Skin Colour

One sunny afternoon I decided to make the skin colour for the doll. Sunshine is essential for me to make skin colours, because mixing the colours on a cloudy day or under room light tends to create the wrong shade, which often turns out very pink.
I had coated the surface with three layers and then noticed that it was too yellow.

The next day I added a bit of red paint to make a more appropriate colour and layered four more coats. Finally the skin colour was as I wanted and evenly painted.

On the third day, the paint had completely dried and I could connect all the parts with elastic.

It has been a long time since I put the eyes in and since the undercoat covered the eyeballs I had totally forgotten the colour of the eyes until I cleaned it off.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Over the last two months of 2015, I barely touched my dolls. I found sanding the surface very uncomfortable as I didn't have normal strength in my left hand. My doctor told me the reason might be carpal tunnel syndrome or possibly just overuse.

Having a rest for two months made no great improvement, so I decided to continue working very gradually, 30 - 90 minutes per day.

This work included fixing the joints, making the surface smooth, buying fabric for dressmaking and applying Gesso to make the surface completely white, which is now ready for painting the skin colour.

Making a Wig

Before sanding the surface of the modelling paste layer completely smooth, I started making the wig for the doll with 100% human hair (European straight, dyed black).

Last stage of Modelling

Over the last couple of weeks, to prevent cracks from running through the body, I covered the parts with a layer of gauze. And then covered with a mixture of Artista formo + wood adhesive.
The next stage was to sand the entire surface, except for the face, with #120 sandpaper to prepare for the application of the modelling paste.
I used #320 sandpaper on the face for the first time... I wonder why I didn't use fine sandpaper for the faces before. It doesn't destroy the delicate parts around the mouth that I have spent hours making symmetrical.

Anatomy of the Leg

After having made quite a few dolls over the years, I generally no longer feel the need to check human anatomy guide books whilst building. However, with legs I find it impossible to make without reference. Fortunately, as it's getting warmer and more people are exposing their lower limbs, my muscular/skeletal studies are made easier. Please forgive me if you notice me steering at you knees.

Doll's Make-up

Even though there is often a plenty of time to prepare for an exhibition, I always change the colour of the doll's lips, and the thickness and angle of the eyebrows on the doll's face a few times at very last minute. As expected it happened again for the Wandsworth Fringe. I changed the lip colour to coral pink from fusia pink originally this time. I still need to make the dress for this doll, but she has been discharged from my dolls' hospital.

Thank you very much for everyone who came to see my work at Makers Uncovered event as a part of Wandsworth Fringe. It was a great aopportunity for me to introduce how to make ball jointed dolls.

Ready for the Outer Layer

I finished modeling the parts I was repairing and started coating the surface with modeling paste.
Each coat must dry before applying the next coat and I need to do at least six coats. Normally during this process, by the time I've finished applying the first coat to every body part, there will be parts that have already dried for me to carry on with.
As I am doing a limited number of body parts, the process feels longer as I have to wait for drying before I proceed.

Four Pairs of Hands

I have been making four pairs of replacement hands for four 60cm high dolls. Because hands are my least favourite part to make it's been very slow progress.

Last Night Before the Artists Open House

Last night I started very last minute changes to some details of the doll's face. It has been challenging (in a good way) before the show. Originally I had planned vermilion and green to be the colour palette for this doll, but through the process the doll chose pink and purple...

Clotheswise I've only managed to make the doll's knickers so far. The upper half will be naked this week.

Wandsworth Artists' Open House

Venue : Unit 141 Battersea Business Centre, 99-109 Lavender Hill, London SW11

Open : 11am - 6pm

Date : 4-5 October and 11-12 October

Final Modelling Stage

To avoid any cracks appearing on the surface I cover the body with gauze. I then apply a mixture of Artista Formo and wood glue over the gauze. This is the last chance to get the body shape right.

with gauze

covered with Artista Formo & wood glue