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.
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.
3-D Fabric Eyes For Cloth Dolls
Needle sculpting a cloth doll head creates a fully-defined nose and mouth. Wouldn't it be nice to add a little POP to the eyes?
Here's a tutorial that demonstrates how to "sculpt" fabric eyes. The result will be a whimsical, charming, and unique face.
MAYIM- Fish Boi Work in Progress
Mayim is an experiment using Paperclay to sculpt a whimsical doll.
Though cloth soft sculpture is my first love in the art of dollmaking, I'm practicing hand at something I'd love to improve on. Sculpting in clay does not come naturally to me, but I do find it a lot of fun. Though I work slowly, I'm not concerned. I'm happy with the way Mayim is evolving!
Artful Relaxation
I've been reading about art blogs lately - what makes them interesting and successful, and of course, why some go south.
One excellent bit of advice I came across several times is not to be a perfectionist. People want to read about what you create, but they also want to read about YOU. It's important to share what makes you create what you do, what you feel, and so on. So instead of apologizing for not having incredibly interesting techniques to share all the time, or "disappearing," it's better to just share some of the little things. So, here I am and here I go.