Clay Over Cloth
Clay over cloth is a wonderful mixed media dollmaking technique that allows you to add clay onto a head made from fabric rather than sculpting it entirely from clay. You can hide the seams that usually go down the middle of the face, and make 3-dimensional features like a nose and mouth without the need for intricate needle sculpting. Here's how I like to do it.
The Krushia Doll
Krushia is an animated character created by author Katina Marshell Cotton-Silwa. When she asked me to create a doll in Krushia's likeness, I couldn't resist.
After a couple of months plus, Krushia is complete and ready to go home! As she's being prepared to travel to her destination, I wanted to share some photos of her and a bit about my creative progress. Here she is!
Krushia
The doll in this post is really a story.
That's because she is based on an animated Young Adult fantasy portal character by author Katina M. Cotton.
How to Brighten Your Day Blue
Like reading a great book, making a doll has the ability to transport you to another place for a while, to develop your mind, reach through and touch you from the inside. Sometimes we need something unusual and different from our regular routine because it can go a long way to brighten a dreary day. Or week. Or month or longer - like when it comes to being on a stay-in-place quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I’m Seeing a Pattern Here…
While we are all at home during this COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are exploring our hobbies. We're finding positive, creative ways to keep ourselves busy and fulfilled as we cope and wait for the virus situation to get under control. If you're reading this, then chances are you find comfort in art and dollmaking, like me.
In light of that, I have started a new challenge project together with a wonderful group of cyber-doll artists. We're all using a similar doll pattern, and interpreting it our own way. You're invited to join if you like, or you can just watch my progress.
A Feather Under My Cap
This doll is definitely one of my more unusual works. I started him some time ago, and one of the things that kept him unfinished was the hair. I just couldn't figure out what fit. Today I was looking at him and it came to me: A feather!"It is true I am rather taken up with dress; but as to feathers, every one wears them, and it would seem extraordinary if I did not."
~Marie Antoinette
Have Your Cake and Heat It Too
Air-dry clay is a perfect medium for dollmaking. The results are beautiful, there is no need for baking or firing, and let's admit - sculpting is relaxing and fun. There's one problem: it takes many hours to dry the clay.
You'll have to wait overnight at a minimum. If you're busy the following day, then your dolls will go on the "back burner" until you'll have time to continue. But there's a sweet solution: A food dehydrator and a cake topper!
Leather Doll Shoes
Who needs a designer handbag when you can use it to make doll shoes?
Pin Up Boots
These Victorian boots got a nice finishing touch, thanks to a few pins and some black paint.
Avigayil
Please meet Avigayil, a sweet steampunk-inspired doll with timeless charm. Avigayil is a 25"cloth doll, lovingly and carefully "done up" with a variety of mediums, paints, and varnishes to achieve a mock porcelain look.
Her dress is Victorian / Edwardian-ish, slightly "steampunk" but more "Rivkah inspired." She's a whimsical Steam Queen, if you know what I mean. Her outfit is made from organza, lace, silk, beads, sequins, and a modge-podge of stuff I like, and she's the Bee's Knees.