Dublin Body Paint

Welcome to the Dublin Body Paint. We are a one stop shop for all your body painting needs. We are available for photoshoots, private appointment, events, parties - you name it!

Our main focus is getting you to join us to body paint! So we run training courses, and practice (jam) sessions. We also sell everything you might need to get yourself started.

At our body painting jams, we will match up artists and models for a day of body painting. Photographers are invited to join us to capture this transient art form on the day.

Whether you fancy picking up a brush for the first time since the Junior Cert, or are a seasoned professional, want to strip down to your birthday suit or keep completely covered up - you are welcome to join in.

Everyone will pay a fee to cover the cost of the room, heating, tea, cake etc. €20, or €15 for unwaged people. We will start at 10am an paint until about 4pm. Then we'll get a group photo and some individual shots before wrapping up. If you would like to join in, and not be involved in any of the photos - that's absolutely fine! No one will ever pressure any artist into anything they don't feel comfortable with.

You don't need to be a 'model' to become a model for the day. This is a celebration of the body, in a non-judgemental and safe environment. You are beautiful just as you are, and we would like to invite you to create some art as part of our new community.

Q Can I come and watch?
No. This is not a spectator sport. If your name is not on the list then you’re not getting in. Our door man is under strict instructions.

Q Will everyone be running around in the nip?
Well, they won’t be running… but yes some people will be naked.

Q How much will it cost to participate?
€20 each, or €15 for anyone unwaged.

Q Why should I have to pay?? You should be paying me!!
This isn’t a commercial gig. We’re all just here to do a bit of art in an open, supportive and creative environment. We’ll be chatting, hanging out during breaks, and generally having an all-round fun day. It’s an opportunity to meet new contacts and make new friends in this emerging industry.

Q Is there an age limit?
Yes. Everyone must be over 18.

Q 10am is very early. Will there be coffee?
Yes. There'll be tea, and coffee, and cake, and fruit, and yogurt, and orange juice and lots of things to snack on throughout the day.

Q Cake you say...
Yes. Always plenty of cake.

Q I don't have a Facebook account. Is that ok?
As long as your email address is linked to a public profile of some kind to confirm your identity then we're laughing. You'll miss out on seeing all the photos from the jam though, but that's your decision.

Q I don't have an email address, so how can I register?
You need an email address, otherwise how will I send you the pictures afterwards? If you insist, then I will have to charge you double. No I'm not joking. I have zero interest in having anyone show up with an ulterior motive, or using a fake name - and running a background check on your email address/Facebook profile is the easiest way to do this.

Q I've never body painted before, but I'd love to try it out. Can I still come?
Of course! This is a great place to try it out for the first time. There's no pressure, so you can take your time and work at your own pace. Try out some new techniques , or just wing it and have a bit of an ol' paint.

Q Will the paint be provided?
Everyone should bring their own materials.

Q I'm new. What should I bring?
The first time, you'll no doubt bring the kitchen sink. Not a problem since we have loads of room.

Q What kind of paint should I use, and where can I buy it?
Anything designed for use on the skin, so make up and face paint are good. Acrylic paint is very bad. Christine from FaceFX makeup supplies will be there for the day selling anything you may need or have forgotten. Snazaroo paint is the most readily available, and it lasts a long time. In my humble opinion, Wolfe FX black and white are the best. You'll get far better coverage with them, and they're actually easier to use. There are a lot of other brands out there too like Cameleon, Paradise, Party Xplosion, and Krylon, to name but a few. Everyone has their own preference, so try some different ones out and see which ones you like.

Q I don't have an airbrush, is that ok?
No problem. I don't have one either. 90% of the people here use brush and sponge.

Q I have an airbrush, is that ok?
No problem. There are plenty of plugs around the room. You might want to bring an extension cord just in case though.

Q I simply cannot paint another body, my muse is my one and only true inspiration, without whom I could not lift a brush.
Congratulations on finding that person to inspire you. Just let us know that you won't be needing a model on the day.

