Easy Witch Face Paint: Step-by-Step for Beginners
Updated: 5 days ago
Want to paint an easy witch face for Halloween? With purple and orange color blocks, a black witch’s hat, a spiderweb, and a small spider, you can create an eye-catching design without covering the entire face. This step-by-step tutorial is designed for parents and beginner face painters.
Below, you’ll find everything you need and learn how to build the witch face paint design in nine clear steps. The photos show you what the design should look like after each stage.
What Will You Be Painting?
This design is painted around one eye and extends across the forehead and cheek. The orange and purple base adds color, while the black hat, spiderweb, and spider make the witch theme instantly recognizable. White highlights add extra contrast at the end.
Is this your first time face painting? Read through all the steps before you begin and place your supplies within easy reach. You can simplify the design by painting fewer web lines or leaving out the spider.
Supplies for Witch Face Paint
For this design, you will need:
Orange face paint for the color around the eye, above the eyebrow, and on the cheek.
Purple face paint for the outer part of the eyelid.
Black face paint for the witch’s hat, spiderweb, and spider.
White face paint for the highlights.
A face-painting brush for the shapes and fine lines.
A face-painting sponge for the purple and orange base.
Clean water, a cloth, and an optional mirror.
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Face-Painting Safety Around the Eyes
Only use face paint that is intended for use on the skin according to its label, and check whether the product may be applied around the eyes. Do not paint irritated or broken skin, and keep the paint out of the eyes and away from the waterline. Stop if the skin or eyes become irritated.
Use clean brushes, sponges, and water. Always follow the product instructions for applying and removing the face paint.
Witch Face Paint in 9 Steps
Make sure the person you are painting is sitting comfortably and that you have plenty of light. For the color blocks, start with a small amount of water and build the color gradually. Before painting the black linework, test the brush on your hand: the paint should flow smoothly from the tip without dripping.
Step 1: Apply the Purple Base
Load a small amount of purple face paint onto a sponge. Gently dab it onto the outer part of the eyelid and soften the edges. Keep the paint out of the eye and away from the waterline.
You only need a small purple area. Start with a light layer; adding more color is easier than correcting a patch that is too dark.
Step 2: Create the Orange Shape Around the Eye
Using a clean part of the sponge, apply orange near the inner part of the eyelid. Let it meet the purple without blending the two colors completely.
Next, dab orange above the eyebrow and along the cheekbone. Together, these areas should form an open semicircle around the eye. Keep the center fairly light so the black details will remain clearly visible.
Step 3: Outline the Witch’s Hat
Use black face paint and a brush to draw the outline of the witch’s hat above the eyebrow. Start with the brim, then add the pointed top. Let part of the shape overlap the orange area, as shown in the example photo.
Begin with thin guide lines. Check the shape before filling it in, as small adjustments are still easy to make at this stage.
Step 4: Fill the Hat with Black Face Paint
Fill the witch’s hat evenly with black face paint. Work from the outline toward the center and try to keep the edges crisp.
Is the point too wide, or does the brim need adjusting? Refine the shape while you fill it in. Allow the black paint to dry briefly before working close to the hat.
Step 5: Paint the Main Spiderweb Lines
From the outer corner of the eye, paint approximately five thin lines extending outward across the orange area. Above the eyebrow, add about three more lines pointing toward the tip of the hat.
Use light pressure and paint each line in one calm movement. Fewer lines are fine too: a simple web with clean lines looks stronger than lots of lines that run into one another.
Step 6: Connect the Web Lines
Connect the long lines with short, gently curved strokes. Work from the inside outward and repeat until the spiderweb is clearly visible.
Curve the connecting lines in the same direction. Leave a little space between each row so the web remains easy to recognize from a distance.
Step 7: Paint a Small Spider on the Cheek
Start by painting a black round or oval body on the cheek. Add a smaller head above it, followed by four legs on each side.
Create each leg with two or three short strokes instead of one curved line. This gives you more control over the direction and creates a recognizable angular shape. You can also add two short feelers.
Step 8: Connect the Spider to the Web
Paint a thin line or a row of small black dots between the spiderweb and the spider. This makes it look as though the spider is hanging beneath the web.
You can gradually make the dots slightly larger as they approach the spider. This detail is optional; the spider will still be recognizable without it.
Step 9: Add White Highlights
Use white face paint to add a few small highlights to the witch’s hat and the spider. A thin stroke or a few dots are enough to give the black shapes more depth.
Now look at the complete design. Only touch up lines that are genuinely unclear. Adding too many extra details can make the spiderweb look less balanced.
Common Problems with This Witch Face Paint Design
My Black Lines Are Too Thick
Check that your brush has a good point and is not overloaded with paint. After loading it, gently roll the tip in the face paint and test a line on your hand. Use less pressure to create a thinner line.
The Orange and Purple Paint Blend Together
Use a clean section of the sponge for each color and dab instead of rubbing. Let the first color dry briefly before applying the second color beside it.
I Can’t Get the Hat Shape Right
Begin with only the brim and the outer contour, using thin lines. Fill the hat in once you are happy with the shape. A crooked or curved point suits a witch’s hat, so it does not need to be symmetrical.
The Child Does Not Want to Sit Still for Long
Create a simplified version. Apply the orange and purple base, paint a smaller hat, and use only a few lines for the spiderweb. You can leave out the separate spider and white highlights.
How to Remove Witch Face Paint
Follow the removal instructions for the product you used. With many types of face paint, you can begin with lukewarm water and a mild cleansing product. Do not rub hard around the eyes, and prevent the paint from getting into the eye. Repeat the cleansing process gently if some color remains.
More Halloween Face Paint for Beginners
Would you like to try another Halloween look after this witch? Explore 10 easy Halloween face paint ideas for kids, with designs for different skill levels.
Or go straight to one of these tutorials:
Would you also like to improve your brush control and learn how to build complete designs? Explore the online face-painting courses.
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