Hiring Painters Melbourne- An Intro
So, you need to hire a face painter. While the art of face painting is nothing new to the majority of us who've frequented carnivals, fairs, and other events that draw the attention of children, the practice of hiring one for private, intimate affairs like birthday parties is. Previously, such efforts were reserved for those who wanted extravagance and had the money to bring it to even the simplest of get together. In recent years, the face painter has made onto the wish list of many a child with a birthday party looming around the corner... much to bafflement of some of their parents.
As with any entertainer you invite into your private events, hiring a face painter can be a stressful process if you aren't armed with a little basic knowledge and a few insider tricks to help you smooth out the waters. If you take the time to line up your ducks and employ the guidelines below, your little one will be thrilled to have an extra special treat for his/her special day, and you'll have some pretty colourful memories to pat yourself on the back with. Hiring a painter isn't hard. However, it does take a little time if you want to ensure that you get your money's worth. With that said, let's jump right in!Do you want to learn more? Visit ecopaintingservices.com.au.
Timing:
Face painters are the hot thing in party planning nowadays. So much so, that many corporations have begun hiring painters, clowns and other children's entertainers for store openings, family days and customer appreciation events. Why am I telling you this? Because corporations are, for the most part, three steps ahead and often book painters months before their event. What does this mean to you? It means that most established painters have limited availability, particularly when you call them 3 days before your Saturday event. If it is at all humanly possible, nail down the date and location of your event as soon as you can and then start looking for a painter. The more time you give yourself to locate your artist before your event, the better chance you'll have of getting one that knows how to handle your event, which equates to a lower stress level for you!
Finding the Right Painter:
I'm just going to come out and say it: Not all painters are created equally. This isn't a slight, it's a fact, and I'm sorry if some egos are wounded with this declaration. There are several degrees of separation within the face painter ranks and it's important to know something about that if you want to make an informed decision. Firstly, you have your professional face artist/painter vs. hobbyist painter. The professional painter will have a business-like approach to event and everything from the telephone consultation, to follow up conversations and their appearance will reflect that you're dealing with a professional. The hobby/new painter is either just getting started and is working his/her way up to professional status, or is truly someone who just sees face painting as a hobby. You will often pay more for a professional... and you know the saying about getting what you pay for. But anyone can call themselves a professional painter and the client would be none the wiser, so what are some things to expect from a true professional face painter?
-A website complete with information about the artist, service offerings and photos of faces that he/she actually painted. Buyer beware! Some painters "borrow" stock images or watermarked images from other painters. The reason for the warning is that you may not get the quality of painting you thought you were. If in doubt, ask the painter if every face displayed was painted by him/her. Craigslist isn't the necessarily the best place to find a professional painter; however, many pros post ads that link back to their websites on Craigslist to reach a larger customer base.
-A binding contractual agreement that not only details the service you'll be receiving, but assures that the painter you hired will not abandon you at the last moment. The artist may or may not require a retainer payment in order to confirm your booking.
-Professional products. Pros should NEVER use Acrylic, Tempera, Poster, or any paints intended for use in crafting. Craft glitter can be dangerous when used on the skin/face, so true pros opt for cosmetic glitter.
-Appropriate attire that distinguishes him/her from your guests. A suit and tie aren't necessary, but flip flops and shorts are often frowned upon.
-A clean, concise setup. Hygiene is just as important as first impressions and if the first impression is that of a hot mess, you're might want to reconsider.
-A repertoire of designs that the artist can execute efficiently and with expertise. A professional will only present images that he/she has painted and for the most part have those designs committed to memory.
Naturally, there aren't an unlimited supply of professionals and, to be honest, sometimes your budget simply won't allow for one. Yes, it's usually best to hire a professional, but sometimes you just can't. New painters are entering the professional ranks all the time and can still be held to the same high standards that the pros adhere to. Ask the questions and you'll be sure to find a painter able to do an excellent job for you.