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original BJD "Briar" by Sleetwealth

Jun 22, 2005

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    1. Hi,
      Please, take a look at my dolls sculpt and let me know what you think so far. She is sculpted out of prosculpt brand polymer clay and will be cast in resin.
      Im working on her body parts now,but she is to be 16" when complete.

      http://www.geocities.com/sleetwealth/BJD.html
      Nita
       
      #1 brushwithlife, Jun 22, 2005
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    2. you have to post a pic before we can look at it : )
       
      #2 cheshiretiffy, Jun 22, 2005
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    3. wo, that is a very interesting head cap shape.
      the sculpting job is abosolutly amazing. you put me to much shame. I really have nothing much to critque about it. the forehead looks big in hte first picuter, bu ti think the angel is to blame because it looks jsut fine in the profile, thoguh the head looks a bit far back past the ears but argf..you details *drools*.
       
      #3 Bird of Hermes, Jun 22, 2005
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    4. I think you may be right about the length of the head.Im adapting to odd anime proportion.. looks much better when placed on the neck post. Even so I think I will shave a bit off.Thank you for the sugesstion!

      Nita
       
      #4 brushwithlife, Jun 22, 2005
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    5. Beautiful! I'm glad I pestered you for pics XD
       
      #5 cheshiretiffy, Jun 22, 2005
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    6. Hee hee thanks
       
      #6 brushwithlife, Jun 22, 2005
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    7. I really like her! She's very lovely. Can't wait to see her when she is finished. :)
       
      #7 zalem, Jun 22, 2005
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    8. I think she's beautiful. :daisy

      I really look forward to seeing her complete. Will she be mature bodied (i.e. large bust, small waist)?
       
      #8 Marilyn, Jun 22, 2005
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    9. Wow! She's gorgeous!!! :D :D Amazing sculpt!

      I can't wait to see her finished! Please post your progress...

      :daisy
       
      #9 Totalele, Jun 22, 2005
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    10. Thanks all :grin:
      she will have a maturish body.Teen aged I guess. Im using the dollfie dream and Lishe body as a basic inspiration,but dont want the breasts quite so exagerated.
      Im hoping that I can get her to fit Ashton drake Gene or Tonner Tyler Wentworth clothes patterns .


      Nita
       
      #10 brushwithlife, Jun 22, 2005
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    11. Wow! She's beautiful! I can't wait to see her finished.
       
      #11 Heather, Jun 22, 2005
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    12. Thats lovely! Her head looks pretty deep, very skull shaped :daisy
       
      #12 PookieNoodle, Jun 22, 2005
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    13. Shes BEAUTIFUL! :o
       
      #13 Mousey, Jun 22, 2005
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    14. Very beautiful, looks very well made!! But I agree about the length of the skull, you may have problems finding wigs that fit.
       
      #14 twigling, Jun 22, 2005
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    15. beautiful *__*
       
      #15 annetta, Jun 22, 2005
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    16. Hi Nita :grin: Your working in my favorite medium (prosculpt) is that the light (fairy) skin-tone?
      Or the normal?...I think she looks great...wonderful detail... great headcap design too, I usually don't care for girl dolls...but she is so very pretty..I just had to comment on her:grin:
       
      #16 Cursed, Jun 22, 2005
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    17. Oh, she's beautiful! Please keep us posted on your work!
       
      #17 Setsuna, Jun 22, 2005
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    18. She is lovely!!

      that face is great, a beautifull sculpt,.. i like the way you did the headcap as well :grin:
       
      #18 Donn, Jun 22, 2005
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    19. I love that face! ^_^ That's beautiful!
       
      #19 Mandiiv, Jun 23, 2005
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    20. Absolutely gorgeous...
       
      #20 Akamar, Jun 23, 2005
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    21. Wow, so beautiful!
       
      #21 Boudicca, Jun 23, 2005
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    22. that looks awesome! Very well sculpt, the nose and all... very well done, I must say the head cap is great, seems very steady compared to most others, but I do agree with some of the comments made. The head seems to wide towards the back, might be hard to find wigs that would fit.

