Liquid Latex Body Painting by Rae Schwarz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

A new twist on the age-old practice of body painting is doing it with a liquid latex material. This simple rubber compound is a fluid medium that is painted on the skin and then dries. By building up layers, whole outfits can be made and worn out in public. This unique material is popular for painted-on costuming effects in the movies, music videos and in the fetish dance club scene.

An episode of the tv show CSI, “Slaves of Las Vegas,” featured liquid latex found at the scene of a fetish-oriented murder. The perpetrator had painted all over his victim and the sticky black rubber film was utilized by the crime investigators to connect the victim and crime scene, as well as identify a piece of key evidence. Happily the non-fictional use of this easy and fun material is much more innocuous but just as dramatic.

Getting Ready

The first concern of working with liquid latex is latex sensitivity. Patch test your model to check for product reaction. Anyone with a known latex allergy should avoid any and all contact with liquid latex. Paint a small area on an arm or leg of the model. Wear the latex for several hours, then remove it and see if there is any reddening, irritation or undue skin sensation in the hours after that. A slight itching may be normal when the skin begins to breathe under the latex, but if there is a persistent, uncomfortable sensation, stop and do not use this product.

Another concern is that liquid latex can be absorbed into anything made of cloth or with a fabric surface. Put down some sort of plastic tarp or drop cloth in the painting area, or make sure you are over something non-absorbent like tile. As the painter, wear old or protective clothing.

Make sure the area in which you will be working is warm, as the evaporation as the latex dries can chill the model slightly. Liquid latex contains a small amount of ammonia. Open the container and let it vent for a few minutes before you start working to get rid of the smell.

Get some great tips and inspiration for body painting with Body Painting: Masterpieces by Joanne Gair or
Drawing a Crowd: World Body Painting Festival, a DVD of the annual world-famous body painting event.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Liquid Latex and Body Hair

Body hair can be dealt with in several ways when doing body painting with liquid latex. Hairy areas can be shaved bare or trimmed short. Alternately, apply a liberal amount of body lotion (any lotion will work), rub in well and let absorb completely before painting. If the latex is going to be worn for a long period of time, lotion may not be necessary as the skin will perspire and loosen the latex over time.

Be especially careful not to let two painted parts of the body touch each other, as they will bind instantly and tear the latex. Once all the latex has been painted on, the surface needs to be sealed or finished, which stops the sticking and tearing. Use a water/silicone-based polish, like on your car, or a product from Deviant Liquid Latex called STARDUST, which is a metallic powder.

Liquid Latex Removal

To get out of a liquid latex outfit you essentially destroy it. It can be cut safely with paramedics shears or torn just by pulling it off by hand. The longer the latex has been worn, the more perspiration will have built up in a layer all over the body, and the more easily it should be sliding across the skin. If any areas are still stuck to any body hair, apply a little lotion or vegetable oil, wait for a minute or two and then try removing the liquid latex again. Once you've gotten all of the latex off your skin, then take a shower to wash off all the sweat and any oil used in the removal process.

Absolutely do not wash liquid latex off in the shower! It gets broken down and frothed up in the water and reacts with the detergents to form large clogging plugs in the drain pipes.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The fact that liquid latex cures and sets at room temperature means it can be painted onto the human body to make custom clothing fairly easily. This air-drying factor is also what let's you use this paint-able latex to add surface patterns and designs to pre-made latex clothing.

Making custom clothing

Normally, getting liquid latex on clothing is a bad thing, as it tends to cause permanent damage in either texture or color. However, this feature can be played to one great advantage and that is it does allow for the creation of custom latex clothing. This is a good method for cat-suit style outfits or costumes especially.

Find a spandex/nylon stretch cat-suit that fits you snugly, and has a zipper down the torso that lets you in and out of the garment. You will need this feature to make the suit fit well. Put on the cat-suit and paint the entire thing with liquid latex. Let each layer dry well before applying the next one. Once the entire suit has several dry layers, it will be as thick as a fitted cat-suit patterned from sheet latex. Polish the entire surface when you are done painting, unzip and climb out. Store the suit away from sunlight and any contact with anything metallic or oily for longest life. Repair with more liquid latex as necessary.

Decorating Regular Latex Clothing

Liquid latex can also be used to temporarily dress up regular latex clothing. Sheet latex is vulcanized, and liquid latex air cures, which makes them stick together but only until you peel them apart. If you own plain-colored latex clothing, you can paint designs or patterns on them with the various liquid latex colors. Just polish and you’re set to go out. You can change the accents as often as you like.

 

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Liquid Latex Tricks and Tips

There are a few different ways the application of liquid latex can be varied, either to make it easier to work with or to achieve different effects.

The painting area needs a balance of ventilation, as liquid latex lets off a small amount of ammonia vapors, and warmth, so that the model doesn’t become chilled by the drying/evaporating liquid latex. Be sure to let each coat dry completely before applying the next one, and use three or more coats for the best solid coverage. You can use a hair dryer to help with drying, but be sure not to dry out those brushes!

Foam brushes and rollers will provide the smoothest finish. For large areas and full body coverage, 2”-3” widths are good, with 1.5”-1” working well for edges and details. Have extras on hand, as once any latex dries on the foam brush, it ruins it, as the dried latex will keep sticking to the latex that is already dried on your model and will actually rip it off. Keep brushes in water if you have to take a break while you are working, and then squeeze them out well when you start up again.

Tips and Tricks

Bristle brushes, sponges and fingers all work for applying liquid latex, and each gives a different effect and texture. Liquid latex looks almost pastel when wet, and dries to a much darker shade. If you apply colors over each other while they are still wet, then can run together a bit and discolr, so make sure to really let each layer dry all the way through before applying the next one. Think out your designs to decide if it’s better to layer dark colors over light or vice versa. Some liquid latex colors are black-light sensitive and stripes and spots can get much more exciting in the dark.