One of the best examples of this art is the make-up of Kathakali dancers that involves the use of white, red, black, and yellow colors against a base of bottle green color, on face. In India, body painting is an elaborate work of expertise, which requires training and a lot of experience. These people paint their entire bodies in the uniform pigment, as a traditional practice.
The Himba group of Namibia also generously uses red ochre. The Geographical Spread Painting the body was prevalent in ancient Egyptian civilization, where Pharaohs and high-class individuals painted their faces in red ochre & white pigments, and eyes in kohl. However, unlike permanent tattoos, body paints are temporary or semi-permanent in nature. Similarly, it can be a work of an expert or an amateurish hand of a novice. The color pigments used can be natural or synthetic.
It can be a localized design or a fuller one, covering the entire body in some cases. There is no set style or technique for body painting. The evidence of body painting is found in ancient practices across various cultures and remains a popular fashion statement in the present times. The origin of body painting is unknown, but its use has been widespread - sometimes as an art form, sometimes as a part of tradition, and the other times, as a necessity.
The Himba group of Namibia also generously uses red ochre. The Geographical Spread Painting the body was prevalent in ancient Egyptian civilization, where Pharaohs and high-class individuals painted their faces in red ochre & white pigments, and eyes in kohl. However, unlike permanent tattoos, body paints are temporary or semi-permanent in nature. Similarly, it can be a work of an expert or an amateurish hand of a novice. The color pigments used can be natural or synthetic.
It can be a localized design or a fuller one, covering the entire body in some cases. There is no set style or technique for body painting. The evidence of body painting is found in ancient practices across various cultures and remains a popular fashion statement in the present times. The origin of body painting is unknown, but its use has been widespread - sometimes as an art form, sometimes as a part of tradition, and the other times, as a necessity.
