this two part tutorial is awesome! I really really want a bjd but was too nervous about the painting they'll need and care, ect, but now I'm totally confident that I can handle it. I'm a traditional artist and own most of this material already! Thank you very much you're awesome. I'm so buying a doll now. :D
+TheAlmightyPossum Oh yes, please don't hesitate, I think you will love having a doll! ^^ And thank you for your comment. If you ever have questions, please don't hesitate to ask me. And if you think you would like to have this info in ebook form then I have one on Amazon with a paperback version coming soon. Thanks again and good luck!!! www.amazon.com/How-Rock-BJD-Face-Up-Beginners-ebook/dp/B00NTVJDKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455994040&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+rock+at+bjd+face+up
Thank You for posting this! I just ordered my first BJD and one of the things that made me hesitant about the hobby was the face up. It seemed overwhelming since I don't have much drawing or painting talent, but you really inspired me! I can do my own makeup so I can do this. So while I did order a factory face up, I also purchased a practice head off ebay. You gave me confidence that while it might take a lot of practice and a little frustration I can rock this! Also I loved your book it was easily as engaging as the video!
redrobin1225 Aw thanks so much for your support and patronage! I'm really glad that I was able to help! The face up seemed really daunting for me when I first started researching this too, but it becomes a piece of cake after you get used to the process. Buying the practice head was a good move! I wish I still had one but I sold it lol. I want to buy another one. XD Thanks for dropping in and posting such a nice comment! And as always feel free to ask questions! ^^
You're welcome! There's more to come, I'm thinking of making another part to this series which explains a lot more about technique. Not sure how it will turn out, but we'll see.
I appreciate the tips. You've made it so easy. I've been scared to try but I was given 2 heads that came with my dolls so I plan to practice on them before I start working on my lovelies. ^^ I LOVE Prismacolor Pastels. They've been my addiction since high school and I bought 2 boxes. LOL I've worked with them before so I'll definitely give it a go. ~Peace!~
I've never used Testors but I think a lot of people like it. Don't be too afraid to try it out--hopefully it will come off with the brush cleaner. I believe the head is described as "soft resin." It is not flexible like vinyl, but it is really light and thin--not dense like regular resin. I used the exact same stuff to paint this head as I did the regular resin head and it all works. This head is good for experimentation ;). But for some reason, I enjoy painting the regular resin heads more...
I feel like I actually can do this. I thought that I had to buy a lot of stuff but surprisingly I already have the most. Your videos are super helpful and fun to watch!
An idea I had was to buy a cheap resin Obitsu head as a test head. You can see how different products look and feel on it. You can always use the Brush Cleaner to remove the test faceup and see how well it erases. You can use the head multiple times any time you want to test something. After a while when you have learned everything you want to know, you can give it a real faceup and enjoy it as another doll. An even cheaper method is to make little practice marks on your doll's head cap.
Go for it! People are always asking about alternative supplies like that Testors sealant. If you could show alternative supplies like that to help people make up their minds that would be totally helpful!
I use testors paint and it is amazing it works on plasters and resins and there are so many amazing colors I use them all the time as well as my fiance.
Thank you so much for this video. I was pretty apprehensive about doing face ups and was uncertain about what exactly I needed to use. It's true that you are able to use different types of things, but it's nice to know what IS going to work for the first time and try experimenting if you want to later. :)
your video has inspired me to make a video where I show the materials that I use for face-ups and body blushing, and talk more about the brands, where you get them, how to use them and prices because sometimes we forget to explain that for new people in the hobby.
It all depends on what you prefer :) Basically only you can say wether it's too soft or firm. I like to use smaller synthetic brushes that are strong enough to hold their shape for small eye and lip areas for more control. For a wide-range area like cheeks, you could possibly use a super-soft fluffy brush. I think the only thing not to get are the coarse, off-white, natural hog hair brushes which are for oil painting. Synthetic are generally used for water based paints. Thanks for your comment!
