Eyebrows: Painting and Penciling Techniques

Another idea... paint the eyebrows in single hair strokes, then to get an "all over color effect" go back over them (once they are dry) with pastel chalk on a q-tip or brush them (in a light color of taupe, white, and 'blonde' color) . To get them even, put a rubber band around the head and use it as a guide to make them at the same level.

 

Here is a wonderful eyebrow tutorial

http://www.dollicieux.com/vol1iss5/artist.html

 

oooh, thanks for that! I never saw that while I was searching their archives!!!

 

I usually 'sketch' the lines in watercolour pencil, really faint, then go over them with thinned acrylic, leave that to dry then smudge a similar shade of pastel, in the shape of the brows, over that, quite faintly, then pick out some of the hairs in darker detail over the top of that. the layers give it a softer, more natural look. My problem is getting both sides even - I usually end up with one shorter or fatter than the other.

 

Has everyone seen this link for eyebrow templates, their use are very nicely explained. It is done by Batchix- an oldy but goody and helps you do two eyebrows that are alike.



http://www.g36.net/ocdesigns/eyebrows/

 

I use a water color pencil before I MSC, then after I get it MSC I use a flat brush and black or dark brown pastel and rub over the eyebrows, it makes them darker. If they're not dark enough for me in the end I take a 30/0 and add a few strokes with pastel mixed with liquitex extender. :3

 

Welcome

Many of the renowned faceup artists on DoA have wonderful skill with a bit of retarder, acrylic and a simple fine tipped brush. They can create sweeping eyelashes, and beautifully detailed fine haired eyebrows.

I was hoping that a few of them would step up and teach us humble DoA members, a bit in the art of painting eyelashes and eyebrows. There are beginner tutorials here and on the web. But unfortunately, not many of them go into proper detail.

Many of us can blush our own dolls, and use watercolor pencils for fine lines and eyeliner, but are willing and hungry to learn how to use acrylic paints the correct way. We lack the proper knowledge of what mediums to use, and the appropriate tools and techniques for the process.

Your individual techniques are your own, but there are a few questions that many of us have:

• What are the Right Sized Brushes and Tools for Eyelash and Eyebrow Detail and Where to Buy Them?
• What are the Brands of Acrylic Medium Used, and Where to Purchase them?
• What is the Ratio of Retarder to Acrylic Medium?
• What are the General Techniques You Use for doing Eyelashes and Eyebrows?
• & Can You Teach Us the 'Sweeping Powder onto Eyelashes and Eyebrows To Make Them Look More Natural' Trick? [There is one, I promise!]​

We know it may be a bit difficult to do, but we were hoping a few of you would be able to Take Pictures of the Process While Explaining it to us. The Doll community would be in your debt.

Thank you, & We Anxiously Await Your Help!
~ Your Humble DoA Pupils

 

Well... I can't answer all your questions, but I'll see what I can do. The brush size that most of the best faceup artists use is a 20/0 liner. The liners are important because the fibers are long, ideal for nice, long strokes for eyelashes. I haven't been able to find these locally, but you can get them online here.

Here is a great tutorial on how to paint lower lashes, and here is one on how to paint eyebrows.

 

Since no one has really answered (other then Rykaan) here I go.

Rykaan already answered the first question. the smallest brush you can find, where the tip comes to a nice sharp point. 20/0 liner is ideal.

I would say if you want a faceup that lasts use Liquitex you can purchase them in any art supply store, a basic set works fine cause you can mix most of the colors you want. You can also find them in Michaels Arts and Crafts though you find them cheaper in Pearl Paint or Ai Freedman. (A Pale Portrait Pink color is handy for lip color too)

Ratio of Thinner to Paint: this is a hard question because it depends on your tastes. if you are using Liquitex from the bottle it is best to get Soft Body that is the thinnest the company can get the arcylic and therefore the easiest for artists to use. Adding maybe two small drops of thinner should do the trick though test your mixture on the inside of the headcap before you do anything.

Though I am not a professional faceup artist, I offer a few tips concerning eyebrows and eyelashes. when you dip your brush into paint, make sure to wipe some away at the lip of the palette you are using. controlling your paint is key.

And uh, use a very light hand when doing eyebrows it is good to draw the shape in lightly with a watercolor pencil before going in. keep your strokes light and even all going in the same direction. Look at your own eyebrows for reference (thats what I did).

