One of the biggest lessons you learn when painting at real parties is this:
Not every child wants their face painted… and that’s completely okay.
As face painters, it’s easy to assume everyone wants a full-face design, but many children prefer something smaller, quicker, or simply don’t enjoy paint on their face.
That’s why I absolutely love offering monster claws and dinosaur claws on the hands as an alternative.
Kids still get to join in the excitement, show off their design to friends, and leave feeling included, all without having paint applied to their face.
In this tutorial, I show you exactly how to create these quick, effective claw designs that work beautifully at parties and events.
Why Monster Claws Work So Well
Hand designs are one of my favourite backup options because they’re:
🦖 Fast to paint
🦖 Exciting for kids
🦖 Great for busy party queues
🦖 Less intimidating than face painting
🦖 Perfect for children who prefer personal space
These designs are especially useful for:
- Shy children
- Sensory-sensitive children
- Younger children feeling unsure
- Kids who simply want something different
Having options like this can completely change the experience for a child and help create a positive memory around face painting.
How We Create These Monster Claws
This design looks dramatic but is surprisingly simple once you know the order.
Step 1: Sponge on the Background
We begin by sponging on the background colour to create a strong base and instantly add depth.
This step helps make the claws stand out and gives the design that bold monster effect.
Step 2: Add the Claws
Next, we paint on the claws using Fusion Paraffin Pro White.
This bright white creates strong contrast and makes the claw shapes really pop against the background.
Step 3: Finish with Stripes and Line Work
Finally, we bring the entire design together using stripes, outlines, and specific line work techniques.
This is where the magic happens.
Learning clean line work helps transform a simple design into something that looks polished, professional and party-ready.
Real-Life Party Tip
One thing I’ve learned after painting at events is that flexibility matters.
Sometimes children arrive excited and then change their mind once they sit in the chair.
Instead of encouraging them into a face design they don’t want, having quick alternatives like monster claws keeps the experience positive and fun.
Parents appreciate the option, and kids often leave feeling proud they still joined in.
Want to Learn Designs Like This (and Hundreds More)?
If you’d like to build confidence and learn beginner-friendly techniques that actually work at real parties, my online course teaches:
✨ Popular party designs
✨ Brush control
✨ Paint consistency
✨ Speed techniques
✨ Professional face painting tips
✨ Real-world workflow and confidence building
Start with My 5 FREE Beginner Face Painting Lessons
If you’d like to learn the most popular face paint designs kids ask for, I’ve created 5 FREE beginner lessons to help you get started.
Inside these free lessons you’ll learn beginner-friendly techniques and designs you can begin practising straight away.
👉 Get your 5 FREE Beginner Face Painting Lessons here:
https://facepaintingclasses.tv/op/opt-in-from-external/
I can’t wait to help you grow your skills and discover just how fun face painting can be.
