15 Minute Face Only Painting Competition

​Theme: Heroes and Princesses

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1st Place: Award Certificate & Goodie Bag
2nd Place: Award Certificate & Goodie Bag

3rd Place: Award Certificate & Goodie Bag
 

A fast-paced, themed face painting competition celebrating creativity, speed, and technical skill.

Heroes and Princesses challenges artists to create a striking, themed design in just 15 minutes. This competition emphasizes clear concept, confident brushwork, and instant visual impact, rewarding artists who can interpret the theme creatively while executing clean, polished work in a limited time.

Heroes and Princesses is a playful, imaginative theme inspired by classic storytelling archetypes.

Artists are encouraged to create designs that capture the essence of a heroic or regal character through:

• Bold colour and expressive details

• Symbolic elements (crowns, masks, shields, magical motifs)

• Distinct personality or character essence

This competition is about evoking a character, mood, or story, rather than replicating a specific licensed figure.

 

Competition Overview

• Theme: Heroes and Princesses

• Duration: 15 minutes

• Category: Face only

• Eligibility: Open to registered CAP Expo face painters

• Entry limit: One entry per delegate

• Model limit: One model per artist

• Assistants: Not permitted

 

Competition Schedule

• Date: 23rd March 2026 - 11:30am - 11:45am

• Competition time: 15 minutes 

Time will be strictly enforced. Painting must stop immediately when the timer ends.
No extensions will be granted.

 

Judging & Voting

• Entries will be evaluated by a panel of professional judges

• Judges will be announced prior to the competition

Judging decisions are final.

 

Category Focus

This competition evaluates an artist’s ability to:

• Interpret the Heroes and Princesses theme quickly and creatively

• Work with confident, clean brushwork under time pressure

• Deliver a strong visual impact with limited time

• Use colour, line, and composition effectively

This is a speed and technique-focused category, where clear concept and polished execution matter more than intricate detail.

 

Area Judged

Judging is strictly limited to the face only.

Any paint applied outside of the face (neck, ears, hairline, décolletage) will not be considered.

 

Judging Criteria

Artists will be assessed on:

• Interpretation of the Heroes and Princesses theme

• Creativity and originality

• Brushwork, line control, and application

• Colour choice and placement

• Clean execution within the time limit

• Overall impact and completeness of the design

 

Theme Background: Heroes and Princesses

Heroes and Princesses is a playful, imaginative theme inspired by classic storytelling archetypes.

Artists are encouraged to create designs that capture the essence of a heroic or regal character through:

• Bold colour and expressive details

• Symbolic elements (crowns, masks, shields, magical motifs)

• Distinct personality or character essence

This competition is about evoking a character, mood, or story, rather than replicating a specific licensed figure.

 

Theme Restrictions

Licensed, trademarked, or copyrighted characters or designs are strictly prohibited.

This includes:

• Characters from films, TV, gaming, comics, or literature

• Recognisable princesses, superheroes, or brand-specific figures

Artists must develop original, imaginative interpretations of heroes or princesses.

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Permitted Preparations (Before Competition)

The following may be prepared in advance:

• Hair styling

• Wigs or decorative headpieces

No paint, base, or cosmetic colour may be applied to the face prior to the official start time.

 

Materials & Safety Requirements

• All paints must be cosmetic grade and compliant with UK cosmetic regulations

• Only cosmetic-grade products may be applied directly to the skin

• Fluorescent/neon pigments considered SFX may not be applied directly to the skin

• All supplies must be provided by the artist

CAP Expo is not responsible for missing or faulty materials.

 

Permitted & Prohibited Techniques

Permitted:

• Decorative eyelashes

• Loose or spray glitter

• Wigs or hair accessories

Not Permitted:

• Masks or mask components

• Prosthetics or SFX pieces

• Glued-on facial elements

• Airbrush techniques

Use of prohibited materials may result in disqualification.

 

Workplace Hygiene & Conduct

• Brushes and sponges must be clean and hygienic

• Water must be clean and changed regularly

• Work surfaces must remain tidy and safe

• No products may be placed directly on the floor

• Waste must be disposed of appropriately

• Artists must ensure model comfort and safety

 

Model Requirements & Consent

• Artists must provide their own model

• Artists and models must sign a consent form allowing photography and video recording for promotional use

 

Competition Area

Each workspace will include:

• One table

• Access to water

• Protective plastic covering

Artists must supply all other tools and materials required for the competition.

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The results of the competition will be announced on Monday 23rd March at 1500