Discussion The Joint: BJD-making discussion

Yeah I never really 'got' these other online formats like IG, tumblr, facebook etc. They seem so disorganized/chaotic and impersonal, (Flickr was okay for a time, but it changed a while back..) I still much prefer a forum setting to share work and discuss. Hope the merge project doesn't get abandoned.

 

Agree.

Agree. This is taking aloooooonnggggg time.

 

I've been wondering the same thing. I guess in my personal experience, when things have taken waaaaay longer than they were supposed to take, those things ended up not ever happening. I hope that isn't the case here.

 

So I want to make my own doll SO BADLY, and I've been trying and trying to sculpt doll parts using nothing but Google and PintSizedPalace videos for reference.....nothing's coming out the way I want it too! I am currently using Super Sculpy, though I've heard different views on this clay? If anyone has ANY advice to give me on how to properly sculpt and bake a bjd, please let me know! I am quite discouraged, but I don't plan on giving up!

 

The best material for beginners, in my experience, is epoxy resin but it takes some practice. Another good material to avoid burning your dollies is paperclay, specifically the DAS brand. I know some people also use stoneclay, which comes in brands like La Doll and Formo but im not sure about their availability in the states as i've never looked for them myself. The only problem with stoneclay is it's rather sticky but it also air dries. Super Sculpy is good for testing what you want the doll to look like and maybe getting some measurements but not much else. I wouldn't suggest actually making a doll out of it.

 

---Quick Mod Note---
The Joint merger is indeed still happening; it is just taking longer than we anticipated! We don't currently have a definitive date on when it will happen, but we are hopeful!
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@SeraphBJD

My last real interaction with Sculpey was when I was a kid. My siblings and I would get a big kick out of making stuff with those large color multi-packs. I once made a kind of really awesome Omanyte and I remember it being incredible. But overall, I do still remember being really upset that it was so susceptible to fingerprints or getting smooshed before it was dry, and I didn't like the fact that you had to bake it. (we always ended up throwing out boxes, so we always lost the baking instructions ) But, even when we did get around to baking it, they seemed very fragile, and prone to cracking. So I personally wouldn't feel the best about Sculpey for a doll. I also have a lot of trouble working with it, for some reason.

As far as correct baking procedure, Sculpey's website probably has formulas based on the amount/weight of clay and things like that, so whatever they recommend is probably best.

As for general sculpting, all I can say is to keep practicing! There are a lot of tutorials on polymer clay sculpting, so you could try watching other people's videos as well. You may find that other people share different information, or simply teach in a way that is more accessible to you.
If you're finding that it is the Sculpey that is making it hard for you to sculpt, you might consider using a different type of clay.

I have used other clays, but since you weren't asking for that specifically, I'll spoiler it because I went off on like 30 different tangents. :3

Spoiler: my experience with other types of clay

I have used Apoxie Sculpt for modifying BJDs, and DAS (paper clay) and La Doll Premier (stone clay) for the from-scratch-sculpting I've done.

Apoxie Sculpt seems to be sold online only; I have never seen it in a physical store anywhere.
I'm not sure what kind of stores are in your area, or what stock they have, but you may be able to find either of those other clays locally. I know that my local arts and crafts stores don't carry DAS or La Doll in store, though they have them online. They do all seem to carry varying brands and types of modelling clay, but none of them are very clear on what they are actually made from. You may consider giving any of them a try, particularly if one really suits your budget.

Apoxie Sculpt is pretty expensive, so I wouldn't recommend that for making a whole doll, unless you're making a super-tiny one.

The DAS I used was a batch of terracotta-colored stuff, and it kind of stank to high heaven. It was, admittedly, very, very old so I'm not sure if the smell was due to the age, or the terracotta aspect of it. It also stains stuff reallllly easily, so if you want to try DAS, definitely look for white. Overall, I found DAS easy enough to work with; it starts out super-sticky, but once you knead it around a little, it's less sticky. It's also really malleable, water helps smooth it nicely, and metal and/or silicone sculpting tools work relatively well (metal was slightly better). Also it is rather cool to the touch until it is fully dry. (which is really neat, imo) I do find that it has a pretty coarse texture overall, which makes it a little harder to get fine details down. And sanding tends to have unintended removals, since large chunks of fiber tend to get dislodged.

La Doll seems basically the same to me as DAS. It is sticky at first, but pretty malleable, and it smooths well with water, but a) it is white and doesn't stain my clothes and hands, and b) it does not stink. :3 It's also a little more lightweight, but perhaps slightly harder to knead, and you need to be a little more finicky with tools. It also had a little trouble adhering to my previous layers, unless I scored and roughed up those layers first. And it is a little harder to tell when it's fully dry. But, it is much finer than DAS, so sanding is much easier, and no large chunks randomly come off. And it seems to be harder than DAS at the end as well.

