Reborn Kits

There are two websites I used and if I bought my own to paint I used Bountiful baby mostly to get my kits. There is also MacPhearson Arts and Crafts website too in which I just got one from and shipped off to get it painted for me.

 

I think Irresistibles is similar to Macpherson and sells kits too. Individual artists will sometimes sell kits on their own sites (Enchanted Kreature Kits, Tru Born, etc).

One of the major heatset paint suppliers, Genesis, announced in the last year-ish that they were discontinuing their heat set line. So if you want to do that kind of painting, there may be some extra research/testing to do, or pay more attention to more recent tutorials. Looks like both Irresistibles and Macpherson have their own alternative heat set paint line.

Of course air dry paints are probably going to be BJD faceup friendly so that could be much easier if you already have them.

For general newly painted dolls or rehoming preowned dolls, Reborns.com is the main marketplace. It’s also just fun to look at all the different interpretations of the molds/kits!

 

You do not need heat set paint or a fancy kit. At the time my oven was terrible and so I didn't want anything heat set. I used the same paints and chalk pastels I use on my BJDs to do my baby (just wanted to prove I could do it) and it's survived years of knocking around. The doll its self was purchased blank for reborning but here's the kicker, I found similar dolls at the junk store, they just need to have the factory paint removed or covered up.

The key is using Berenguer dolls because of their realistic sculpts. It's the same company that makes the 5" crochet dolls. Like anything else it's a combination of skills and knowing a few tricks. Places where the skin is thinner are a bit more purple, knees are blushed, nail tips painted, and so on. Eyelashes and hair, which I didn't get to, are put in with a rerooting tool or felting needle.

 

Thanks Thanato-Cat The bigger Berengeur dolls aren't squishy at all but they're not rock hard either. I don't see why you couldn't use a spray sealant.
Just keep your eye out for a second hand doll you like and experiment with supplies. If you mess up the human look you can always make a baby zombie or monster.