And for eyelashes I say use the same technique, if you want to draw them in with a watercolor pencil first and check the even-ness on each eye, do so. I tired feehanding my eyelashes... not the thing to do unless you want a more 'natural' look. Keep the amount of paint on the brush very thin no lumps of paint on the brush or it will be ruined. (I learned the hard way)

About the trick with the powder, I can't answer that one. Though I have done it with pastel chalk after my eyebrows dried. Using a regular cotton ball and lightly brushing over the eyebrows and lids. It took a few trys to get it dark enough and I sealed it... After that my dear Darrius's face was wonderful!

I hope I helped. Good luck

 

Okay. So I can paint. I can paint eyebrow hairs. I just can't seem to organise them so they look like a neat, constructed eyebrow.

I can't get the shape right, I can't get it proportionate to the face, or at the right height above the eyes. I've been studying pictures and such... but is there anything people do to help this? I've tried templates, but I still can't make the hairs seem 'organised' if that makes sense.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

What I did for Mao's vampire head is this :

First, smudge whatever color pastel you're using in the general shape of the eyebrow where you want it. Then, using a kneaded eraser, gentlely take away the excess, removing pastel to reshape the eyebrow to how you want it.

Then paint in the eyebrow hairs.

I hope that makes sense!!

 

aaaah..i've been having similar problems too i guess T_T
i dont know how to make the eyebrow look balance for both side XDDDDD;;
that..and making them 'hairs' look realistic is a bit painful too ><;

 

Agreed 100&#37;. ^_^ However, I tend to use watercolor pencil to do the hairs, blotted with a kneaded eraser. Make sure you spray a layer of MSC over the pastel outline first once you have your desired shape. Then by "drawing" in the hairs lightly with a sharp watercolor pencil, you're free to erase and tweak as needed. Hope that helps

 

Btw, there's someone on here who's put up some templates for eyebrows. I've used them myself and they're pretty good. I like using them to get the basic shape of the eyebrow.

 

If all else fails mask off the shape you want with artist tape and paint/draw lines over that.

 

I'd advise a combination of the above:
- sweep in pastel with a cotton bud where you want the eyebrows to be. Keep it vague.
- remove the excess pastel with a putty rubber to get the eyebrows down to where you want them, almost exactly.
- coat with MSC, leave to dry.
- mask the shape of the eyebrows with masking tape.
- draw/paint in eyebrow hairs.

If you're a confident ambidex, you can use one hand to draw in one eyebrow and one to draw in the other, left for left, right for right. I find that gives me nice results.

 

I'm not sure if you're using this method yet or not.. but someone once told me to hold the doll's head upside down when you do the eyebrows and you can better see the shape of the cranium and the way the eyesocket fits into it.

 

I just take my pencil and a ruler, draw a line across really LIGHTLY so my eyebrows end up the same height!
Don't make the hairs so thick! Or dark. Go for a nice soft look by lightening the colors you are using.
For the shape, if you want symetrical... draw the eyebrow shape on a piece of paper, cut it out and trace it lightly on the dolls face where you want it, then flip it over and do the other side! =D works for me

 

I do this and I recommend it. The brows look more symmetric in its arc when I do it this way. ^^

 

I found it was easier to do the hairs when you flip it upside down. I use a pastel base to get the basic shape of the brow, pencil in lightly the lines with watercolor pencil, and then paint very, very lightly over the lines until I get them dark enough to where I like them. ^^

 

I also hold the head upside down when I'm drawing in the hairs. It helps you concentrate on balance and evenness which is not what you are concentrating on when you are looking at them right-side up. When you look at them right-side up you are more or less doing them the way you interpret eyebrows to look in your minds eye. Turning things upside down helps in drawing a lot of things. It's a little trick you play with your mind so you can draw what is there as oppose to what you perceive to be there. If that makes sense....

As for the right height of the brow-I use a rubberband to help me map the correct height placement. Then I draw in a light shape with pastel.

 

Here is batchix's eyebrow website (complete with instructions and photo-tutorial on using the eyebrow templates):

http://www.g36.net/ocdesigns/eyebrows/eyebrows.html

 

A good alternative to the 'upside down' trick...look at the head in a mirror. It's an old, an very common, 2D artist trick; I have a giant mirror beside my drafting table so I can more eaily reverse images, (works wonders). Also, if you're having trouble with proportion/position, you might want to read a few on-line tutorials on drawing faces...there's always a section on eyebrow positioning.

