The first step in painting your mannequin is to disassemble it. Then, run the sandpaper over the limbs, to buff the existing gloss and help the new paint adhere to it. Clean the surface with soap and water to remove any dust and grime, and allow to dry. Cover the surrounding area and prepare yourself by putting on your old clothing, face mask, and gloves.
To paint your mannequin’s skin in a block colour, hold the spray can slightly away from the surface and apply the paint thinly and evenly, allowing it to dry fully between coats – two should be sufficient. Finish with a layer of satin sealant to seal the color.
Once this is dry, use a brush to add any details you want on your painted mannequin. For traditional display mannequins, you may want to add facial hair, make-up, or nail varnish, to humanise them. If you’re going for a more ‘out there’ look, you could add anything from abstract art to a third eye – get creative!
Once you’re happy with the appearance of your mannequin and the newly painted areas have dried, apply another layer of the spray-on satin sealant. Use the brush-on gloss to accentuate any areas of the face that should be shinier, such as the eyes and lips – this will make your mannequin look more realistic.
Once everything is fully dry (this may take a day or more), reassemble your mannequin. Now comes the fun part; it is time for you to dress, pose and display it with pride!