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Aesthetics Stuck within my face-up "skills" - critics much appreciated, please!

Feb 14, 2013

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    1. Hello,

      To begin with, I never had a brush in my hand before getting interested in bjd.
      This is my 15th or 20th face-up, so you can imagine what #1 looked like. :)
      I feel that there's no improvement from previous to this one.
      I don't like eyebrows and eyelashes and lips and.. don't know what to do to improve it.
      Any suggestions, pretty please?.. Thanks in advance!
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/93211755@N03/8473819751/in/photostream
       
      #1 Tati, Feb 14, 2013
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    2. Your photos on flickr appear to be private, people who arent contacts cant see;)
       
      #2 Cydril, Feb 14, 2013
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    3. yeah i tryed it too, it didnt worked:(
       
      #3 Georgi, Feb 14, 2013
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    4. Dear Cydril and Georgi,

      Thank you! Is it better now?
      "Insert image" button did not work for me so I decided to put URL instead. Look forward to hear comments on the face-up itself.
       
      #4 Tati, Feb 14, 2013
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    5. The lips are nice, and the eyebrows are symmetrical, so you're doing better than a lot of people at least ;)
      I think the problem is that theres not enough depth. It looks like you are only using paint? It helps a lot to do some layers with powdered dry pastels first. As blush, and on the inside of the eyelids, and even as a base color for the eyebrows. Also, if you're not confident with your brushstrokes using paint, you can draw the details with watercolor pencils with more control.
       
      #5 Cydril, Feb 14, 2013
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    6. Dear Cydril,

      Thank you! Your recommendations are very helpful!
      I used everything you mentioned - pastels, watercolors and also acrylic gloss medium. I have to admit I used only ONE layer of pastels for blushing/highlighting face features. I'll start from layering it more. I need to work more on crease (or what I think) and will try watercolor pencils.

      Will keep everybody posted! :)
       
      #6 Tati, Feb 14, 2013
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    7. On a doll, one of the most emotive features are their eyebrows. I don't know what your others look like, but why don't you look up drawing references for eyes and eyebrows? different styles and angles of brows add a lot of dimension!
       
      #7 Syri, Feb 14, 2013
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    8. Dear Syri,

      You are absolutely right! I have big trouble making doll's brows "talk", but I badly want to master it! Thus I'm going to follow your advise and check the references.
      Thank you very much for your kind help!
       
      #8 Tati, Feb 15, 2013
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    9. For eyebrows if you use pastels underneath and then paint or paint pencils (Sometimes I use colored pencils, I never get staining from Prismacolor) and using multiple layers of MSC and pastels in order to layer depth. To practice sometimes I go CRAZY and make the blushing really dark, so i can see what its like, and if I like it! Then wash it all off and redo the blushing lighter.
       
      #9 Reigin, Feb 15, 2013
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    10. Dear Reigin,

      I use Krylon Low Odour Clear Matte instead of MSC, just because I was eager to start doing face-ups myself and that I could get right away from local artist supplies store.

      Thank you for the idea about blushing! I go CRAZY with eyes and tattoos, will try the same with blushing/highlighting.
       
      #10 Tati, Feb 16, 2013
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    11. I really like adding pearl white, fine glitter to add a bit of pop to the face up! I think you're doing really well though!
       
      #11 Mianorra, Feb 16, 2013
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    12. Just like a lot of people said, definitely do some more layering for depth—especially around the eyes. Q-tips make it easier to blend (at least to me) when working with pastels. More patience and tons of layers go a long way!

      I would also try positioning your eyelashes so they are a bit more "up" instead of swooping downward. Combine that with some darker (thin) lining around the eyes, and it'll give the whole thing more depth.

      You are doing great, though! It just takes tons of practice!
       
      #12 Haiiro, Feb 16, 2013
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    13. Hi,I like the mouth, but the brow looks too simple
      find a shape of brow that you like in a magazine and copy that look for example,you can find magazines to look at for free at any library

      watch videos on youtube for practice skills,here are cute ones where you can see that practice can be playfull and fun ..good luck{have fun}
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhCjMoBc0Us
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dDN1YwBpow
       
      #13 crybabymommie, Feb 16, 2013
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