 

Okay, Im NO expert, So i would abosloutly love it if someone would show me the best way how to do eyebrows- especailly on a resin head! XD

Please for the sake of all resins out there! spare the one i would do eyebrows on...

-Sarah~

Ps: please say i posted this in the right place...

 

batchix has an eyebrow template in her signature (still I think) you should practice on paper first to get it down before you attempt it on your doll that way you are more confident!

 

Follow the brow bone or if not, then read few tutorials. I found a few good techniques from looking at tutorials just by using pastels and water colour pencils ^^

 

I have a partially completed eyebrow tutorial :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14083142@N04/1443196910/in/set-72157602143573169/

 

Well, I'm trying to do a face-up. Well, yepp it sorta goes well. Except the brows. They never match. Nu-uh. It all just goes straight to hell.
Do you guys have some tricks on how you can make them more identical? Cause I dunno really if a doll with two different eyebrows look.. good. Well, of course it can if you paint it like that on purpouse. but.. nah :__:

 

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4059&highlight=eyebrow+template

 

Thank you

 

You can also lightly sketch the eyebrows onto the face with watercolor pencil/thinned paint. Then grab a mirror and look at its reflection. That should make the flaws more apparent.

 

I believe it was Ange, Queen of the Goofballs on ZoZ that said to do your weaker side first. That way, once you have one you like, you'll have more control drawing on the other one.

I say, and any good queen will tell you,

"Honey, eyebrows are Sisters' , not twins. They aren't supposed to be identical"!

 

I'm right handed and draw the right one first, then turn the head upside down and match it that way I do it in watercolor pencil so I can 'erase' with water if I don't like it.

 

Oh Thank you all so very much I'll try it

 

I found an interesting tutorial in Dollicieux. Hope it helps

http://www.dollicieux.com/vol1iss5/artist.html

 

I used only acrylic paint so far. But I now want to try watercolour pencils for the eyebrows. I searched the whole thread, but didn´t find an answer yet. It is about sealing the colour. What I understand from what I´ve read, I have to coat the resin first with MSC, then draw with the pencils, after that only fixing with MSC again? Does that last well? I had two dolls from Dollstown (the artist uses pastels and pencils for the face up) with the pinkwhite ureathane resin which has a very smooth surface. The eyebrows on both dolls scratched off on shipping. (on normal type resin the colour sticks better). I don´t want to happen this to my face ups. So is there a trick to seal the pencil colour? (hope my writing makes sense at all, my English knowledge comes to its limits sometimes. )

 

I've scrounged the site and I seem to get limited info on the advice I'm looking for..

1. I've been practicing for a few days getting my lines thinner and thinner with acrylic.. it looks o.k., but my lines are HORRIBLY inconsistent. Suddenly my hand will splurge out a chunky one or one which doesnt taper nicely.

What tips do people have for erradicating single lines.. or for keeping all the lines at a controlled distance / length??

2. I'm LOVING some people's eyebrows , they have 'fine & soft' slanted lines which slim out towards the end, and then they seem to shade in the base of the eyebrow with a pastel or something.. A bit like an el custom. If you know what Im on about then please tell me what the technique is! It's gorg-eo-so!

Thanks chappies!!

 

I personally find using pastels and water color pencils MUCH easier to use then the acrylics - there's more controll and if a mistake is made, just wash it off!

Usually what I do is spray the head, then use pastels to do some blushing around the eyes, lips and cheeks, then I spray again, then I get a q-tip and rub it in some pastel powder then I draw on the eybrows w/ the q-tip. I then shape the eyebrows with a kneaded eraser and then add other blushing else where that needs to be darkened. Then I spray again and draw little lines on the eyebrows with the water color pencil, add the eyeliner/lower eyelashes and then spray again! It's a long process, but layering gives the best results.

Helene has a great tutorial - let me see if I can find it.

 

you're a star.. most peeps do their lines first but i was thinking of doing a shaded area first as a template.. it's a shame i just baught 7 tones of acrylic (in browns, pinks, flesh and black).. i'm sure i'll use them one day!

 

DenaliWind does the same thing as me, so yes I suggest that! It is a lot easier and when I use acrylics, they tend to get messy and seem very blunt when it comes to eyebrows. When using watercolored pencils, and after you spray it, it seems to soften it and make it almost natural!

For eyelashes, I HATE using acrylics for some reason. It just seems very thick to me (and I'm using a VERY thin brush). So sharpening the watercolored pencils every so often also helps with how thin it is. I don't really use acrylics except for glossing and such. ^ ^; But it still works wonders!

