Prenatal Belly Painting: What to Expect

World Belly Art

Are you thinking about having a prenatal belly art painting keepsake done and wondering about what to expect during the session? It is an easy, fun and a creative way to express yourself. Prenatal Belly painting is a wonderful way to celebrate pregnancy. As a face painter I usually paint at parties, but prenatal painting is a new and creative way to have a pregnancy keepsake.

The Design Process

I have many designs I have created and I can also collaborate and create a design with your ideas. We will discuss about the type of design you would like and we will go over the color scheme and layout. I will provide sketches for your approval before the painting begins. There are many creative ideas which can be painted. One mom always thought of her pregnancy as feeling like a little whale was moving in an ocean, so she wanted an underwater ocean scene. Another scheduled a painting session right after her ultrasound that day and I painted "Its a boy!" with a little boy football player (in Denver Broncos colors of course). on her belly so she could use the picture to announce on Facebook and phone messaging. Still another mother did a lot of traveling and wanted the world painted on her belly. You can be as creative as you want! Designs can be serious art, funny or cute. It is so much fun bringing an original design together with parents.

Ocean Whale Belly Art

Tips to Prepare for Paint Session

Shower well before being painted, ideally an hour or two before the session as the natural body oils and sweat can interfere with body paints, making them less able to stick to the skin. Clean natural skin is the goal for painting. Also don't apply moisturizer or makeup or any other body care product after you shower. These can also interfere with the paint. Wear loose clothing and a sports bra. Loose clothing like oversized t-shirt or a front button blouse with a sports bra, peasant skirts or yoga pants (or any other stretch material) keeps the design from rubbing too much.

Floral Belly Art

What to Bring to a Paint Session

You can also bring another change of clothing and props (such as necklaces, earrings, skirts etc.) for the photo session afterwards. You (or your husband, if he wishes to participate) can also bring a camera. I will take digital pictures with my camera and provide digitally enhanced photos. But you may want to get some pictures of yourself with your own camera. I will spray the finished product to help hold the image if you want to photograph yourself later at another location (I live very close to Red Rocks Amphitheater for example). Bring a towel or sheet to cover your car seat on the ride home. The paint can and does rub off. Upholstery can be difficult to clean.

The Paint Session and Photography

My canvas is always moving so it is a delight to paint. Your baby sometimes will get very active while I make brush strokes. During the paint session drinks and snacks are provided to you. I have a chaise lounge with pillows for you to relax and be comfortable while being painted (pregnant moms should always be comfortable). I play music (your choice of music) and an eye pillow is provided if wanted (some moms just like to watch me paint). I let you take breaks and stretch during the painting session. After painting I photograph outdoors in natural lighting and indoors with my Canon digital camera. After the shoot, I will digitally enhance the photos and provide you with the enhanced photos. I can also add birth announcement information to the photos after the baby is born. A painting session with photography included can last anywhere from 2 hours to 5 hours depending on how elaborate the design is.

Tropical Toucan Belly Art

Clean Up Afterwards

The paint will come off with simple soap and water. It will help to apply a lather to dry skin and then rinse. Should you have any difficulty a little bit of baby oil or makeup remover should help. However there are a few colors/paints that will stay a bit more stubbornly, red in particular. But even that should only leave a very light hue behind.