Well acrylic is basically liquid plastic so I think you're fine there. I've never heard of that possibility. The cheapest paint I've ever used is System 3 and it works fine for some people (I just prefer not to use it on dolls lol). As for pastels, just stay away from "oil pastels," it will look and feel just like a crayon. If you get "soft" or what I have, "nu-pastels" and it is chalky, then you'll be fine. Even cheap brands are ok. If you're still unsure, you can always check for ingredients.
I use Mr Super Clear sealant. The Volks company also sells something similar and some people like to use something called Testors Dullcote. But I can't give a review on those things--never used them before.
I've never tried Reeves, but don't be afraid to test it. I assume they all work. The difference of Nupastel is that you can use it as watercolor by touching a wet brush to the stick. You can't do that with the other one I have. But by using them both dry with MSC it's the same result. Basically don't worry about spending any more money until you find that you are totally unhappy with what you have. Because what you have might work just as well :)
...The texture on Gretel head is different, but that shouldn't hurt your practice or anything. I've painted this head, bobobie resin heads, and tiny vinyl obitsu heads, and I use the exact same process. The only difference is the feel of each of them. You might like one better than the other, but the result will be the same. Hope that made sense lol!
Thanks for letting me know! Sounds like Makie doll is right up my alley! This might be a dumb question but are they bjd's? Perhaps anyone reading these comments would also like to know lol.
watchyourpeanutbutter oppstoolate, I hope you see this as there was no reply button by your comment. Use Watercolor pencils! They are the only ones that work. I heard someone else say that the normal color pencils will have a negative effect, or it just won't work. ;)
your videos are so helpful!!! thanks so much for the advice. i really want to try to do my own faceup so hopefully i can track down most of these items. ;D i already know MSC is hard to find though...where do you typically get yours? oh and do any mediums tend to run or streak when you do the sealant at the end? i think i'll be best at watercolor pencils and pastels, but i kind of of worry that the powdery pastels will streak when i do the final seal... i'm probably overthinking things though XD thanks again for posting these awesome videos! ♥
I get my MSC at either ebay (takes a long time to ship to USA from China!) or a website called the junky spot. Nope, I have not noticed any running or streaking. Just hold the can about 12 inches or more away from the head while spraying. You want to "mist" the head--don't try to soak it and there should be no streaking. I also want to make sure you know to spray the head BEFORE doing any color and also in between each layer of pastels you put down. Thanks so much for your support, I really appreciate it!!! And stay tuned because as soon as it gets warm at my house, I want to improve my faceup video qualities and make new ones!
Do you possibly have a tutorial for just eye-make up? I've figured pretty much everything out but eye make up. I can't get it to stop looking like my doll got into a fight with a raccoon and lost. Thanks!
Sam T. Haha, you're funny! I haven't made one yet, but you're not the first to ask. ^^ I'll have to get on that soon! If you want some quick advice right now, I can tell you to go on the net and look at a lot of photos of eye make up, both real and dolly. You can save the pics on a handheld device or print them out to have with you, because I always find it helpful to just look at something as I work. It lends moral support if nothing else. Another trick you can do is to find a face up on the net that you really like and zoom in as far as you can (hopefully it will be a high resolution photo lol). Look real close to try to decipher which are painted lines, pencil lines, and how the pastel colors are compiled. And don't worry about being a "copycat," because "looking" is generally how artists learn. When I was in college, the art teacher told us to get as close to the paintings in the museums as possible to study and discover how the paintings were done. So remember: get some reference material, and look REALLY close at face up photos to break it down to the basic components of how it was made. ^^ Hope that helps, but please ask more questions if you need! :D
Would you just recommend synthetic brushes? My mother was an artist and said each brush had its purpose, but she never taught me them (I don't know) but I know that sable brushes are softer than synthetic... But can they be too soft? Thanks in advance.