      I can't wait to see more... it's such a gorgeous piece
       
      #22 Kasita, Jun 23, 2005
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    23. Oh, she's gorgeous. Are you going to carve out the eyes so that she can have changable ones, or leave them as they are an make it so they are painted on? And is she going to be offered for sale or be a OOAK just for you?

      I love her cheekbones! And her EYE SHAPE!

      Hmmm...she'd make a great Elfquest elf..... :D
       
      #23 Kiyakotari, Jun 23, 2005
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    24. Uh wow. Thanks everyone for the replies!

      I am shaving the scull back . It never occured to me wigs might not fit!
      I was planing to cut the eye holes out so that she can have glass eyes but perhaps I should leave the eye in there so that customizers can decide wether they want painted or not. Another thing I didnt think through!
      The prosculpt is the prosculpt light color. Its actuall like a pale pink porcelain color,but in the photos it looks yellowish.

      If all goes well I would sell her in limited editions. At this point I want to see how taxing it will be to develop a professional product before I commit.

      If she turns out good I will definalty have to do a larger one that can wear the dollfie fashions! I also cant wait to try a boy elf!

      Nita
       
      #24 brushwithlife, Jun 23, 2005
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    25. Ah! I didn't know you were going to sell this doll! Oooh, ^_^ I'm definately watching this thread! I'd love to own one when they become available!
       
      #25 Mandiiv, Jun 23, 2005
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    26. Wow, if you sell her I really want one. Especially if she can wear Gene/Tyler clothes. I have so many lovely Gene dresses. I personally would prefer to buy a doll with eye holes, but that's just me. She's so pretty. :daisy
       
      #26 Heather, Jun 23, 2005
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    27. I put more pictures up so yall can see the progress on the torso.

      http://www.geocities.com/sleetwealth/BJD2.html

      Waist must be tinier though if she's to fit Gene's stuff. Man that chick has a teensy waist!
      Please ignore the grimy clay ... this torso has been scraped ,carved,sanded, layered and cured so many times.
      Dont get over eager to buy I have to find out if this will actually work! Ive never poured resin before and dont want to promise and not deliver.

      BTW thanks goes out to Donn for blazin the trail ,inspiration and for advice.

      Nita
       
      #27 brushwithlife, Jun 23, 2005
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    28. First, i want to say that i love the face! She is so pretty!
      but, i don't think she would be stable with a waist as tiny as gene's. Gene is made of plastic and not jointed, i would worry the waist would chip or not be sturdy if you tried to make it that small. that, and there are TONS of dolls with body types like gene, personally i prefer the more realistic proportions of most of the asian ball joint dolls. I like her body how you have it now.
      second, personally, i prefer open eyeholes. that's just personal preferance, paintable eyes are cool but i think glass eyes look better and are more versitile. maybe you could cast two versions, one open eyed and one close eyed?

      anyway, that is just my 2 cents. keep up the lovely work, and if you don't like my suggestions, nevermind them, she's your doll so you have to be happy with her!

      ~Erin
       
      #28 eptrauma, Jun 23, 2005
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    29. Such a beautiful sculpt, definitely great work!

      I also have to agree with eptrauma, if the doll has a solid waist she might not be so stable if it's made too tiny. The poor girl wouldn't be able to stand up straight!

      I also would like to see two head sculpts - one with eyes open and one with eyes closed. Give the person buying her more options ( I personally prefer the eye open look but that's just me...)

      And if you're planning on possibly selling this doll, how much would she be?
       
      #29 Diefbaby, Jun 23, 2005
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    30. You're doing a great job. Keep it up.
       
