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Sanding Materials [BEGINNER]

Jun 27, 2014

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    1. Hi! So I've begun making a "test" doll as my very first project in doll-making. At the advice of others, I've used LaDoll and I'm liking it so far!

      To be honest, I have no real knowledge about sculpting or sanding. I just kinda jumped right in. My local craft store had a cheap pack of sandpaper with varying fine-ness (lol) and I've been using the less fine one for shaving off large lumps and the smallest one for refining texture on parts that are closer to being done. Then I looked at the inside, and boy that is a mess. It seems as though a multi-tool of some sort would be easier to use than sandpaper to thin it out.

      A FEW QUESTIONS: What kind of sandpaper have you found to be the best? In terms of sanding tools, what should I look into buying to thin the overall thickness of the head and clean up the inside, as well as make spots for the eyes? Also, I've found, without surprise, that LaDoll is rather porous. I plan to mold and cast the final product in polyurethane resin. Is there some kind of finishing spray or gloss I can put over the clay to help even out the texture before I make a mold? Thanks everyone!

      Oh, and here's a pic of my progress so far!
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      #1 alliexandra, Jun 27, 2014
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    2. Depend on the situation, the sandpaper used is around 150-1500 grit. For some multi tool, we used rotatary tools like dremel and such.
      There is a primer spray can which should be sprayed to fill all the pore and a gray colored one can help you to see all the asymmetry and things that need to be fixed.
      I recommend you to see this tutorial about making Unoa from scratch
      http://www.bjd-artists.com/showthre...torial-for-dollmaking&highlight=japanese book

      The language is japanese but somebody already translates it and this tutorial can give you insight of what material is needed.


      http://www.vivcore.com/dolly_daydream/making_a_doll.html
      this also give some overall tips on making a whole Bjd and a supply list.

      There a lot more tutorials if you search and I really recommend to research a lot since it will be helpful even if you just make a test doll. At least you will be more familiar with some process you have chosen from all the bjd tutorial.

      Good luck on the doll :)
       
      #2 twinage, Jun 27, 2014
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    3. A file or rasp is a really good tool for flattening out the surface. Also if you're molding the clay around a Styrofoam core, you can roll it out to the thickness you want, and the insides will be fairly level and smooth. Good luck! :)
       
      #3 Alewife, Oct 2, 2014
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    4. i'd go for some waterproof paper that stuff is pretty handy! and you also want to get some grades of sandpaper that make you go "is this even doing anything?" as for shaving off large chunks i'd also suggest some sort of knife (be it exact-o, wood carving ext.)
       
      #4 du-hast, Oct 3, 2014
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    5. There's a thread on dremel tools you might want to consider looking at - I've used on on my current air dry clay but not yet on la doll. I keep a piece of memory foam around -but a sponge would work- for removing dust. I've heard mr clean magic erasers can be used like super fine detail sanders- but I've only used them on walls so far- will test them myself on sir dry clay before truly recommending them. I highly recommend wood carving tools or linoleum carving tools (printmaking section of your craft store) for altering dry clay- I have both and use them for jewelry as well. I just have a cheap niji woodcarving set and several linoleum tools (v, u, two knives, tiny u and large u) - they are speedball or generic store brand handles and blades- and a set of jewelry files for extra detail work.

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      #5 oakBottom, Oct 6, 2014
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