Supplies MSC semi gloss experience?

Hi! I don’t have experience with using MSC on dolls, but I’m a visual artist and have done a lot of sculpture and 3D art!

Here’s my advice:

Use one level less shiny than you want; that way you can add highlights with gloss to draw the eye around. Satin finish with bits of gloss will have the same effect you’re looking for without looking like an unnatural sheen.

Another thing to consider is this: the more reflective the surface, the more noticeable smaller imperfections in texture. Using a less shiny finish and highlighting with gloss can help you pick and choose what areas to illuminate. You can always build up glossiness, but it’s harder to tone it down once it’s already there, so opting for a satin finish gives you more control.

(This is just my personal experience! You might find semi-gloss to really work for you, in which case, go for it!)

Edit: Just wanted to mention that I personally prefer satin finish for face makeup. Matte is a little too chalky for me and I don’t care for the texture.

 

If you want more skin-like look, it's good to have some diversity in textures. I usually dab and blend a bit of gloss on some spots of the faceup with a makeup sponge - some bits are subtly shiny, some bits stay more matte, just like one's face is more greasy in some patches and more dry in others.

I think with MSC semi-gloss the whole face would look too strangely shiny but some light irregular spritzes of it on top of layers of matte could give you the effect you're looking for

 

I have used MSC gloss on a few repaints I've done on 1:6 action figures, which heads are much smaller than most dolls of this kind, with no issues. I have also used it on my smallest humanoid BJD so far, with the results being exactly what I wanted them to be. I just use a light layer without going over the same area twice, just one quick layer. If I want to add more, I just add more gloss after the first one has dried completely, or add a layer of matte MSC, if I feel it's too glossy looking. However, most of the time it's not that glossy (IMHO), with just the one extremely light layer of MSC gloss. I've never tried the semi-gloss one, so I can't say how that will work. But I'll guess you'll probably be able to more heavy-handed with that one. I always use the gloss as a final layer of the fixative, and haven't had any issues, other than it being glossier on the smoother areas (like under eyes, nose tip, etc. but I don't actually mind).

Here's my 28cm mature tiny, MYou Bettina male.




I have to use harsh lighting, because I suck at taking photos, and my cellphone's camera is older than dust, but here's an extreme close up. It doesn't look as sweaty IRL, as it does on here:


Here are some of my OT, 1:6 and other tinier headed doll repaints. You'll probably won't be interested in, but you can see the most recent ones are all sealed as a final layer with MSC gloss. The ones with less realistic detailed sculpted eyes, are shinier in the smoother eye area. Which does bother me, but I'm lazy to fix it, but I'll probably will someday... DX

Hope that helps, good luck! (:

 

The one doll I had with it looked permanently sweaty so I went over it with matt to get rid of the sheen

Teddy

 

I use it on all dark tan heads because it stops the matte MSC from looking ashy on that colour. I only use one layer of the semi-gloss though, the rest is done with matte. That way I get a natural look. If things really get too shiny, you can always go over that lightly with matte spray again. I've not seen any differences in the results between head sizes.

 

Could you provide a pic of what the semi gloss on your dark tan heads looks like?

 

Sorry, I can't. I sold my last dark tan doll 3 years ago. My sibling uses the same technique though, maybe they can provide you with a good picture. Tagging @Ophiaca! Hope it's alright

 

Hello to both of you! I can provide photos, but I use MSC gloss as the first layer, not semi gloss. I use this on all tan dolls and am really happy with the results, the tan looks just like it's supposed to.

I picked two of my darkest dolls, both iple ebony tan (please ignore my mediocre faceup skills):


This is a Taregan, freshly blushed


And this is an Ashanti with a face up that's several years old.
Please let me know if the photos don't show up.

I hope this is of help?

 

Ive used semi gloss on darker skinned dolls who might look too ashy with matte finish. I liked the results I got. Make sure the can isn't cold, use as directed and not in humid conditions, and you should get good results!

 

Your faceups look lovely~ If you use msc gloss on the first layer, what do you use for the subsequent layers?

 

Thank you very much, @bahboh! I just use UV cut flat for the following layers, like I do for every faceup. Once I'm done, the gloss of the first layer is usually no longer noticeable or only mildly.

 

thank you!