      #30 cheshiretiffy, Jun 24, 2005
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    31. I very much appreciate the sugestions and advice on the Gene waist issue. Id rather avoid goofs so I guess I will let her waist be more natural. I do prefer the looks of the natural waist,but thought it would be important to have clothes readily available that will fit her. Maybe she will fit Sharmins clothes or MSD. I wish I had one of these to compare with!
      But this is why I posted her here to find out what her lil problems might be from people who own ball jointed dolls!

      Im a professional dollmaker BTW. You can look at my other dolls on my website.http://www.geocities.com/sleetwealth
      So yes, selling her is a real possibility. I would like to make her limited because I dont want to do the same doll till I am sick of it,but I was thinking I could reuse the body and make new heads. I guesstimate her price as $400 something like that.. considering the price of similar sized resin dolls.I also think I could do a version of the same face with elf ears cause I was really torn about whether or not she should have them.It should be no problem to cast her and add parts like closed eyes and then cast again for optional looks closed eyes etc.

      Thanks everyone for kind helful remarks.You make me so excited to finish her!
      Nita
       
      #31 brushwithlife, Jun 24, 2005
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    32. I'm so happy you included your URL--I *love* your style! In particular, those netsuke rock my world!

      http://www.geocities.com/sleetwealth/NETSUKE.html

      http://www.geocities.com/sleetwealth/NETSUKE2.html

      They are lovely in black-and-white, and even better in color. Will surf the rest of your site later.

      Now I'm *very* curious to see how the BJD turns out, and looking forward to updates.
       
      #32 Salena, Jun 24, 2005
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    33. I just have to say... sign me up for one when you cast them in resin! The face is so pretty!

      ~Erin
       
      #33 eptrauma, Jun 24, 2005
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    34. Thank you Salena. I especially enjoyed making the small dragon heads. I havent made them in a while though because Ive been so busy.

      Erin I'll let everyone know when the doll is complete. Im not sure the best way to offer her. Like from my website or just put on e-bay. If I have a list I might wind up having more people than I have dolls.
      it will probably be a while though. I work on her inbetween commissions.


      Nita
       
      #34 brushwithlife, Jun 24, 2005
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    35. If you accept a suggestion: You should work a bit more in the simetry and proportion ^^, plus improving the upper waits joint (is a bit rough actually). Agree on the skull lenght, it's a bit too long . Proportions are very pretty, but this looks a bit more as an sculpt than as a doll, if you know what I mean? Kinda a figure instead of a doll, I don't know if I do express myself ^^U. Nice modelling, very sensitive features, realistic! Just review simmetry and finishing of the surface -the most you work with the modelling stick, the less you'll have to sand!)
       
      #35 Nanyalin, Jun 24, 2005
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    36. Jellie:"mommy when i grow up can i be like the doll lady and make perty dolls?"
      me:"well sweet heart if you practice a bunch and stay dedicated I am sure you too can make a phenomenal doll of your very own one day!"
      Jellie:"Yay!"

      bravo! I have forgotten... is Prosculpt a polymer clay?
       
      #36 dragonfly, Jun 24, 2005
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    37. Thank you nanyalin for taking the time to crit.
      Re: joints roughness.This is an unfinished figure and yes her proportions are not realistic. Her eyes are wider spaced than normal and body proportions are off from nature to a small degree.This is a style chioce.The dolls on this site also have oversized heads,eyes smaller than average neck etc.

      I will do my best to refine assemetry and surface. As Donn instructed I will make a junk mold and use a casting from this to refine further.

      Dragonfly ,yes prosculpt is a polymer clay.Very much like sculpy. Warning if you try to use the prosculpt light . Mine was very soft,like paste! Its all I had,but next time I will use a firmer clay!

      Nita
       
      #37 brushwithlife, Jun 25, 2005
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    38. Yeah, most of the BJD we so love here aren't proportionate at all.

      My SD's heads are HUGE XD
       
      #38 cheshiretiffy, Jun 25, 2005
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    39. my hubby likes the dolfies too.He was actually a littel disapointed I didnt make her eyes bigger,but another day another head.


