Doll enthusiasts enjoy customizing their dolls. Painting a doll, however, can be tricky. Thankfully, there is a simple solution - painting with clear nail polish.
Here are some tips:
Each type of doll will require different care. The main types of dolls that can be painted and customized are plastic dolls similar to Blythe and monsterhigh, dolls like blythe and frankie, and resin dolls like the bjd dolls. Of all of these, Resin is the easiest to change, and vinyl is the easiest to paint, but stains easily. Aspiring doll faceup artists may want to practice on a few cheap ceramic dolls before tackling fashion dolls, or resin ball jointed dolls (BJDs).
The first step in painting a doll face is to remove the old face paint. To do so, you will need a scrubbing sponge, some acetone or rubbing alcohol. Acetone is harsh and should be diluted when dealing with materials like resin but it is an effective way to remove old face paint. Dip the sponge into some water or alcohol and acetone, then gently scrub off the old color.
How painting a doll makes you a better artist？
The next step in painting a doll is to protect the doll's face. There are many substances to do this. Popular sealants among doll hobbyists are Testor's Dull Cote and Mister Super Clear. These sealants not only protect the original material but also provide texture that holds paints and powders. While they may not be suitable for Blythe or monsterhigh dolls, always test out a spare head before applying the sealant. To avoid overspray, always work in an outdoors area with good ventilation and never apply the sealant closer than two feet from the doll to avoid over-saturating one area.
For doll faceup artists, one of the most important steps is blushing. A well-done blush makes a giant difference. There's no right or wrong way to do it, as long as it looks natural. There are many ways to make a blush look lifelike with airbrush, chalk pastels, oil-free makeup, and makeup brushes.
Painting Doll Eyes and Lips
The doll’s painted finish can be sealed with another protective layer of sealant, which will keep new paint from penetrating and damaging the previous steps. On the eye and mouth area, the artist can use differing degrees of detail depending both on their preference of work and desired level of realism.
To create a doll’s lips, use paint mixed with a thinner for transparency to create a glossy look. For a matte look, apply paint directly to the lips. Use darker colors for the eyes by applying black eyeliner and allowing it to dry. Finally, apply either paint watered down with chalks or paint with other paints mixed in.It is the hardest part to paint when you are starting out with a doll. The best tool to use is a liner brush with a long, thin tip. Start by painting the lower lashes and end with light strokes.
Eyebrows are hard to paint by hand, but with a stencil and sparse detailing, it is an easy job. One brow should be drawn out, and then the stencil duplicated onto the second brow.
