What, why, who of Fine art body painting commissions

HOW TO GET YOUR OWN FINE ART BODY PAINTING?  

After releasing my latest artwork "Our vow" and the making-of video of the project, I've received a few emails asking how one can book a commission body painting with me. So I decided to write a little guide on how the process works and how to get your own unique artwork on your wall. If you still have questions after reading this, don't hesitate to contact me. You can leave a comment below and I will answer you the best way I can. ​

What is fine art body painting?

Fine art body painting is a beautiful contemporary art form that allows body painting to reach another level from its traditional form as performance art. With a combination of a human body, painting and photography I create long-lasting artworks to be displayed on the wall. These pieces are eye-catching and fascinating as very often it is hard to recognise a human body in them

Lift | Body painting & photo: Riina Laine

Our vow/ Lupauksemme | Body painting & photo: Riina Laine

Why is it so special? Why would you order a custom-design artwork of yourself?

Artwork that is created for you with body painting and photography is very personal. It offers you a unique experience of being painted but as a result also a piece of art in your home that has a deeper meaning to you, not to mention the effect it has on your guests - fine art body painting is a definite talking point! 
 
This kind of artwork can tell your story in an empowering way. Being body painted is liberating and It increases your self-acceptance and the appreciation towards yourself -  "My body is part of this beautiful piece of art". There is a great amount of inner value in an artwork like this, as it is a memorable and one-of-a-kind piece designed just for you.

Who is it for?

For anybody. Being body painted is an experience I recommend to anyone. It should be on everyone's bucket list! Getting your own fine art piece as a result of it is a fantastic present for yourself, your spouse, your family. You can model on your own or together with someone. Fine art body painting would make a great gift for a wedding, for a birthday, for a baby shower for a mother-to-be or it can be just a fabulous experience you can give to yourself. ​

Is the whole body always painted or can it be just a part of the body?

The artwork can be designed so that it incorporates the whole body or just part of it (face, back, feet...) For example for Take my hand I painted the hands of mother Hanne and their 4-month old baby Mimosa. ​

Take my hand | Body painting & photo: Riina Laine

What kind of paints are used? Are they safe for the skin?

I use ONLY professional, usually water-based paint that’s designed to be used on the skin. The paints I use are make-up and gentle on the skin. They are non-toxic and suitable for children too.  The paint washes off with soap and water or make-up remover. ​

What is the process like? How is the fine art body painting created?

After you've contacted me we will go through the specifics on what kind of piece you would like, who is being painted, where the final print will be placed etc. We will discuss on the phone first and then we'll schedule a face-to-face meeting at your place. This way I get to know you a little bit and see the surroundings of the final print.  We can discuss the colours and the size of the artwork and other details, and of course your story, the "why". You will have a chance to give your ideas to the painting and then I will create it with my interpretation according to your wishes.

The painting takes one day and is usually done in my home studio in Helsinki. We can also arrange it on your choice of location. The day is of course exciting, but also relaxing and it gives you a good time to forget everything else and just focus on yourself. There will be just me and you present, and if you wish, also a videographer to capture the process - a making-of video of the session is a great keepsake for yourself and also a perfect way to explain to your friends how the whole piece was created. You'd be surprised how fascinating people find it! :)

After the actual painting, I will start working on the final piece for the print. This takes some time as I want to make sure I pick the right image, with the right emotion so that the end-result will be nothing but amazing. Once the piece is done, I will show you the raw version of it before taking it forward to be printed. This is the exciting part as you will get a glimpse of what the final artwork is going to be like. Even when you've seen some pictures from the camera during the painting session, the final image is usually unexpected and surprising. The word I hear most often is just WOW. ​

Path | From Wonder Women - The WAU Project | Body painting & photo: Riina Laine

How much does it cost?

The price of the fine art commission depends on the type of piece we are creating, how many people are painted, what the painting is like, how much time the project takes, what kind of material the image is printed on etc. Fine art body painting piece is always custom-designed for the client and of the highest quality. Do not hesitate to contact me and request for a quote, I always try to come up with an option to accomodate your needs and your budget.

If you would like to have a unique, custom-design artwork created on you and with you, contact me with your ideas and wishes!

Have a look at my fine art pieces in the Gallery and check out this Behind-the-scenes video of 'Our vow'  below to see how these body painting pieces are created.