Don’t give up. It takes a while with some of us to find the right mix and right consistancy with the right additives. I started with one paint and went to another about 5 dolls in. I was very happy when I used Liquitex as it was so different and worked for me. After listening to eveyone, you will finally get a feel for what you need to do, ignore all the different ways and get your own. Just keep trying.
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Thank you Anne. I won’t give up but it is so very frustrating. I started out with cheap acrylic paint to diside if I even liked reborning. Obviously I LOVED it! So I started watching video after video and talked to my husband about it, he didn’t support me because I wanted to get an oven and use GHSP but he flat out said no because of the vapers And chemicals and what not he said meticly I was too high risk (my husband is my full-time caregiver)so money wise wasn’t really an option anyways there was so many videos about folk art honestly I liked it. But because most artists speak down about it, I also heard good things about baby FX so I saved up for a few months to order when my starter got here I noticed it was something else but was great I love them I use liqutex and also ( can’t remember the brand name, it’s french and starts with a p)oh and also duraclear ultra matte finish or americona soft touch.(thank you @RebornsbyZebra!)
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Sweet dreams
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I had the same mottling problems when I first tried. The biggest tips that helped make the mottling show up and hold there shape was to first make the painting a bit thicker (mine is about the consistency of milk when I mottle) and most importantly, blot the mottling sponge on a paper towel a few times before you apply it to the vinyl. I brush the paint on the beauty blender mottling sponge with a paint brush, then dab it kind of hard on a paper towel 2-3 times, then stamp it on the vinyl. If it looks too dark, you can carefully blot it with a kabuki brush a bit.
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Thank you! Everyone has such wonderful advice!! I’ll get it eventually!!
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For your mottling sponge, you are basically making a stamper so you need to make some of the holes a little deeper so only the raised part gets paint on it. I would also pluck out more holes so they are closer together. Look up mottling sponges with the spyglass to get a better idea. When you mottle, paint the raised parts of your sponge and then blot until you can see the hole pattern. I also paint the limbs in sections so I can go back and blot off excess before it dries, like paint the foot then blot, up to the knee then blot, then rest of leg. I have baby fx paints and started by using a paint ratio given by @anjsmiles. 1 drop paint, 5 drops golden glazing liquid or slowdry, 15 drops distilled water. Depending on the intensity of your paint you may have to adjust a little, but this would give you a starting point. Washes of color and anytime you use blue should be even thinner. Hope this helps.
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Maybe consider these for veining? https://www.amazon.com/Baosity-Watercolor-Fluorescence-Acrylic-Fountain/dp/B07L97KFV4/ref=sr_1_26?keywords=empty+paint+markers&qid=1565378806&s=gateway&sr=8-26
I have some and haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve read that they can be used for veining. I’m sure you know about the myriad of pencil grips you can add to something like that, or make your own by wrapping foam and masking tape around it. Thin your paint with your blending medium, maybe also some glazing medium and some water- then draw veins on and blot with a sponge as you go. If you want to look for other brands or vendors, search for “refillable paint pen”
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PS- your babies are adorable, and you’re bringing so much happiness to those who receive them!!
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If it’s easier for you to hold something with a handle, you can get foam stampers at craft stores that have handles built in. You could pluck holes in them and use them to mottle. If you got the holes really close together on one of these and left thin lines between you might even be able to use it to look like little capillaries!
Wouldn’t work with big veins, but lots of babies don’t have noticeable veins in real life…especially the chubby ones. And the ones on the head are often covered by hair. I’m a retired pediatric RN who used to work NICU on occasion and I can tell you from experience that finding a vein on a full term baby can sometimes be really really difficult! Just leave the big ones off if they aren’t working for you and concentrate on the skin tones and other things. Do those well and no one will miss what you decided to not do. There is no rule that says every reborn has to have lots of veining!
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Thank you that’s a really smart idea I found some of theses in my local 2 dollar shop last week, 3 of them for 8 dollars but I took a pass because 1 I didn’t know if they would work and 2i think I can get them cheaper. I’m going to order some now, thanks again
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Thank you I appreciate all of your ideas and suggestions!!!
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to help me out it’s very much appreciated!all the information you have all given me has helped me and for the first time ever I think I actually like the live baby I’m making so far!
the only things I’m unhappy about are one leg is alot redder then everything else and the veins are too thick and too dark…
For the red leg you can try some washes and/ or mottles of mint green and maybe your flesh color.
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Sweet thank you I’m trying that once our company leaves and will post pics!
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I’m disabled. And I modify how I do things.
First. I use Instamorph to make grips that are formed to fit my hand. I do it with everything. Brushes. Needles. Etc.
I use an RDC to root. It attaches to my small table. I use it to paint and root so I don’t have to actually hold the parts in my hand.
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That’s awesome thank you for sharing. I have to use foam grippers for forks and spoons and things and I just gave it a go and I like it for my smaller brushes and it worked out well. My husband is going to find the right type of foam and rig some up for my brushes!
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@taylorsgirl sorry for being dumb but what is an RDC? It sure sounds like a good idea for rooting!
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Reborn doll companion. Still moments nursery sells them. They hold the head and clamp on to a table or tripod.
https://www.stillmomentsnursery.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=305
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Thank you! I will look into it.
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