I've been working on the Traveling Art Doll project, Round 2. Here's a little reminder of how Constanza's doll first came to me:
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Pinkish and naked, except for its cool suede shoes. This would be my first time working on a bjd - a ball joint doll. I have to admit, I wasn't sure I would like it, and the truth is, the paint was a little difficult to deal with on this type of surface, and the TINY little details on the face were a challenge! Here is a picture of the doll on my work table just after getting its face:
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If you're looking very closely, you may have noticed that the doll is no longer so pinkish. Well, Constanza had included a tag with the doll, giving his name as Jared, and the following description: "Elfo del bosque, protector de la naturaleza" (Forest elf, protector of nature). I decided that as a woodland elf, little Jared would need a greenish tint to blend in with the trees. The tips of his pointy ears, his cheeks, and the tip of his nose have a rosy glow from the sunlight.
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I tried to paint on some stripey socks, but I really didn't like the way the paint turned out, so I stitched him some socks instead. We all know how I like stripey legs!
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I'd have to say that doing the hair was the part that was most satisfying for me in this process. Again, as a bjd novice, I wasn't quite sure how to do it. I decided to make a scull cap out of cotton fabric, with darts to make it fit the rounded head. I then started sewing on curly locks of dyed angora goat hair. I used shades of green and copper, thinking of woodsy hues. Some of the locks were left dangling, others were braided. All in all, he has a wild head of hair, which seems appropriate for a dweller of the forest.
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Here are some more photos of Jared, surveying his homeland, protecting nautre:
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Pinkish and naked, except for its cool suede shoes. This would be my first time working on a bjd - a ball joint doll. I have to admit, I wasn't sure I would like it, and the truth is, the paint was a little difficult to deal with on this type of surface, and the TINY little details on the face were a challenge! Here is a picture of the doll on my work table just after getting its face:
If you're looking very closely, you may have noticed that the doll is no longer so pinkish. Well, Constanza had included a tag with the doll, giving his name as Jared, and the following description: "Elfo del bosque, protector de la naturaleza" (Forest elf, protector of nature). I decided that as a woodland elf, little Jared would need a greenish tint to blend in with the trees. The tips of his pointy ears, his cheeks, and the tip of his nose have a rosy glow from the sunlight.
I tried to paint on some stripey socks, but I really didn't like the way the paint turned out, so I stitched him some socks instead. We all know how I like stripey legs!
I'd have to say that doing the hair was the part that was most satisfying for me in this process. Again, as a bjd novice, I wasn't quite sure how to do it. I decided to make a scull cap out of cotton fabric, with darts to make it fit the rounded head. I then started sewing on curly locks of dyed angora goat hair. I used shades of green and copper, thinking of woodsy hues. Some of the locks were left dangling, others were braided. All in all, he has a wild head of hair, which seems appropriate for a dweller of the forest.
Here are some more photos of Jared, surveying his homeland, protecting nautre:
Little Jared came to life for me out there in the trees! I am happy with the way he turned out, and now I don't want to give him up! But he must now travel to Pennsylvania, where another doll maker will finish him up. Mary Esther's doll is now on its way to me, coming from Constanza's studio. I will get to see another new body type that Mary Esther utilizes, plus see what Constanza has added to the doll. It will be my job to finish that one.
For now, I have to say good-bye to little Jared. Have a safe trip, my friend!
xoxo lulu