      Nita
       
      #39 brushwithlife, Jun 25, 2005
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    40. Hello again ^^! I can see you choosed an style for your doll, but even if in it's own style you should care about her 'own proportions' to fit ... I don't know if I'm explaining myself :-S, even when working with manga or anime style it is a sense of proportion and 'everything on it's right place', you know? I didn't said it was bad, just keep looking and make it , not realistic, but properly constructed. But anyways you are doing a very good job, and i think this may work very well as a prototipe, I like specially her mouth and the neck part ^^


      Keep on it!


      Nan
       
      #40 Nanyalin, Jun 25, 2005
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    41. You will have to be more specific(head too big for your liking,chest cavity too narrow etc) Im working from a scetch and it does have correct proportions,but it is hard to show flow when the doll is in parts.
      I have BTW 18 years of anatomy study and practice. There is always more study where anatomy is concerned ,but I think I have a firm grasp by now.
      I think you will be surprised when the doll is finished.

      Nita
       
      #41 brushwithlife, Jun 26, 2005
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    42. oh wow! Cool! Deffinantly one of the better ones in this forum! I can't wait to see the progress!
       
      #42 Flurry, Jun 26, 2005
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    43. WAh the head is gorgeous..>< I wish I could make something like that!!

      *KEWL*!!!!! wikketewikketewak!!
       
      #43 Bliss, Jun 27, 2005
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    44. Nita, when you made your head did you mold her on an aluminium or similar base?

      And could you explain what a junk mold is?

      Thanks!^^

      Jessica (she is super!) ^^
       
      #44 glass_mountain, Jun 27, 2005
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    45. Nita, when you made your head did you mold her on an aluminium or similar base?

      And could you explain what a junk mold is?

      Thanks!^^

      Jessica (she is super!) ^^
       
      #45 glass_mountain, Jun 27, 2005
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    46. what a lovely doll! And I have to say from all my human biology classes that I think your anatomy is superb, much better than most commercially produced dolls. She's exquisite, and I look forward to seeing the finished product!
       
      #46 jackthepumpkinhead, Jun 27, 2005
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    47. For a while I was perplexed what to use to build on.I think thats one of the hardest parts when using polymer clay. When using paperpulp or potters clay the clay firms up as it dries and you have a stable peice as you work.
      The challange of polymer clay is it stays soft and squishy and what ever core has to be bakable.Plus it has to adear and not slip around as you are sculpting! If you use the wrong core you will have trouble getting it out again for a clean looking interior.

      Well this is kinda weird ,but I happened to find an oak gall that was just the right size for in her head. I supose something similar would be a gourd for a larger doll,but these oak galls grow on the trees around here and dry out into a pith filled dry ball with paper thin walls. very light and easy to scoop all of it out after wards. I suppose I am going to have a hard time finding another gall that will be just the right size next time I go to make a head!
      The junk mold is a rough mold that is to get the head preserved at this stage. I fealt the polymer clay was too brittle to handle very much work like drilling the eyeholes and making the sockets for eyes to sit in. I didnt want to risk that it would shatter. Also as an extra step, after the junk mold is complete I will make a resin casting and then I will check this very carefully and sand flaws etc till it is more perfect.Since the resin is harder than polymer I can get rid of bumps,scratches that sort of thing Then making a mold from the resin head instead of the clay master sculpt.

      Nita
       
      #47 brushwithlife, Jun 28, 2005
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    48. Thanks, Nita!^^ That is really interesting. I am hoping to try a head soon, so am trying to learn as much as possible about techniques...:)
       
      #48 glass_mountain, Jun 28, 2005
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    49. this is all really interesting... and making me dispair XD i love your mold but all these steps to getting towards a good mold when i know absolutely nothing on moldmaking is a bit of a deterrant. XD now I understand why some artists simply make heads and not bodies as well XD
       
      #49 dechanique, Jun 30, 2005
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    50. Moldmaking is not that difficult. Its intimidating at first ,but now that Ive tried it ,its actually fun. I try to keep in mind sculpting is the hardest part.. just getting all the joints to fit properly and then I will be able to have many beautiful dolls instead of just one.
      Right now I am an "OOAK" one of a kind doll maker and its sad to see every one fly the coop to live with a new owner. This way I have promised that I can keep one for myself.

