
Relating to formal rites
- tribalOf a clan
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- shamanicOf spirit-world intermediaries
spiritual · sacred · indigenous · traditional · cultural · heritage · henna · mehndi
Plant-derived body dye
- mehndiOrnamental paste skin designs
- transferMove between locations
- removableCapable of being detached
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
short-term · event · party · sports fan · team colors · flag · logo · mascot
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- transformationThorough change in form
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
camouflage · optical illusion · living statue · mime · drag · cosplay · festival · rave
Body's outer layer
- torsoBody without limbs
- limbsBody's major appendages
- backReverse side; support
- faceHead's anterior surface
chest · arms · legs · hands · nude · figure · anatomy · contour
Decorative metallic flecks
- rhinestonesImitation diamond crystals
- gemsCut precious stones
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
gold leaf · adornment · embellishment · ornamentation · pattern · motif · swirls · florals
pigment
Color-imparting material
design · freehand · shading · blending · detail · composition · portrait · abstract · realism · surrealism
pigment
Color-imparting material
stencil · sealant · setting spray · adhesive · prosthetic · latex · silicone · non-toxic · hypoallergenic · water-based
ceremonial
Relating to formal rites
- tribalOf a clan
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- ancestralOf one's forebears
shamanic · spiritual · sacred · indigenous · traditional · cultural · heritage · henna · mehndi · ochre
henna
Plant-derived body dye
ephemeral · short-term · event · party · sports fan · team colors · flag · logo · mascot · game day
theatrical
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- transformationThorough change in form
illusion · camouflage · optical illusion · living statue · mime · drag · cosplay · festival · rave · concert
skin
Body's outer layer
face · chest · arms · legs · hands · nude · figure · anatomy · contour · flesh
glitter
Decorative metallic flecks
- rhinestonesImitation diamond crystals
- gemsCut precious stones
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
metallic · gold leaf · adornment · embellishment · ornamentation · pattern · motif · swirls · florals · geometric
- Aboriginal artDreamtime, rock art, ochre, songlines, hand stencils
- Amazonian tribesGuarani, Amazon tribes, rainforest tribes, tribal chiefs, tribal elders
- Aboriginal culturessonglines, didgeridoo, boomerangs, rock art, Rainbow Serpent
- erotic arterotic art, nude sculpture, artistic nude, classical nude, pin-up art
- Omo tribesscarification, stick fighting, ear plugs, ritual combat
- Tupi culturetribal chiefs, longhouses, tribal rituals, ceremonial dances, warrior culture
body paintingtattooing
Injecting pigment under skin
tattoo · scarification · branding · subdermal implants · permanent makeup
body paintingcanvas painting
Art on stretched fabric
easel painting · wall painting · mural · oil painting · fresco
body, paint, painting, painter, paints, face painting, body paint