Face painting is an opportunity to add a touch of magic to a child’s day, and this easy rainbow unicorn design is as magical as they come!
Our wonderful instructor and graduate, Elodie Ternois (affectionately named the Unicorn Queen of face painting), designed this unicorn at the beginning of her time as an instructor for us, and together we’re now sharing this beginner-friendly step-by-step tutorial so that you can create this stunning design too.
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Materials:
- “Baby Pink” – Superstar
- White (glycerin-based) (I used Kryolan white, but you could use other glycerin-based white like Superstar line white)
- Your favorite Rainbow split-cake (pictured: Discontinued “Michelle Magic 2” by Cameleon; Alternative: “Rainbow Bliss” by Fusion & Leanne Courtney)
- Black – Diamond FX
- White (wax-based) – Global
- Half Yellow Sponge
- KingArt #6 round brush
- KingArt ⅜” angle brush (Alternative : The Face Painting Shop Brush – 3/8″ Medium Angled)
- KingArt 18/0” liner brush (Discontinued – Alternative: Blazin’ Brush 2/0” details brush)
- Superstar #3 round brush (Alternative: KingArt round #3)
Step 1:
With a sponge, apply Superstar “Baby Pink” on the top of the cheekbone, the temple and the beginning of the forehead, and then finish along the jaw.
This is optional, but will add a beautiful shimmer blush to your model and make the unicorn stand out more on the face.
In the middle of the cheek, draw with your round brush #6 and white paint, a circle for the head, a square for the muzzle, and a triangle for the ear. For the neck, make an S shape starting from the top of the head.
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Step 2:
With the same brush and Kryolan white or another glycerin-based white paint, fill the inside of the shapes and draw the horn.
With a ⅜” angular brush and a rainbow split cake, load the cool half of your rainbow cake colors (green, blue, and purple). Place the mane starting with these cold colors.
The top of the fringe points to the inner corner of the eye. Do the same for the mane placed below the muzzle.
Step 3:
With the same brush load the warm colors of the split cake (red/pink, orange, and yellow). The bottom of the fringe points to the chin. Use the same focal point for the mane placed below the muzzle.
Make sure that the green from your first strokes and yellow are next to each other to create the full rainbow.
The whole mane, on the left side of the Unicorn, follows the shape of the neck. It starts at the ear and ends after the neck. This creates that beautiful flow and movement within your design.
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Step 4:
With the round brush liner 18/0 and black Diamond FX, draw the outlines of your unicorn.
Step 5:
With the same brush, place the eye (round or oval) more or less in the center of the head. Add a little blush to your unicorn with the same “Baby Pink” Superstar color.
With a round brush #3 and Kryolan white, paint teardrops. For good flow, direct your teardrop clusters toward the facial focal points.
The teardrops at the top point to the center of the forehead and the teardrops from the bottom point point to the center of the chin.
Add some dots for details (you can also use stencils to add stars for example).
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Step 6:
With the brush liner and black, outline your teardrops (optional). With the same brush and Global white, add touches of light on the head and neck of the unicorn. The waxy white paint will show over the glycerin white base and create a lovely detail.
You’ve done it! Congratulations on your magical rainbow unicorn face paint! 🌈🦄
It’s time to take a nice photo for your book.
Choose a neutral color background (ideally white or black), beautiful lighting (ideally natural), and smile for the camera. ;)
When you post, be sure to tag us @facepaintingschool so we can celebrate your achievement with you. We’d love to see your artwork. 😍
Do you love Elodie’s designs? Then, you don’t want to miss our most popular Step-by-Step tutorial: Elodie’s Rainbow Butterfly. This design turns a very popular request into a real show-stopper.
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