Demo Artist: Hannah Ainsworth

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Hannah Ainsworth has been transforming faces and sparking smiles for over 15 years. Her journey into the world of face painting began quite by chance at her son’s infant school summer fair. When the scheduled face painter cancelled at the last minute, Hannah, a member of the PTA, decided to step in. Armed with a basic Snazaroo kit and a book of designs, she painted all day and had the time of her life. From that day on, she was hooked, and what began as a spontaneous act of creativity turned into a long and colourful career.

Hannah has become known for her love of painting animals, especially big cats such as lions, tigers and cheetahs, along with bright, bold designs featuring popular children’s characters. Her signature style often includes vibrant one-stroke elements that make her work instantly recognisable and full of energy.

Her talent and dedication were recognised in 2023 when she won the FACE International Face Painting Association’s Face Painter of the Year Award, as well as first place in their Annual Showcase Competition. The wins came as a complete surprise, especially as she had only been a member of FACE for a year.

Hannah’s skills have also earned her regular bookings at local venues. She became the resident face painter at Standalone Farm in Letchworth at the start of 2025, where she paints during school holidays. She also regularly works at Westgate Shopping Centre in Stevenage, often alongside her mum, who provides glitter tattoos, a real family affair.

When it comes to inspiration, Hannah finds it everywhere, especially in the world of children’s characters, which she loves to reinterpret with her own creative twist. Growing up in South Africa gave her a lifelong fascination with wildlife, and she credits those early safari experiences for her love of painting animals today.

Hannah is now looking forward to taking part in the FACE Conference 2026, where she’ll be demoing live for the first time. Having learned so much from watching other artists in previous years, she’s excited to step into the spotlight herself and share some of the techniques she’s picked up over the years.

Her demo, Spooky Skeleton Pinching Candy from a Halloween Pumpkin, promises to be a playful twist on traditional Halloween designs. Attendees can expect to see how Hannah breaks down a character into simple, easy-to-paint elements that can be recreated quickly on the job. She hopes her session will inspire other artists to add a touch of fun and creativity to their own kid-friendly Halloween looks.

For Hannah, it’s all about playful designs that bring joy to children and spark their imaginations, and this spooky skeleton is no exception.

If you would like to get your tickets for the FACE conference, you can buy them from our website here