homemade body paint...that lasts?

[joko]

i have been asked to help on a photoshoot, that involves airbrushing over hundred models...however pro airbrush paints can cost extremely high amounts (around £30-40 a bottle if lucky)

so the models have agreed for me to try to come up with a homemade version as long as its safe and washes off.

it needs to last a wee while under the conditions...

any ideas of what i could use...as long as its safe to go on skin it can be used

for colour i thought ordinary food colouring, but for mixer - you can make a concoction using cornstarch glycerine vinegar and baking powder but its not lasting unless you spray with hairspray...so i was considering watery PVA glue or that clear kids glue ...so once dry they will last but wash off easily...

or maybe something i can spray over the top for a fixer that isnt hairspray...

any other ideas?

cheers

[rowanwitch]

food colouring dyes the skin and takes ages to wash out pva oncedry is waterproof so won't wash out body paint is the only safe thing to use because it is the only thing that cleans off without leavng residues sorry I don't think you are going to be able to cut corners here... I still have pink fingers from mixing icing three days ago

[joko]

its ok if it stains, we have discussed thats ok. plus is only really properly stains certain skin like hands and feet, elbows etc because its a different type of skin, we protect those areas with a very fine layer of vaseline...i wont stain your arm etc though...

pva is certainly not remotely waterproof when its dry...it dries very hard but water will make it white and stick again almost straight away.
kids use it in schools for that reason...

cheers though

also airbrush body paint doesnt wash of easily anyway. the waterbased hard stuff does but thats no use here.

[evil__sheep]

personally i would be very careful - you don't know what reactions people might get. I personally wouldn't want to be sprayed all over with glue.
what does the person who is paying for the body paint think?

[joko]

this is why i am looking for non toxic, hypoallergenic kids products...specially formulated to be totally safe for kids...its a lot nicer that other glues applied to models skin...like latex, wig an hair adhesives, spirit gum, toupee tape, eyelash glue, makeup fixatives, diamante adhesives etc...

[TonyV]

You are taking a huge risk mixing your own paints, I would advise you to buy the proper ones - who is funding the models?

[joko]

what 'huge' risks tony? ... there is nothing i would use that has not been on the skin of millions of people, so not sure why the drama here...

we use all sorts of stuff for films and shoots...just because it hasnt come in a tub called 'skin paint' or something doesnt make it dangerous!

[evil__sheep]

i think i would also see it as a risk, although i am not really sure why - perhaps lingering fears over a "goldfinger" type of situation :)

[Quassia]

I too think it's risky joko.

[Quassia]

What kind of photo shoot is it joko?

[ChuckFickens]

"just because it hasnt come in a tub called 'skin paint' or something doesnt make it dangerous!"

No, but it does make you 100% liable if there is any problems.

[joko]

lol evil sheep, that was a myth.

the models sign disclaimers, and i am insured anyway

all sounds a bit like knee jerk reactions to me... you dont seem to be looking at the facts....just thinking ook elf n safety etc - people have done it for years with no problems...besides, most of the ingredients are edible!

[Wrongn3mber]

Joko I also found this weird that you asked for a advice and instead got a barrage of health and safety concerns instead of constructive answers? Have H&S finally got to everyone on the net? lol.
A youtube video showed the use of gelatine in edible body paint but not sure whether you're going that route joko?

[joko]

cheers wrong3number...happens a lot on here... i hadnt really thought of gelatine, only use it in 3d pieces usually...not sure if itd be much cheaper but worth looking into...

[joko]

do you have a link to that one wrong3umber? thanks

[Wrongn3mber]

This is the link joko.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIpmWgLYKng