CYBERJAYA, Aug 12 — Two students pursuing higher education in animation are exploring face painting as a way to broaden their creative skills while earning some extra pocket money.
Bachelor of 2D Animation Production student at Universiti Teknologi MARA Nur Farina Izzatul Daur, 23, said painting on children’s faces opened up a new dimension to her artistic skills, which had previously focused mainly on drawing on paper and digital tablets.
The Sabah-born student said she volunteered to try face painting during her industrial training despite having no prior experience in the field.
“I tried it because I wanted to do something new. If I failed, it would be an opportunity for me to improve, and if I succeeded, it meant I had discovered another ability,” she told Bernama after an exclusive screening of ‘Build-It Blocks’, the latest animated series of streaming platform Durioo+, here recently.
Although the amount she earns from face painting is not substantial, Nur Farina said she is satisfied because the income comes from her own creativity and skills.
She added that she plans to continue doing face painting at selected events or set up her own booth if given the opportunity.
She said butterfly designs are among her favourites, with simple designs taking between five and 10 minutes to complete, while geometric patterns require greater precision, particularly in drawing the lines and shapes.
She added that interacting with children also gives her a sense of fulfilment, especially when she sees how excited and proud they are of their newly painted faces.
Meanwhile, Kolej Vokasional Kluang 3D Animation Diploma student Muhammad Danish Ahlami Imtiaz Alam, 20, said his interest in art, which was nurtured from a young age, encouraged him to try face painting despite initially lacking confidence in his abilities.
“But when I saw how happy people were with my work, I became more confident and wanted to continue,” he said.
He said painting also has a calming effect on him as he can immerse himself fully in creating a design and momentarily forget about his surroundings.
He said simple designs take him about 10 minutes to complete, while more intricate ones can take between 15 and 20 minutes.
“Some of my preferred motifs are flowers, animals, characters, as well as flora and fauna elements. I also let children choose the colours and designs according to their preferences,” he said, adding that the process could indirectly stimulate their imagination.
Muhammad Danish Ahlami said the activity also enables him to gradually hone his skills and creativity, while providing him with some extra pocket money during his industrial training stint.
“When I dared to try, I realised there were actually many more new things I could explore,” he said, adding that he is open to continuing with face painting if opportunities arise in the future. — Bernama
