From animation screens to painted faces

Danish and Nur Farina are expanding their animation expertise into a new creative field - painting children's faces. For the 23-year-old Universiti Teknologi Mara student, the opportunity came during her industrial training. Despite having no prior experience, Farina volunteered to try face painting, intrigued to see if her animation skills could translate onto a living canvas.

"I tried it because I wanted to do something new," she explained. "If I failed, it would be an opportunity for me to improve, and if I succeeded, I had discovered another ability." The experiment proved successful, becoming both a creative outlet and a small source of income. Farina particularly enjoys butterfly designs which may take 5-10 minutes, while geometric patterns require more concentration and precision, often taking 15-20 minutes.

Beyond the painting, she enjoys interacting with the children and witnessing their reactions when they see their finished designs. The same experience has helped Muhammad Danish Ahlami Imtiaz Alam, a 20-year-old 3D Animation Diploma student at Kolej Vokasional Kluang. Though he had always been interested in art, Danish doubted his ability to paint faces.

However, seeing the happiness his work brought to others boosted his confidence, encouraging him to continue. For Danish, face painting offers a calming creative exercise and a chance to experiment with various motifs. Simple designs take around 10 minutes, while more intricate ones may take 15-20 minutes. Danish's preferred motifs include flowers, animals, characters, and elements inspired by nature.

He also allows children to choose their own colors and designs, turning the session into a collaborative effort. The experience has taught Danish that creative skills can transcend mediums, not being confined to static drawings or digital characters. Both students see face painting as an opportunity to apply their familiar artistic principles in a new setting, adapting to a moving canvas and responding to each child's preferences.

For Farina, the experience is not just about making pocket money, but discovering another way to express her creativity. Danish shares the same sentiment, hoping to continue face painting at events and further develop his animation skills while exploring new creative avenues.