How do you feel about Testors Dullcote? I can't get MSC where I live, but Testors is readily available. Also, is that head you have there resin? I was looking at the Obitsu Gretel head at Junkyspot and I think that head is vinyl...I wouldn't want to have something work well on a vinyl head, but hurt a resin one. Or are they not that different? I would rather experiment on a cheap resin head before trying anything on my actual doll's head. C:
Is there a difference in the quality of soft pastel brands? I see you bought Nupastel and Artist dry pastels, do they have different efforts? I bought Reeves Artist soft pastels and wonder if that's a decent quality or should I go get the more expensive brand?
Not really, but I could upload it to my flickr in the near future, I'll send you a private message when I do. This head here turned out to be just your typical cutesy doll head lol.
I love your videos. have you looked at makie dolls? makie.me/makie/design/ You make the doll online, and can do whatever you want to it when you get it in the mail. I would like to do a faceup on the doll I will soon purchase. It would be great if you did a faceup for a makie doll.
Thanks for the video! I think you answer some of my questions. You kept it real!!! You talk about faceup on a budget!
this two part tutorial is awesome! I really really want a bjd but was too nervous about the painting they'll need and care, ect, but now I'm totally confident that I can handle it. I'm a traditional artist and own most of this material already! Thank you very much you're awesome. I'm so buying a doll now. :D
+TheAlmightyPossum Oh yes, please don't hesitate, I think you will love having a doll! ^^ And thank you for your comment. If you ever have questions, please don't hesitate to ask me. And if you think you would like to have this info in ebook form then I have one on Amazon with a paperback version coming soon. Thanks again and good luck!!! www.amazon.com/How-Rock-BJD-Face-Up-Beginners-ebook/dp/B00NTVJDKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455994040&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+rock+at+bjd+face+up
Thank You for posting this! I just ordered my first BJD and one of the things that made me hesitant about the hobby was the face up. It seemed overwhelming since I don't have much drawing or painting talent, but you really inspired me! I can do my own makeup so I can do this. So while I did order a factory face up, I also purchased a practice head off ebay. You gave me confidence that while it might take a lot of practice and a little frustration I can rock this! Also I loved your book it was easily as engaging as the video!
redrobin1225 Aw thanks so much for your support and patronage! I'm really glad that I was able to help! The face up seemed really daunting for me when I first started researching this too, but it becomes a piece of cake after you get used to the process. Buying the practice head was a good move! I wish I still had one but I sold it lol. I want to buy another one. XD Thanks for dropping in and posting such a nice comment! And as always feel free to ask questions! ^^
You're welcome! There's more to come, I'm thinking of making another part to this series which explains a lot more about technique. Not sure how it will turn out, but we'll see.
Thank you, thank you, for all your helpful advise!
You are a good teacher/encourager!! Thanks :)!!
I appreciate the tips. You've made it so easy. I've been scared to try but I was given 2 heads that came with my dolls so I plan to practice on them before I start working on my lovelies. ^^ I LOVE Prismacolor Pastels. They've been my addiction since high school and I bought 2 boxes. LOL I've worked with them before so I'll definitely give it a go. ~Peace!~
I've never used Testors but I think a lot of people like it. Don't be too afraid to try it out--hopefully it will come off with the brush cleaner. I believe the head is described as "soft resin." It is not flexible like vinyl, but it is really light and thin--not dense like regular resin. I used the exact same stuff to paint this head as I did the regular resin head and it all works. This head is good for experimentation ;). But for some reason, I enjoy painting the regular resin heads more...
I feel like I actually can do this. I thought that I had to buy a lot of stuff but surprisingly I already have the most. Your videos are super helpful and fun to watch!
