Modification Practicing Modifications?

Modifying a doll is a lot if work, to just do it for practice (IMHO), particularly additive ones. I did my first additve mods on my most expensive doll, and learned a lot that way. The most important part, that you can't ruin a doll. I was able to remove completely the additive mods I wasn't happy with and redo them again from zero. (:

Having said that, I know that not everyone is comfortable doing the same thing or learns the same way. There were some companies making and selling BJD practice heads. Some were on the larger side. I can't recall any right now, but if you search on here, I'm sure you'll find some names and where to purchase. Hope that helps and good luck!

 

Dollmore still sell random head boxes – I got one as a practice head for faceups and minor additive mods (I was adding scales and gills to a head).

They're generally "B grade" casts with yellowing or minor issues – of the 2 I got, one was missing the tear duct in one eye, and the other was yellowed with a slight unevenness on the cheek, but that didn't affect what I needed them for.

If you're looking to practise body modifications at a larger scale without testing them on a brand new body, your best bet would probably be to buy an older body that's been superceded in terms of engineering.

Sites like Mandarake and Dollyteria have plenty of old, single-jointed legit doll bodies that would suit this purpose – recasts on these sites (more likely Mandarake as they don't specialise in dolls) are rare but they do show up every now and then: it's best to use your usual discretion and avoid any generic no-brand item, e.g. "1/3 doll boy body"

If shipping from Asia is expensive for the country you live in, or if you're in the US and dealing with all of the buying-from-overseas issues, once you have DoA Marketplace access there could be bodies for sale that suit your modding needs.

Best of luck with your project!

 

There are a few options if you're too scared of ruining an expensive doll: either you search for a cheap second hand body on the markeplace (there are a lot of older bodies for pretty cheap, even SD ones), or you can buy from affordable companies (like Resinsoul).

 

I'd look second hand - even if you don't have doa MP access yet there is also eBay, mercari, local second hand sites, sales on Instagram, doll sale groups on fb, Japanese marketplaces like dollyteria (all they sell is checked legit), mandarake, yahoo!Japan auctions etc that will always have some cheap spare resin parts somewhere (I think chest parts, for instance, would be an easy term to search). Also dealers' in-stock section can be a good place to look for such things.

If you want a similar part to what you are planning on modding, in a similar-ish scale, Resinsoul will definitely cast you separate parts in any colour you want, you'll just have to email them!

 

you should also be able to practice additive mods on cheap porcelain dolls you find at the thrift. the porcelain is about the same hardness as resin and it'll give you the experience of sculpting onto a existing 3d form. Dont do subtractive mods on it though as the porcelain would not take kindly to it

 

If you want to practice using a high speed handheld power tool (Dremel is a brand name) then get one, and practice using it with the correct PPE and on many materials. Boxwood is used by wood whittling artists for its consistent density and texture, and if you get good with that, sold in most hobby shops, then resin wouldn't be too difficult a switch.
You can find domestic sellers who are selling "project dolls" or resin parts sometimes, and begin on actual BJDs by "rescuing" an old doll from a reputable source like here on DoA. I have a special bond with a doll I made up by putting together various parts and making her lovely again.