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This is Dannie. She will be our model for this lesson.
Getting Started:
Be sure to start with porcelain bisque that has been fired properly
and has been polished gently with a fine grit scrubber and dusted off completely.
Conditioning the Porcelain:
1) Dip your finger in a small amount of Area Medium
2) Rub it into the porcelain. Use a swab to remove any puddles of medium from tiny crevices.
The First Stages of "Life"
3) Use cheek blush and a bit of extra Area Medium to apply a thin wash over the entire face.
This will give the doll a gentle glow and
breath a bit of life into the porcelain.
Take care not to get this wash on the eye whites. Let's keep those nice and clean.
4) Use a cotton swab to blend the color in the crevices and remove any extra color on
the surface of the porcelain. We want to keep this very subtle.
5) Apply a small dot of cheek blush to the center of each cheek.
6) Using a cotton swab, gently pat or tamp the color from the center out in a gentle tapping motion.
(This will help to blend the color evenly on the cheeks.)
4) Check to make sure that the color is fairly even with no dark dots of color or fuzz trapped on the surface.
It is important that any fuzz from the swab be removed or it is possible that the fiber
will soak up the color and leave a fine line of red on the cheek
(which will not be so fine when you examine the doll after the first firing)
So far, great job! Let's continue!
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Step
#2
Apply a thin layer of cheek blush
to the lips.
Try to apply evenly and not too thickly.
It may look heavy in the photo,
but it is just the light bouncing off
of the wet paint.
Hint: Wash brush, blot on paper
towel, dip into area medium and blot
again. Use this brush to gently
remove any excess china paint to
keep the layer of paint thin
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Step
#3
Using your dark brown paint, carefully
add a thin line across the top arch
of the eyeball.
Many good quality molds will have
cleanly sculpted lines that are easy
to follow.
It is imperative that you get a good,
clean, thin line.
Now you can see the lips have
dried and you can get a better idea
of how they will look when fired.
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Step #4
Okay, Our dear Dannie is starting to
come to life, but so far this has been
the easy part!
Loading the brown paint we now add
another thin line on the opposite
top arch of the eye socket.
I find that turning the head upside down
during these next several stages will
help you to see if the eyes
match and are even.
They are so tiny, and it is really
important to get them to be as similar
as possible. |
Step #5
For this next step, you can use a color
of your choice.
Try cheek blush, or mix some brown
in with any red that you like.
I am known for my trademark
reddish lower eye line.
This is a personal choice, and I use
various colors depending on the doll,
the mood etc.
For this demonstration, you can load
your liner brush with cheek blush plus
a bit of brown.
Carefully paint a very thin line
following the lower eye socket
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Step
#6
You have been doing a great job so
far, and I am sure you can guess
what comes next!
Load the brush with the same color
paint and carefully paint
a matching lower eye socket.
Definitely turn the head upside
down to compare the size, shape, etc.
****Looking at the head in a mirror
also helps to see things more "clearly"
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Step
#7
Dannie has requested some eyebrows.
She is in a good mood, and so we will
give her normal eyebrows that follow
the natural shape of her brow line.
Using yellow brown, lightly apply a
very thin layer of paint in a curve
that follows her natural brow line.
They should start out thicker towards
the center inside edge near the bridge
of her nose and gently taper
off in a graceful curve towards the
outside edge of each eye |
EYEBROWS!!!
Oh! The importance of eyebrows!!!!
Just as eyes are the windows into the soul,
I feel that eyebrows are the pathway that leads
to the labyrinth of our emotions.
I have this odd little habit of subconsciously
raising one
eyebrow when someone surprises me with sudden information, etc.
Just can't help it, it happens!
Well, you can take the same doll and change
her look by changing her eyebrows.
There are raised arches, furrows, sultry, sexy, angry,
surprised, sad, etc! This is one of the features that
can change your miniature doll into a miniature person!
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OKAY!!!!! Now it is time for the first firing!
Be sure your kiln is clean and free of any debris.
Loose particles in the kiln will fly around
in the air current generated by the heat.
They could land and become imbedded
on the surface of the paint ruining your lovely doll.
Fire your porcelain to cone 018 per kiln mfg Instructions.
(Sorry, can't help you here, as each kiln is different)
Hey! Meet me on the next page!
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