Oh yes, it's always nice to already have some of the stuff needed! ^^ Thanks for your nice comment! ^-^
I like that bit about lines...not heard that before. :)
An idea I had was to buy a cheap resin Obitsu head as a test head. You can see how different products look and feel on it. You can always use the Brush Cleaner to remove the test faceup and see how well it erases. You can use the head multiple times any time you want to test something. After a while when you have learned everything you want to know, you can give it a real faceup and enjoy it as another doll. An even cheaper method is to make little practice marks on your doll's head cap.
Go for it! People are always asking about alternative supplies like that Testors sealant. If you could show alternative supplies like that to help people make up their minds that would be totally helpful!
Whoa! I just saw it and that IS really neat! The virtual design tour is really cool!
I use testors paint and it is amazing it works on plasters and resins and there are so many amazing colors I use them all the time as well as my fiance.
Thank you so much for this video. I was pretty apprehensive about doing face ups and was uncertain about what exactly I needed to use. It's true that you are able to use different types of things, but it's nice to know what IS going to work for the first time and try experimenting if you want to later. :)
Yeah, I was hoping I could at least help people get started who don't know anything about this stuff. ^^ Thanks for your comment!!!
your video has inspired me to make a video where I show the materials that I use for face-ups and body blushing, and talk more about the brands, where you get them, how to use them and prices because sometimes we forget to explain that for new people in the hobby.
It all depends on what you prefer :) Basically only you can say wether it's too soft or firm. I like to use smaller synthetic brushes that are strong enough to hold their shape for small eye and lip areas for more control. For a wide-range area like cheeks, you could possibly use a super-soft fluffy brush. I think the only thing not to get are the coarse, off-white, natural hog hair brushes which are for oil painting. Synthetic are generally used for water based paints. Thanks for your comment!
I want as many colors as possible! Think of all the color mixing possibilities :D
thank you for this. it is exactly want i was looking for. i was so scared to paint my doll, but, you make it seem do-able :)
Thank you for watching! Good luck and remember to practice lots! ^^
Well acrylic is basically liquid plastic so I think you're fine there. I've never heard of that possibility. The cheapest paint I've ever used is System 3 and it works fine for some people (I just prefer not to use it on dolls lol). As for pastels, just stay away from "oil pastels," it will look and feel just like a crayon. If you get "soft" or what I have, "nu-pastels" and it is chalky, then you'll be fine. Even cheap brands are ok. If you're still unsure, you can always check for ingredients.
I use Mr Super Clear sealant. The Volks company also sells something similar and some people like to use something called Testors Dullcote. But I can't give a review on those things--never used them before.
I've never tried Reeves, but don't be afraid to test it. I assume they all work. The difference of Nupastel is that you can use it as watercolor by touching a wet brush to the stick. You can't do that with the other one I have. But by using them both dry with MSC it's the same result. Basically don't worry about spending any more money until you find that you are totally unhappy with what you have. Because what you have might work just as well :)
Awesome color mixing ideas!! :D
...The texture on Gretel head is different, but that shouldn't hurt your practice or anything. I've painted this head, bobobie resin heads, and tiny vinyl obitsu heads, and I use the exact same process. The only difference is the feel of each of them. You might like one better than the other, but the result will be the same. Hope that made sense lol!
You are a good singer
I use nail art brushes. There are reeeeaallly tiny thin brushes, and flared-out brushes. And all of them are soft!
+Pandora180180 Sounds awesome! I should check them out soon! ^^
MaidenTrollBlood
I got mine online, a bunch of brushes for about 2$ so they'rer nice and cheap and work really well!
Wow thanks!!!!!!!!!!! ^^
Exactly what I use!
At my local hobby lobby store. I'm not sure if it will be the same for you, but I found mine right next to the polymer clay stuff.
