Well I have been experimenting with every way I possibly can in making doll bodies and I find that there is no easy way . Not that I am looking for an easy way, but a way that feels right to me. I keep running into humps that need to be smoothed out during the body construction. I have pretty much figured out how to make dolls from head to toe all on my own ( with a little help from the net ) I find it interesting that there are almost NO books on paperclay dollmaking , with the exception of a few including this one written by the late Robert Mckinley http://www.amazon.com/Sculpting-Dolls-Paper-Robert-McKinley/dp/0916809781
and yes you are seeing right ,apparently he was the master , The O.G. and somewhat of a pioneer with paperclay and it is around four hundred dollars for his book because it is out of print. If you happen to see this gem say, at a garage sale or used bookstore , snag it immediately ! I have looked for it at our local used bookstore , no luck ! I did manage to find this one and ordered it http://www.amazon.com/Make-Puppet-Using-Creative-Paperclay/dp/1412019699/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_3 Looks pretty cool and has puppets!
I don't mind figuring out how to make them on my own , I think it makes for more unique creations and style and is part of the beauty and the struggle of being a self taught anything. Sometimes you need a little heads up though , especially when you hit those humps or get stuck in a rut. It is nice to be able to find information /tips on technique. Just for the technical part of things you know , might gain some new insight . I am really looking forward to the book coming in the mail (especially because of the puppets ) I made a marionette once a few years ago....
Now I look like a total doofus in this picture but the puppet is pretty cool . He is an Elf I made him out of papermache. I haven't made one since but it doesn't mean my love for puppets has gone away. I love dolls just as much. Why I love to make tiny non- people that look like people? I don't know .. Not quite sure where it comes from. I think it is a way to sort of tap into a different world and create things ( or people) the way I want them to be. I have always been fascinated by dolls and felt like they all tell a story and have a life of their own . They have such a strong life force about them even though they are not real . Somebody made each one with love and with care , somebody loved each one. Especially now that doll art is so very broad and interesting. It's not just about porcelain molds anymore. Art dolls have come a long way , they don't even have to have a body , just an awesome head or whatever. Sheesh , they really don't even need heads ! It's really become crazy creative and cool , anything goes and I love it . Papermache is one of the oldest doll art forms and I do think antique dolls and very old dolls are really neat , Imagine the stories they have to tell. The thought of creating something that will tell their stories for years to come makes me happy. Dolls are your friends and if you make them you have your friends around you all the time.
So yesterday I made my own pattern and made a cloth body , I'm diggin the 100% cloth body paperclay head get up. The body turned out great and I didn't have the clay to cloth jointing challenges to deal with.
I like painting the eyes much more than using doll eyes or the black eyes .birthday girl hat ?
I also like the cloth body much better because it makes the doll a little less fragile. Of course her head is breakable but she isn't going to be completely confined to the shelf or curio. She can actually be held and played with , if carefully.
I did a little dye experiment to get some different hair colors from my Alpaca locks, the orange was red food coloring (LOVE IT ) :) and the brown I dyed with coffee , well sorta brown , it didn't take as well as the "red".
anywho , she is almost done and I am just playing with outfit fabric and what not .. hat , no hat ? I'll figure out who she is :)
P.S. I love this font , it's almost as crappy as my actual handwriting :D
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