Q I'm a married woman, I'm not painting a naked man who isn't my husband!
Not a problem. Everyone will be asked for a gender preference for their and how strongly they feel about it. You can be matched up with a woman. Alternatively, why not get your husband to model for you?

Q Do I have to be naked?
Not at all! Do whatever you feel comfortable with. Seriously, don't feel pressured into anything. Keep in mind though, no one is there to judge you. Anyone acting inappropriately will be asked to leave. And seriously, after the first few hours you won't even notice the naked bodies, only the art and beauty.

Q Can I be naked?
Yes you can.

Q So if I'm not naked what will I wear?
We'd recommend a white or flesh coloured cotton thong/g-string. Wear briefs or boxers if it would make you more comfortable. If you get to talk to the artist you'll be paired up with before the event, lead with this discussion. Some artists like to make a feature out of your underwear, work it into the design, or get a wig in a matching colour. If in doubt bring a few options, perhaps including your favourite pair. Because who doesn't feel like a million dollars in that special pair of pants?

Q I smoke regularly. Will I be standing on the street in the nip in order to do so?
Luckily - no. We will have the use of a private smoking area.

Q Does the paint wash off easily?
Sometimes. Some colours can stain. They mostly wash off, but I'm not going to lie - it's not an exact science. I wouldn't plan your wedding the following day or the photoshoot for your swimsuit calendar. The blues and blacks are pretty bad, but the glitter can be the worst. You may be sweating glitter for a few days.Or you may be fine.

Q Will it be cold - I may not be wearing pants...
Sometimes - it depends where you're standing, and the time of year. The room has lots of heaters, which help a lot. At the last jam we had to turn the heating off because it was too warm. There can be some draughts if you're near a door. I'd recommend wearing a woolly hat to keep the heat in and wearing thick socks. If you have a hot water bottle, you should bring that too.

Q Do I need to bring anything else?
You should maybe bring a robe for when you're taking breaks as the cafe is next to the door to the smoking area.

Q What do I need to bring?
I'd recommend you bring a camera. Camera phones don't count. Other than that, bring what ever equipment you need. We don't have many extension cords, so don't forget to bring them.

Q What kind of shots can I expect?
We'll be taking a group shot at 4pm, and you can take portraits before and after that, depending on who finishes early.

Q Do you have any backdrops or lighting?
I have a camera phone, so I won't insult you by pretending I know anything about photography.
What ever you want to use, you should bring. If you would like me to put you in touch with some of the other photographers to see what they're bringing I can. The walls in the room are white, and there's a few interesting spots around the room to take pics.

Q Is there space for my backdrop setup?
Yes there's an area in the back corner where you can set up.

Q Can I put the pictures up on Facebook?
Some yes, some no. Not everyone there on the day will want their photos used afterwards. They are always in the minority though, so you'll still get a huge number of photos to share publicly.

Q How will I know who's photo I can/can't use?
I'll send you a list of the pairings with everyone's name spelled correctly, a physical description, and whether they want their name on the photos. A lot of the models don't want to be tagged, so if you can use that as your go-to status.

Q Can I put the pictures of someone who doesn't want them up if I cut their head off/only show them from the back/blur their face?
Absolutely not. You are literally putting naked pictures of someone online. If they don't want you to do that, then you shouldn't.

Caitríona Giblin a Dublin based body painter and makeup artist. Beginning in the beauty biz as a humble Avon lady by night, she eventually quit the day job after a decade as a hobbyist and went pro. Caitríona runs Dublin Body Paint and works tirelessly to build body painting community in Ireland. She has worked with some of the biggest corporate names such as Disney, Facebook, IMMA, Electric Picnic, and has worked abroad in Ibiza and Amsterdam. This year will see the start of the Irish Body Painting Festival with Caitríona at the helm, and will bring international stars from the world of body painting to Dublin to entice more artists to try their hand in this beautiful art form.

The Dublin Body Painting Jam group was founded in 2014, as a sister group to the Camden Palace World Naked Bike Ride body painting community, based in Cork City. They have created an open and nurturing environment for creativity and self expression. Since then the Dublin body painting community has evolved it's own identity and continued to grow.