Thanks for letting me know! Sounds like Makie doll is right up my alley! This might be a dumb question but are they bjd's? Perhaps anyone reading these comments would also like to know lol.
yep. I would send you a link but youtube won't let me lol.
watchyourpeanutbutter oppstoolate, I hope you see this as there was no reply button by your comment. Use Watercolor pencils! They are the only ones that work. I heard someone else say that the normal color pencils will have a negative effect, or it just won't work. ;)
your videos are so helpful!!! thanks so much for the advice. i really want to try to do my own faceup so hopefully i can track down most of these items. ;D i already know MSC is hard to find though...where do you typically get yours? oh and do any mediums tend to run or streak when you do the sealant at the end? i think i'll be best at watercolor pencils and pastels, but i kind of of worry that the powdery pastels will streak when i do the final seal... i'm probably overthinking things though XD thanks again for posting these awesome videos! ♥
I get my MSC at either ebay (takes a long time to ship to USA from China!) or a website called the junky spot. Nope, I have not noticed any running or streaking. Just hold the can about 12 inches or more away from the head while spraying. You want to "mist" the head--don't try to soak it and there should be no streaking. I also want to make sure you know to spray the head BEFORE doing any color and also in between each layer of pastels you put down. Thanks so much for your support, I really appreciate it!!! And stay tuned because as soon as it gets warm at my house, I want to improve my faceup video qualities and make new ones!
Do you possibly have a tutorial for just eye-make up? I've figured pretty much everything out but eye make up. I can't get it to stop looking like my doll got into a fight with a raccoon and lost.
Thanks!
Sam T. Haha, you're funny! I haven't made one yet, but you're not the first to ask. ^^ I'll have to get on that soon! If you want some quick advice right now, I can tell you to go on the net and look at a lot of photos of eye make up, both real and dolly. You can save the pics on a handheld device or print them out to have with you, because I always find it helpful to just look at something as I work. It lends moral support if nothing else. Another trick you can do is to find a face up on the net that you really like and zoom in as far as you can (hopefully it will be a high resolution photo lol). Look real close to try to decipher which are painted lines, pencil lines, and how the pastel colors are compiled. And don't worry about being a "copycat," because "looking" is generally how artists learn. When I was in college, the art teacher told us to get as close to the paintings in the museums as possible to study and discover how the paintings were done. So remember: get some reference material, and look REALLY close at face up photos to break it down to the basic components of how it was made. ^^ Hope that helps, but please ask more questions if you need! :D
But how do you know if the acrylics or pastels have oils in them, or fillers that are oily? Especially cheap brands...
Would you just recommend synthetic brushes? My mother was an artist and said each brush had its purpose, but she never taught me them (I don't know) but I know that sable brushes are softer than synthetic... But can they be too soft? Thanks in advance.
That's college knowledge lol. Taking college art classes can be a real challenge as those art teachers are riding our butts about lines LOL!
How do you feel about Testors Dullcote? I can't get MSC where I live, but Testors is readily available.
Also, is that head you have there resin? I was looking at the Obitsu Gretel head at Junkyspot and I think that head is vinyl...I wouldn't want to have something work well on a vinyl head, but hurt a resin one. Or are they not that different? I would rather experiment on a cheap resin head before trying anything on my actual doll's head. C:
Is there a difference in the quality of soft pastel brands? I see you bought Nupastel and Artist dry pastels, do they have different efforts? I bought Reeves Artist soft pastels and wonder if that's a decent quality or should I go get the more expensive brand?
What did you use over the pastels to protect what you just blushed etc. on the face? So when you touch the face it wont come off? :x
That's just optional glitter if you want your doll to sparkle *_*
ALL the colors? ALL OF THEM?!
can i use normal color pencils? or do i have to get special ones
Use the ones called "watercolor pencils." ;)
Where did you get the pearl ex? :)
Not me!
Is there a link or picture of this face completed?
Not really, but I could upload it to my flickr in the near future, I'll send you a private message when I do. This head here turned out to be just your typical cutesy doll head lol.
I love your videos. have you looked at makie dolls? makie.me/makie/design/
You make the doll online, and can do whatever you want to it when you get it in the mail. I would like to do a faceup on the doll I will soon purchase. It would be great if you did a faceup for a makie doll.