A GWENT student and businesswoman has become the shock world body painting champion after storming the annual championship in Austria at the end of July.

Raphaelle Fieldhouse, a Coleg Gwent make-up and fashion student, astounded the judges and 15,000 spectators with her brush and sponge techniques.

She won £1,500 in cash and £1,500 in make-up products.

It was her first attempt at the competition (www.bodypainting-festival.com) which featured 161 artists from 36 nations.

She is the first entrant from Wales and the first UK citizen to be placed in the top three.

Raphaelle lives with husband Gary in Abertridwr near Caerphilly.

Together they have founded a business called Body Canvas offering face and body painting, balloon modelling, temporary tatoos and indoor murals.

Raphaelle has already achieved a theatrical and media make-up diploma at Coleg Gwent's Cross Keys campus, where she also took a life drawing course and is currently studying fashion.

Gary said that they had gone to the championships aiming to pick up some tips from top professionals.

They were shocked at the end of the first day of competition to find out that Raphaelle had qualified for the final with a commanding points lead over her nearest rivals.

But with little competition experience they still didn't think they stood a chance of winning the final.

Raphaelle said: "When they announced the second and third places, we never dreamt we would hear my name called out next. It was a fantastic experience, in front of thousands of people."

The models were painted on two given themes: myths and fairy tales on the first day and water for the final.

On the final day Raphaelle's model was again awarded more points than anyone else, giving her an emphatic victory.

She appears to be on a roll, having won the body painting category of the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film earlier this year.

She also won the head and neck category of the National Student Make-up Competition last year.

The make-up diploma at Cross Keys includes techniques for stage and film under themes such as ballet, fantasy and ageing, plus special effects such as scars and bruises.

In addition, full-time students study wig making and hairdressing. If you fancy your hand with a brush or sponge contact the campus on 01495 333456 or go online at info@coleggwent.ac.uk The work of Body Canvas can be viewed online at www.bodycanvas.co.uk