Scrunched up eyes

I find when I ask kids to close their eyes, even older kids, they scrunch up their whole face making painting quite difficult. Any tips on preventing that?

I tell them to close their eyes like they are softly like they are sleeping. I like to test them before I start painting, I use a dry sponge and a brush dipped in water to see how they react.
If they still scrunch their eyes I avoid that area.

Good luck!

I do the same as Maggie... I tell them to look at me and watch what I do (demonstrate softly closing eyes ) and ask them to do the same, relax and close their eyes softly like they are sleeping. Usually it works but if not and they keep scrunching their eyes up I will just say If you don't relax your eyes then I wont be able to paint your face properly and they take note of that!!!! If they are younger I just change the design to above their eyes

Ask them to close eyes and raise eyebrows as high as possible. Works better with the older kids.