We must have learned from the same tutorial, hahah.

 

it's such an expensive business

 

I use watercolor pencils for my dolls face ups and haven't had them come off yet, and one of my dolls is white I spray with the MSC, brush on pastel where I want the eyebrows, draw the eyebrows on, and then seal with the MSC. I also brushed on a little gloss over the top. Here's my Unoa Lusis as an example of how this turned out the first time I tried it. The only part of a face up I use acrylic for is the eyeliner. Other than that I can't control it enough.

 

Wow, thank You for all the good advice. As soon as my blank heads come in I can get started.

@ Dusty_bugs:

For acrylic lashes or eye brows I take a long brush which is normally used for painting on porcelain. Over here in Germany it is from Wanke doll supplies, but in the US You find it at " Seeley&#180;s doll supplies" .
http://www.seeleys.com/Detail.bok?no=12030
It is the middle one for the brows. It is very thin and long. It is a little difficult to get used to the length, but it makes the lines very even. These 3 brushes are all I use for paining.
This is the Volks Link I once painted. (Hey, it is long ago and my style changed, would never paint the lashes like this anymore. But it is the only close up pic I have at the moment. )

 

hopefully this is in the proper area..

now I've watched plenty of 'faceup' tutorials and such, and now I'm starting to practice on a vynol grendel doll head. Using Conte crayon and acrylic paint. Right now I don't have the money to get any fixitives but I dont mind if the head stains for now.

My question are:
How do people do eyebrows?

Also, is it ok to use normal brand artist acrylic paint? it's thick, but can be watered down with water and such.

thank you for yiu time everyone! tell me if Im in the wrong place or anything! thanks!

 

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2552

 

thanks for the thread link it interests me to

 

Thank you so much! @.@ ^^

 

Wow this is so helpful, how did I not see this earlier! Thank you everyone!

 

OH YES! An eyebrow savior page!

 

What's the easiesr way to paint the eyebrows evenly?
Anyything will help
~Amara

 

Use a mirror while you work and check the symmetry with every step

 

I do a better job of getting the eyebrows even when I hold the head upside-down. I also find a rubber eraser is nice to gently correct my pastel base layer for them.

I do my eyebrows with a pastel background and watercolour pencil detailing.

 

I agree with thothep, do the underlying color in pastel, that way you can use an eraser to make the shape even. Then, seal and use watercolor pastels or paint to create the finer lines. Refer to helene's nude faceup tutorial for photo examples of this.

 

Thanks for all the tips!

 

I have also tried use eraser, but witch one can I better to use?
my eraser paste always on the skin...

 

use a kneaded eraser--it's absolutely the best to get the job done you can get them at every art store-prett sure wallmart has it too

 

Batchix had some great eyebrow templates and a tutorial up a while back... I'll see if I can find a link.

Found them!

The tutorial is here: http://www.g36.net/ocdesigns/eyebrows/eyebrows.html

And the eyebrow templates are here:
http://www.g36.net/ocdesigns/eyebrows/eyebrows1.gif
http://www.g36.net/ocdesigns/eyebrows/eyebrows2.gif

Using the templates is a great way to get the eyebrows even.

 

Ahh those eyebrow tamplates are great Thanks so much!

 

When I got Yuki (Bluefairy Tinyfairy Xiao, my first BJD), I didn't like her default eyebrows so I added hair into them with a watercolor pencil. You can see this is beginner's work, but I am still very happy with them as they look nicer at the doll's scale:



When I did my Unoa's faceup about a year later, I had bought good quality acrylic paint (Golden brand)... to find out I really SUCK at painting with acrylic! I thought that, since acrylic is water-based, you could quickly wipe out mistakes with water but it didn't work. So, I decided to switch back to watercolor pencils and I'm pretty happy with the end results. If you are not happy with your work, just take a wet Q-tip, wipe it off and start over.

I painted the eyebrows and eyelashes with watercolors on my Unoa sist madoromi faceplate:



And on my sist faceplate I lightly drew them directly onto the resin (I like how they look softer after coating with MSC):



The drawn eyebrows don't look so different from the painted eyebrows, maybe because I did two layers of hairs with a coat of MSC in between. I find with eyebrows (and this is true with the whole process of doing a faceup), you have to be patient and take as much time as necessary. I takes me hours to complete a faceup, but that's probably because I don't have much experience.

 

Thanks all this stuff helps tremedously! I feel a little more confident about doing it myself now!