Body painting is a fascinating form of art, in that it takes it usually takes a team of people to create spectacular art right on human skin. You can now find a whole collection of artists behind this movement at the website I Love Body Art. Through over 1,300 images, it showcases the most innovative and expressive forms of body art. Works from 150 professional and amateur artists from all over the world can be found here, with more added every week.
Here we’ve compiled some of the best animal body art examples out there. Emma Fay from the UK, Gesine Marwedel from Germany and Johannes Stoetter from Italy are just of the artists that have taken animal body art to the extreme. With professional make-up, expert lighting, and, of course, an unbelievable imagination, they’re able to completely conceal the body, making you believe, if only for a second, you’re looking at a painting of an animal, and not one of the human body.
Just this year, artist Emma Fay came out with a new series called Marvels of Nature where she teamed up with contortionist models Beth Sykes and Lowri Thomas and photographer Jonathan Macauley to create images of a colorful seahorse, a hairy spider and a majestic giraffe. Set against a white background, the contortionists, with their body angled in just the right way, are just as an important part of the piece, as the artist herself.
Above: Johannes Stotter
Body art: Emma Fay, Photo: Jonathan Macauley
Body art: Emma Fay, Photo: Jonathan Macauley
Body art: Emma Fay, Photo: Jonathan Macauley
Body art: Gesine Marwedel
Body art: Craig Tracy
Body art: Gesine Marwedel 
Body art: Wiser Oner
Body art: Gesine Marwedel 
Body art: Gesine Marwedel 
Body art: Gesine Marwedel 
Body art: Gesine Marwedel
Body art: Johannes Sotter
Body art: Kate Spinks Dean
Body art: Kate Spinks Dean