Okay, so I’m reading a lot here that I didn’t see on Denise Pratt’s DVD. Can someone please detail EACH LAYER you put on the baby from start to finish? I’ve just purchased the Mona Lisa brush cleaner to save money from using the other kind and want to know what the difference is? They both say brush cleaner are they similar? If not what do you use each one for? I know I’ve asked a lot of questions that should have been two separate posts, but I appreciate everyone’s input. I’m really confused though…the experienced reborners mention layers upon layers, but Denise Pratt isn’t doing multiples, washes or flesh tones in the video and I’m confused.
I did not start as a beginner doing multiple washes, mottles and such. I think you will be happiest if you keep it pretty simple on your first one and then add to it as you get more comfortable with the techniques. I followed Nicole Russell’s Tutorial on her FB page “Learn to Reborn the Beautiful Baby Way” when I first started and still use many of the same techniques that she teaches. BTW, she is getting ready to do a new tutorial using the Presley sculpts in newborn skin tones. I don’t know if Mona Lisa Brush Cleaner is the same as Winsor Newton or not. If it doesn’t work to strip a kit, then it is probably a different formulation. I just saw that there was a post as I was typing this and although I have never used Denise’s tutorials or step by step on the site, I also use plucked sponges for my mottle. Some plucked as “innies” and some “outies” that look like a giraffe when used on the kit.
I started with Denise’s dvd, and when I was comfortable with making a successful reborn, then I started adding techniques that I got from various tutorials both on dvd and on line. I agree that you should start simple and go from there.
Use some of the many videos available to guide beginners when you start reborning. They will give you a good idea of the basics and then you can elaborate as you begin to understand the process. Your first reborn is your baseline and is one you should keep as a comparison for future work. Artists work from their hearts and there is no set formula for what colors or how many layers to use. You just have to learn to use the colors available to mix the ones you want and apply them as you think they need to be used. There is no “paint by numbers” formula for that!
Start by using the colors shown in the videos and grow from there. Keep studying what real infants look like so you know what you are working to replicate. And study the close-ups of the best reborns to see how people who know how to paint them use colors. Use thin, thin layers of paint and build it up slowly. It takes more work, more time, more faith in what you are doing, and more patience, but the end result should be worth it.
Professional athletes make what they do look easy, but if you try to do what they are doing you will probably not be up to it because you haven’t trained like they have. Creating reborns is sort of like that. You need to train yourself for a while in order to be able to do it well, and you need to keep working on what you are doing to keep improving no matter how good you get!
I agree with all above. The tutorials are only pointing you in the right direction, like training wheels on a bicycle. But nobody can make you an artist, that is something you need learn yourself by trial and error. Fortunately, the layers of Genesis are so faint that it is not easy to make total mess of the doll. You can post pics of your WIP if you need help with something you are not sure about.
I’ve stripped him again…sigh. It feels like I’m never going to get this right and I’m getting discouraged. I’m extremely creative and can craft ANYTHING, but this is really throwing me for a loop.
Why not just go ahead and finish this one instead of making yourself nuts by stripping him time and time again??? If I’d stripped a kit as many times as you have this one I would hate even looking at it by now and it would have to take up residence in a drawer somewhere! Your first is never going to be perfect, but you can learn a lot just by taking it to completion! In fact, I’ll bet you’ve learned more than you know with this one already! Sometimes starting fresh with a totally different kit makes all the difference!
Don’t stop half through! All of the babies I’ve made don’t look right until suddenly one layer makes them look real. I never know which layer is going to do the trick and sometimes I’ll be on the edge of giving up. And I’ll admit sometimes I end up with not liking how it turns out or see a mistake like a spot that the mottling didn’t go on right or is too dark. But almost always in the end, I’m glad that I didn’t quit. As for those times that a catastrophe happens, at least there is the option of starting over.
Thanks everyone! I told him that I would not strip him again and that the next time I pick him up I will see him through to completion. Holiday decorating, cleaning and shopping has slowed me down, but I hope to work on him some tonight. I appreciate your input and I’m tired of wasting expensive brush cleaner and restorer (even though I’m using the Michael’s coupon) and I have to make some kind of progress so that I don’t give up my dream of being an artist.
Don’t give up----promise yourself you will finish him this time and stick to it. Don’t forget pictures when you’re done. We love pictures. Be confident, you can do this!!!