a miner
a chimney sweep

both look like someone who's got covered in soot/coal dust in the course of their work

a soldier in camouflage
a poacher or burglar trying to make themselves inconspicuous at night

both look like someone who's, well, trying to make themselves inconspicuous at night

Minstrels blacked up so as to look like a highly conspicuous caricature of black people - and because it was just the way you did a minstrel show - and put themselves on display with music and songs.

Border Morris dancers black up because it's just the way you do Border Morris, and put themselves on display with music and dancing.

The analogy may be misleading, but it's a hell of a lot closer than sweeps or poachers.