      It is challenging and a PITA and takes way too long,but that will make it so rewarding when its done!

      Nita
       
      #50 brushwithlife, Jun 30, 2005
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    51. wow! Really nice and accurate proportions, although as a few have said already, finding wigs might be troublesome.
      You must post more when she is completed!
       
      #51 Dette, Jun 30, 2005
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    52. Wow, she's gorgeous, I love everything about her; eyes, nose, mouth, her skull cap :D

      How many years have you been sculpting and did you learn from trial and eror or a course :?

      Once again well done :grin:

      Luv Mon x x
       
      #52 monicax86, Jul 2, 2005
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    53. Monica,
      Hard to say.Ive been sculpting in polymer clay for about 3 years. Before that I worked in other mediums. Oil painting,drawing,woodcarving and a little bit of sculpture with potters clay and papermache even 3dcg modeling.
      I had tried sculpy as a kid and made a few crude lil figures,but didnt take it seriously.

      I apprentised with a porcelain reproduction doll maker when I was 15 to16,but I never continued with it because the kiln and all was too expensive.I wasnt sculpting only pouring molds and cleaning porcelain parts and china painting.
      Im moslty self taught I guess. I read books and practiced alot for years . No actual classes or seminars,but Ive been helped online by other polymer dollmakers tips and such.

      She now has some upper arms and thigh parts so,she is slowly progressing.

      Nita
       
      #53 brushwithlife, Jul 4, 2005
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    54. brushwithlife;

      Thanks for reply, think I might attempt at making a girl this Summer :oops: Eek!

      Did you find sculpting a BJD more difficult because of the joints and sculpting the head and body which needs to be hollow?

      I can't wait to see her fully finished!! I love her face soo much; how did you sculpt he face so good? She looks perfect! :D
       
      #54 monicax86, Jul 4, 2005
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    55. yes, I think it is more difficult. The ball joints have to be round to roll smoothly and not be wobbly or rough. and the sockets also have to be smooth and cup the ball perfectly to look attractive.I had a hard time finding balls to stick on the sculpt that were the right size.

      The full sculptures I do have an armature that keeps the clay from sagging and in this case I am baking in stages to keep the form cause this clay is so soft and the parts need to be hollow.
      Maybe I should have went with a full armature and then just cut the doll apart. Im still learning about whats the best way to do the master sculpt.

      How did I sculpt the face so good? I love doing faces and have something of an edge there.lots of years of drawing and portraiture. That stuff carries over to other art forms.I used sculpting and carving technique to get the parts to fit nicely.

      Nita
       
      #55 brushwithlife, Jul 5, 2005
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    56. Oh wow! I just saw this thread...she's lovely...I'm very excited to see how she turns out. I love the headcap design...something about it is just really neat and her facial features are really pretty as well. I like the fanciful elf look ^_^
       
      #56 Bunnii, Jul 6, 2005
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    57. WOW!!! That is amazzzzzing! She is CUTE! Finish, hurry, and cast into resin, I want one!!!!! :o :D
       
      #57 Ghost, Jul 24, 2005
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    58. She is so pretty and original. You did a great job. I can´t wait to see when she is finished. :grin:
       
      #58 Tinis, Jul 29, 2005
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    59. Pictures updated once again. Just her legs and feet this time. I need to get some better shots of her. She has hands too as well now and also I have filled out those skinny shins.
      http://www.geocities.com/sleetwealth/BJD3.html
      Her bod should be ready for a junk mold this month.



      Nita
       
      #59 brushwithlife, Aug 3, 2005
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    60. WOW! I think she looks great..The new pics are smashing.. :chibi
       
      #60 Cursed, Aug 3, 2005
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