Monday, January 16, 2012

My First Repaint

First off, let me make this perfectly clear: I am not posting these before and after images of Fashionista Nikki because I am proud of the end result. I am just sharing my first and probably last attempt at doll repainting where facial features are concerned. Painting is not one of my strong points, but I have longed to test the waters of repainting a doll's eyes.  Finally, I did it.

Nikki's original brown eye color was fine, but the blue eyeshadow above and below her eyes was not very appealing to me. Pink lips on dark skinned dolls is also one of my pet peeves. Because her Fashionista body may ultimately be used on another doll, I didn't mind taking a chance on damaging the head with my inexperience at painting using paints and improvising with my trusty brown ultra thin Sharpie marker. (My hand can better control a marker than a paint brush.)



Here's how she looked before.

Nikki now



Above are side-by-side comparison images. Pretty scary, huh? Scary enough for me to move back into my lane of "doll collector/historian" and put the paint brushes and acrylic paints down. 

dbg

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14 comments:

  1. I happen to agree with you on the fact that blue eyeshadow and hot pink /purple lips is not very appealing on dark skinned dolls! The sharpie thing cracks me up! I have to get me one of those just to try that out. As far as your repaint, don't let the repaint of one doll discourage you from trying it again. My first twenty or so were a disaster lol. Practice does make perfect or close to it to keep trying LOL :) she does look unique and that is where it transform to an OOAK. Not bad.

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  2. I keep hearing about these amazing Sharpie paint pens. I need to get me some. I think she is astounding for a first re-paint. My first re-paint got erased. lol I like the new choice of colors on her too. Very complimentary.

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  3. Not bad at all Debbie. I love how you did her eyebrows. You should see my first repaint and you will pat yourself on the back lol! Mine was atrocious. That is a great idea to practice on the dolls you plan to rebody. I will keep that in mind.

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  4. Thanks, ladies for your comments: "Not bad; unique." "Astounding." Not bad.

    It's reassuring to know that your first repaint attempts were also not exactly works of art, but as my close friend often says: Nothing beats a failure but a try. I tried.

    Cat - Make sure the Sharpie is ultra fine tipped. Office Depot and Michaels usually stocks an array of delicious colors. There are also paint pens, but I have never found one with an ultra fine tip.

    :-)

    dbg

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  5. I like Nikki's new eyebrows. The only "repainting" I've done is with a Sharpie but I may have to take the plunge soon.

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  6. Before I make my comments, I want to tell everyone that Debbie and I are really good friends. I joke with her a lot.

    First of all, cudos to you for jumping in. {applause, applause). I'm with Chynadoll. Don't let the first one discourage you. How many times did it take to get KFC chicken? A lot. So keep trying. You did remind me that I need to paint Dallas Cowboys lips. I am reluctant. Not because I think I will mess them up, but there are some dolls that I think should be left original and she is one of them. I can't believe how much I love that doll.

    My final comment.... Were you going for the hooker look?

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  7. LOL@ Vanessa! I can't help it if I have a heavy hand.

    I showed the doll to artist-husband who was engrossed in something else and really didn't pay much attention to the doll, but he did make a one word comment of "makeup." (I think he thought she was made that way.) I said, "I repainted the eyes."

    He looked again and was silent (probably thinking, "you shouldn't have.") LOL!

    I'd like to see him do better and may challenge him.

    dbg

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  8. Thanks Limbe Dolls -- I used the Sharpie for her eyebrows.

    dbg

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  9. Vanessa -- I guess your assessment is spot on.

    I just showed the doll to Husband again along with my original Artsy Fashionista for comparison.

    Me: "Do you think you could do better?"

    Showing him Artsy:
    Me: This is what she looked like before.

    Him: Now she looks like a street-walking ho. At least this one (Artsy) looks like a real person without all that heavy a$$ makeup.


    dbg

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    Replies
    1. LMAO @ your husband's comments! I think that you did well for your first time. I haven't tried to repaint a doll yet, but I will soon.

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    2. He's a mess, Roxanne... rarely bites his tongue. As Wendy Williams says, he says it like he means it.

      dbg

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  10. You did it again. Tears are streaming down my face from intense laughter. Laughing too hard to type.....

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  11. Congratz Debbie!!
    For A First Step,You Made A Good Job Debbie!!
    Even because it´s not something easy to do!!
    I guess you must to try more because you will discover a new talent.
    I´m seriuos!!
    Congratz!
    (I´d Love To See More Jobs!!)

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  12. Thanks, Jorge; you're too kind. I'm actually reworking her now. I'll share in a few more days.

    dbg

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