Good evening to you all! After two days of sanding, I was finally able to paint my BJD doll. Yay! Normally, I apply between three to four coats of paint on my figurative dolls and this time, I knew that it would take more time. In fact, to paint this type of doll takes a lot of time: there are more than 19 pieces in total. The other challenge I had to do deal with this doll was the blushing. I studied several images of young women to master the various darker and lighter shades, in order to paint a more realistic body. I will come back to you in a few days with other images. Thank you all for your interest in my work!
Hello! I finally finished my BJD doll and I’m satisfied with it! In the end, I have somewhat respected the silhouette of my technical drawing: I lacked polymer clay in the end! Yesterday, I was able to start sanding several pieces, including the head, the chest and torso. It is a long process! But when I like something, I go for it with determination and patience is my best ally! I can’t wait to show you more photos! In the meantime, I need your patience… yet, I need two more days before I post anything! Thank you and see you soon!
I have finally almost finished my BJD doll! For the moment, my biggest challenge is the strength of the polymer clay. The most delicate parts that I will have to watch are definitely the arms and the top of the knees, as the thickness of the clay is thinner. Therefore, the risk of cracking and breaking are greater. For my next BJD, I intend to do various tests of polymer clays and test them in terms of their degree of tension and pressure. Although I am a fan of Cernit clay, as I mentioned several times: I’m always looking for the best combination of polymer clay. I’ll be back soon with further details by this weekend. Thank you everyone.
It’s done! I finished the chest, head and even started the thighs, all Sunday night. And yes, as I mentioned yesterday, the thighs require a lot of clay: 954 grams seems sufficient, but I have to be careful not to miss for the rest. The eyes are handmade with Swarorvski Crystal cabochons. I love crystal. The finished effect gives a natural, mysterious look and it’s even magical. I intend to finish the sculpting of my doll by the end of the week and start sanding during the weekend.
I finally finished my BJD doll torso and I even continue with the elbows, knees and chest. I am pleased to have my template used: technical drawing of my doll. It has been more than helpful, though I may make other changes once this doll will be completed. The polymer clay that I used is a mixture of Cernit (nougat) and Living Doll (Terracota). I thought about not having enough to sculpt this doll: the fact that I have not yet started the head and particularly the thighs, so far, the chest requires a lot of clay. But I think it will be fine… I’ll be back tomorrow with more details. Thank you!
Happy Friday and Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans! Tonight, I continue with my BJD doll. Last week, I was able to finish the backbone of my doll. For each part of the doll, I used Super Sculpey Ultra Light polymer clay. That clay is wonderful to touch; however, you must manipulate it in a quick way and with care: it rapidly accumulates dust and hand oil. After baking, it is also very light and is easy to carve. I count on using it a lot for future projects… I will come back to you on the progress of my doll with other images. See you again!
Happy Sunday to you all! A few weeks ago, I was able to finally shape and explore a few textures with the RAKU clay. Subsequently, after a week of waiting, I was able to test the paint (pigment) with the glaze. Pigments should be handled with care: wearing a mask and gloves are necessary! What was my astonishment and If I can say my disappointment! Several colors did not release the same color after baking and even the varnish was not as bright and lustrous as expected! But hey… as I said, I’m here to learn and explore. In addition, before I complete piece, I need do many tests, and then make a final choice in texture and color. I will get back to you this coming week with other images on ceramic. See you soon!
As I promised, on tonight’s post, I present you my first creations in ceramics. I started with small pieces. At first, I knew I had to draw what I wanted as a first work. Initially, I had the idea of creating a soap set for the bathroom, and then I changed my mind as soon as I started to mold. I had the choice between the RAKU clay and porcelain clay. I opted for the RAKU, since I didn’t feel ready for the porcelain clay. RAKU shrinks 10% after the bisque firing. This clay is a gray color before firing and turns an ultra pale pink afterwards. With the RAKU clay, I explored different textures: Snake, striped, lace, etc. I intend to use these techniques in the development of textile prints for my future fashion doll creations… Other images on my ceramics classes will be posted on my blog tomorrow!
My first bisque firing boles with my own patterns!
Good evening! Since a year now, I intend to register for a ceramics course. As a doll “artist”, I knew that I needed to take a course that would allow me to get further with my creative side. I had to get out of my comfort zone, especially with fashion. Even though the fashion industry is a creative field, nevertheless the fashion industry is defined by specific calendars: research, development, procurement, production, distribution, sales, marketing, and the list goes on… Certain periods of creation and development are even shorter and everything must be produced quickly… In my humble opinion, all of this can affect the authenticity of a creation. Therefore, I had to find a course that would help me to ‘create’ stuff with depth. My courses in textile design, that I recently abandoned, also helped me. On the other hand, although the technique was a must, I felt that something was missing. This is where the idea to join various workshops in crafts came to me! I’m happy to have listened to my own instinct, since it was the right thing to do! I have never had so much fun! I have learned new techniques that are useful to me! I intend to post several of my ceramic works. Because I want to do so! Making dolls is great, but if they are created with no depth and without a creative mind, they will quickly move to oblivion! At least this is my opinion! Thanks and I’ll be back in a few days with other ceramic creations!
Happy Sunday morning! A few days ago, I finally started my Ball Jointed Doll (BJD). Although other changes will be made, once the finished doll will be finally made, the corrections on my technical drawings were very useful. To begin this doll, I decided to experiment some personal techniques, including the use of plastic straws for the framing. Each part of the doll will consist of a bespoke cut straw. Subsequently, each trimmed straw will be wrapped with a layer of polymer clay (Sculpey Ultra Light). This light and strong clay is often used for creating unique jewelry art pieces used by artists. I must confess that I am conquered with this clay, it is so easy to mold and even after baking, it carves well. On the other hand, the advantage of this polymer clay is that once baked, it is just as light as a sheet of paper. According to what I have read, this asset is necessary so that the BJD, in polymer clay, stands: Â the heavier the parts are, the more the balance will be off. And that’s what prevents the BJD, in polymer clay, to keep the poses fluid. To close this post, I inform you, in the last six months, I took a few classes in ceramics. I plan to take others in the spring of 2017. Do not be surprised that the next few posts will be mainly allocated to a few ceramic pieces that I did this year. This will give me the time to continue my BJD in a calmer period before the Holiday rush. This project requires a lot of time, patience and energy. In the meantime, have a great day and I’ll be back in a few days. Thanks everybody!
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