World Body Painting Festival

Colors fly in a weeklong event known as the Mecca for body painting. A quaint Austrian town plays host as artists from around the world come to feast their eyes on the wonders of nature and all who are naturally painted.

The picturesque village of Seeboden provides an idyllic setting for the World Body Painting Festival. Thousands travel here to welcome this innovation in art. Of course, not all art hangs on the wall. Posing as a unique canvas, the models transform into living breathing works of art.

The human body has served as a unique canvas by people all over the world, since the beginning of man. From make up to tattoos, every culture in history has painted and adorned themselves in celebration. Body painting combines the art of painting and the individual form.

The World Body Painting festival draws a crowd of 15,000 spectators, 250 models and more than 150 artisans each expressing their individual creativity. Award-winning artists from around the globe gather to compete for the title of World Champion Bodypainter.

Lake Millstatt provides the scenic European backdrop for the eccentric models during the five-day contest. With each year comes a new theme, this year's; myths and fairytales and water. The models are painted to match the theme both erotically and aesthetically. Watching paint dry takes on new meaning as we observe the various methods of painting. Three categories will be rewarded: brush/sponge, airbrush, and special effects. Creating living breathing art takes patience and skilled concentration. At the end of each day the painted models stroll down a catwalk amidst hungry photographers clamoring for the best snapshot. There is big money at stake for the top three photos and prestige for the award-winning artists.

We meet Alex Barendregt, who in 1998, organized the first bodypainting festival to bring tourism back to his small village. We talk with Bernd Rantscheff, an award-winning artist by way of Star Trek and the Grinch movies. A native Austrian, Bernd will sit on the judging panel. Through his eyes, we'll see what it's like to critique the vibrant performances. Bernd will share his thoughts on the event and explain how body paint and special effects have changed over the years. During the week we'll meet several artists from various countries who have learned to earn a living creating body art.

We meet the mayor, or Burgermeister, of the town as he explains this new Austrian tradition. We follow several artists through three days of competition as they battle for the chance to become the World Body Painting Champion. The first day is nerve-wracking for the artists as they race with the clock to complete their paintings. Clouds form over the second day's events and Alex, the coordinator wonders if the event will be a total wash. The third day shines a light on the winners of the competition. The judging is tough as the perfomances are brilliant. The announcer declares the winner of this year's Body Painting Champion. The crowd of 15,000 goes crazy, as the Champion is crowned and the fireworks show begins.

Full Color Body Painting Designs

The Sexy body painting

Body Painting - The Intricacies

The origin of body painting is unknown, but its use has been widespread - sometimes as an art form, sometimes as a part of tradition, and the other times, as a necessity. The evidence of body painting is found in ancient practices across various cultures and remains a popular fashion statement in the present times. There is no set style or technique for body painting. It can be a localized design or a fuller one, covering the entire body in some cases. The color pigments used can be natural or synthetic. Similarly, it can be a work of an expert or an amateurish hand of a novice. However, unlike permanent tattoos, body paints are temporary or semi-permanent in nature.

The Geographical Spread

Painting the body was prevalent in ancient Egyptian civilization, where Pharaohs and high-class individuals painted their faces in red ochre & white pigments, and eyes in kohl. The Himba group of Namibia also generously uses red ochre. These people paint their entire bodies in the uniform pigment, as a traditional practice. In India, body painting is an elaborate work of expertise, which requires training and a lot of experience. One of the best examples of this art is the make-up of Kathakali dancers that involves the use of white, red, black, and yellow colors against a base of bottle green color, on face.

The use of 'henna,' a natural plant extract, is very popular among the Indian women across the country and is again, done by trained experts. Henna is used for decorating the hands and feet in beautiful, complex designs. Native Americans use streaks, concentric circles, and other patterns of colors, which include red, white, yellow, blue, and black. The indigenous Yolngu people of Australia use detailed and painstaking technique to embellish their bodies. It is an inspiration for many other art forms and a job that only the experts can do.

Painted faces have been a trademark of comedians and mimics, throughout the history of performing arts. Body painting has found as much use in military operations, as in local communities. Facial colors, particularly in nature tones are heavily employed as camouflage by almost all armies in the world. Now days, this art has become a fad, especially among the youth and is treated more as an avant-garde fashion accessory, rather than as a religious belief. Across the US and Europe, body painting is used in theatre, cinema, fashion, carnivals, and body painting festivals. Despite facing criticism and rejection from various corners, this art continued to grow and is still evolving!

Body Painting Designs

Body Painting Designs

Body Painting And Makeup

strange body art, body painting and makeup. This is the simplest and most common type of body art. There are thousands of events for the body to be painted. Whether you're cheering your team or simply watch the parade live body painting makes you look perfect. People want their body painting and makeup for many reasons, including portraying the thoughts and feelings, or simply to express their creativity. Process of body painting and makeup is a skill that takes years to master. Many people paint their bodies just for fun. Clown make-up and painting to be unique and fun. In addition, others want to body painting, make them seem special and exceptional.

body painting and makeup requires a special variety of cosmetics and paint. These are readily available online from many websites. Remember to use the right product, which is approved by the FDA. Get your body painted the first step is to imagine that you want to paint the body. Have a better idea to paint it so that it is easier for a professional painter to paint the body with ease. While most people prefer to paint their face and chest, but some people want their bodies completely painted. The next step is to get the right products for the cosmetics and body painting and makeup.

Body Paint japanese Girl World Cup 2010

Body Paint japanese Girl World Cup 2010 Photos