Just a few more air dry questions

Baby Talk
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  1. When I reborn, I tend to “choke up” on my limbs (while painting the foot, I hold the calf, whilr painting the calf, I hold the thigh. I hold the rim when I paint the thigh though!) Is this an ok practice with air dry? Or do I need to cut that out?

  2. I was planning on using a lot of water in my mixes to really thin the paint as I use the primary was method and I dont want the colors to be too powerful. I have heard that by doing this, the paint wont stick. If I am sure to use a few drops of slow dry as well, will this fix this or do I need to buy sure bond?

  3. I used 4 glass bowls for my genesis colors. If I was these really well, would I be able to use them for my air dry?

  4. Do I need to use distilled water to clean my air dry brushes? Does it need to be a certain temp (warm, cold, hot, room temp?)

  5. If I dont use all of one wash color, can I store it in a jar for future use? Does this change the properties of the paint (storing ready mixed) or will it be good to go when I start the next kit.

  6. Eyebrows. Ugh. Do I need to buy the “magic flow” to do these or am I good to go with slow dry.

  7. Can I use brushes designed for oils (brand new) with air dry. I have a favorite pack of brushes…

I think that’s all… for now. Im sure I can think up some more though as time goes by. (So slowly. That time can do-o so-o much! Are you still mine?) <— sorry, Everytime I say “as time goes by” that song pops into my head and gets stuck. Just figured I’d serenade y’all since that song will now be stuck in my head for the next few days…

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Following :heart:️

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I can try to answer a little of this until one of the experts makes an appearance. :wink:

  1. I try not to hold anything but the rim. To help me steady the part, I shove a chopstick or something similar in there, holding it and the rim together.

  2. I am doing this without a problem, using very thin washes with a little glass and tile medium and a few drops of slow dry… I had a problem with the paint not sticking on a chin recently, but I think that was due to missing a spot when cleaning the kit, so user error there.

  3. Never used Genesis so I can’t say 100%, but it seems like it would be okay since it’s non porous and can be cleaned well.

4.Technically yes (but I don’t) and room temp is fine.

  1. I have washes mixed up, sitting in empty fruit jars. I’ve been working off of the same washes for weeks now, just having to make sure to check the consistency, adding a few drops of water here and there. How long they can sit like this, I have no idea. The only problem I’ve had with this is that little flecks of paint are in my red wash now- had no idea they were there till they landed on my doll and they can’t be mixed it, so I’ll be mixing up a new batch of red wash… no biggie.

  2. I can’t help you here. My eyebrows are awful… still trying to work that out. Lol

  3. Don’t know the answer to this right off hand either as I’ve only ever worked in acrylics… Maybe someone here will know; if not, a Google search would probably get you the answer.

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When I reborn, I tend to “choke up” on my limbs (while painting the foot, I hold the calf, whilr painting the calf, I hold the thigh. I hold the rim when I paint the thigh though!) Is this an ok practice with air dry? Or do I need to cut that out?

Oils from your hands can be absorbed into the vinyl causing paint not to stick. I too put my limb on something to hold onto it and the flange while painting and try not to hold on the limb. Some wear vinyl gloves to prevent issues but I hate wearing them so I do not. If you are going to keep holding them that way then I would say you should wear vinyl gloves.

I was planning on using a lot of water in my mixes to really thin the paint as I use the primary was method and I dont want the colors to be too powerful. I have heard that by doing this, the paint wont stick. If I am sure to use a few drops of slow dry as well, will this fix this or do I need to buy sure bond?

Slow Dry is the like Retarder in that it does not contain any binders. If you are wanting to thin the paints with lots of water then Yes you need to add a few drops of Sure Bond or you can use Golden Glazing Liquid or FolkArt Paint Adhesion Medium.

I used 4 glass bowls for my genesis colors. If I was these really well, would I be able to use them for my air dry? Just be sure you washed them out really well of all Genesis residue. You might run them through the dishwasher.

Do I need to use distilled water to clean my air dry brushes? Does it need to be a certain temp (warm, cold, hot, room temp?)

I do keep distilled water in my glass jar to rinse brushes while painting. When I am done I will wash them all in the sink and let air dry but while painting I use Distilled water so as not to transfer regular water back to my piece.

If I dont use all of one wash color, can I store it in a jar for future use? Does this change the properties of the paint (storing ready mixed) or will it be good to go when I start the next kit.

I do not recommend this. Water does break down the binders in the paint. When we paint it evaporates off but when you store it mixed in a jar it can break it down. I found this to be very true when I was painting with Jo Sonjas. Diluted paints stored in jars looked fine on the doll but baby did fade out over time.

Eyebrows. Ugh. Do I need to buy the “magic flow” to do these or am I good to go with slow dry.
Can I use brushes designed for oils (brand new) with air dry. I have a favorite pack of brushes…

I use Slow Dry and paint for my brows and hair. Melissa suggested to me to add a little Sure Bond to increase adhesion if painting with a lot of Slow Dry.

You can use any brushes you want as long as they have not been used with oils. I use all sorts of brushes but mostly paint with sponges.

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Following :blush: I’ll give my best answers but, keep in mind I’m a newbie and only speaking from my personal experience on the 2 dolls and few practice limbs I’ve painted so far:
-Yes, you can save any premixed air dry paint in a air tight container
-You’ll know if you have too much water if your paint beads up on your vinyl, I add Liquitex Ultra Matte Gel to all my paint and it helps slo-dry and adhesion

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-I hold onto my limbs as well, especially when painting creases. As long as you’re washing your hands frequently you should be fine. I thought I’d add- I was using gloves and noticed my gloves would get discolored like the paint was sticking to them a bit. I’m unsure if it’s just the gloves I was using or not? I never get paint on my hands though!

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I would have given you the same basic inputs as @anjsmiles did. The only difference is that I do not use Baby FX products.

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Thanks for the answers! Is the golden something I can find in stores or do I need to order it online?

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I bought mine in store at Michael’s

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I wonder if hobby lobby sells golden?

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Probably… I may go today. If I do I’ll look :wink:

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For number 5 I think @DDDolly says it is ok to use an acrylic pencil. I tried this and messed them up using a thickening medium to make them look more realistic and didn’t use the right one and it dried white, lol.

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Thank you!!:grinning:

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Great question! @anjsmiles

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I have never had that question actually. Water resistant is not water proof. That just means it will repel water. In my care instructions I instruct people not to wash their dolls but to clean them with a damp cloth only. I would say if they just had to wash the hair to do it quickly and avoid getting the scalp any wetter than they had to. Keep water off the face. Then dry the scalp well with a towel.

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I will add that if I root hair I do condition it and rinse it as a last step. I have not had any issues doing that but once again I try to avoid saturating the scalp.

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Well, none of those adhesion mediums are available in the 2 craft stores in my town. And the golden is kind of expensive. But then again, it has a fair amount more liquid than the paints do. I dunno.

I decided on the folkart adhesion medium. I hope I bought the right one, Jo Ann’s had it listed as a candle painting mexium but it did say folkart paint adhesion medium. Now justto wait on the packages…and not spend anymore money on art supplies for at LEAST a full month…bills, Tory, you have bills!

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that’s the right Folkart medium

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I just found some videos on Baby FX techniques. I hope this link works.

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Good morning Nikki :slight_smile:! Just wanted to let you know that I didn’t get a chance to go to Hobby Lobby yesterday but, I did hear that Wal-Mart carries the Golden acrylic :blush:

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Thanks Anj!! So informative :slight_smile:

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