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Painting - Introduction
Face and body painting is used by many cultures around the world.
As painting
is temporary, it can be used to commemorate a special occasion
or allow a person to take on a short term identity. Native
Americans were skilled face painters. They used it as camouflage
during hunting, to appear fierce and brave in battle, during
sporting competitions and while mourning the dead. Face painting
can also be seen during modern sporting events such as football
matches where the face is painted in the colours of the team
being supported.
Many societies use clay or natural pigments to colour the
skin. For centuries body paints have been made by grinding
coloured stone, clays and plants then mixing them with vegetable
or animal fats. The roots of a plant may also be used as
well as the leaves which are boiled, dried and crushed into
powder ready to mix with oil. Modern cosmetics such as eyeliner
and lipstick are made from a mixture of natural and synthetic
products.