Honestly, I'd had that package of DAS around the house for years and never used it, so I just decided to fiddle around with it on a whim, until I realized I actually really loved working with the clay. I did get to the point where I was starting to love my head sculpt, and I wanted to be able to refine details more, so I grabbed a package of LaDoll so I could make it better. For the next thing I start working on, I plan to use just La Doll, as I generally like it better than the DAS.

I was able to get La Doll on Amazon, for about $15. It was a little more than I wanted, but I'm OK with it now that I've worked with it. They do have the DAS too, at about the same price, but almost double the amount. I'd say, if you want to give it a go and can't find either locally, Amazon is probably your best bet.

 

@AirimirOfGondor thanks so much for the merger update.

LaDoll is a little bit cheaper at Dick Blick Search - BLICK art materials You could wait for a free shipping sale. I've also seen it at Hobby Lobby and Michael's, and recently at Walmart! I'm a big fan of LaDoll Premier, once I got used to the weird, smooth, dry feeling of handling it. It takes fine details well and is quite strong when dry.

 

I found little buckets of two part Apoxie sculpt at a local craft store in Toronto next to OCAD, which is a huge art school. I'd suggest looking for it in independent art stores rather than chains if you don't want to buy it online.

 

Are 3d printed BJDs allowed in this thread? Are super off-topic-for-the-rest-of-DOA dolls allowed in this thread?
I'm not much in the way of a RL sculptor, but I do 3d models often and one of my friends does 3d printing. We've always wanted to make something together and I figured it'd be fun to convert one of my models into a jointed doll.

Spoiler: maybe not on topic

 

Not sure about "against the rules" since I think they might still be working out rules for the joint, but my bjd head is 3D printed and so is another one on this thread That looks like it could be an interesting doll!

 

3D prints are completely admissable, according to the joint rules.
i keep telling myself to learn to use some modeling programs so i could print my own doll. that would be so cool.
... the doll i have been "working on"... i haven't worked on in months. haw haw. i feel bad about it. maybe i shall work on her some tomorrow. XD

 

3d is useful and you can mess around and sculpt without needing to set up/clean up a workspace. If you're looking for a program to start in, try Zbrush? I mostly make models for games so I started off with Blender and Zbrush's UI is an absolute mess to me, but if your goal is sculpture and not low-impact models, Zbrush is great.
Or if it's too daunting, try Sculptris (though I don't know how you can do joints and such in it.)

 

ah, thanks for the tip!
i have blender, and just have no idea of where to start in it. XD guess i should hit up some tutorials.

 

I'm not so sure that starting in ZBrush is wise, since it costs nearly $900 (USD) for a non-academic license ZBrush Core is a more reasonable $150 with a free trial, though that is still way more than most people are going to be willing to drop just to try something. Experimenting with Sculptris (free!) and using a second free program to carve out the joints is probably much more within reach for most people.

 

What about Sculptris? It's a free software from the same company that made Zbrush.

 

I...said that in my post?

 

So sorry!!! didn't pay enough attention!!!

 

Which would you say is most user friendly? I can sculpt fine with clay and my hands, but I’ve never been able to get to grips with 3d modelling, though I’d like to try it again. I’ve had a go with sculptris but found it very difficult.

 

Unfortunately, sculptris was the most user-friendly for me in terms of actual sculpting. It has a few, but key features, and a very simple UI. Zbrush has way more features so you do have to learn more, but it is similar in that it's a "sculpting" program. I haven't used Autodesk Mudbox, another sculpting program, and it's not free, but you can get it on subscription for cheap or free as a student.
Keep in mind that sculpting on a computer just isn't the same as real life. You have to get used to new ways of doing things that would normally be really simple with actual clay. You also have to keep in mind that your computer is a 2-d screen and you can't just manipulate things with two hands.
I generally box-model because I'm focusing on making rigged, lower-poly models. This probably isn't what you want if you're making dolls or 3d printed sculptures, but if you want to try a workflow that's more tracing off sketches than actual sculpting, you can try Maya, Blender, 3dsMax, and various other programs. The core concept is similar between them. Blender is free and has plenty of third party plugins, but the UI is not user friendly at all. Maya is not free- though you can get it quite easily as a student - and I've heard that it's easier to work with.

 

I have try free program Meshmixer and I find it very clever and user frendly. It is cool because you can take diferent 3d objects and mix them together. For example, you can try to take free 3d model, change them and put joints on them. You can also sculpt in it, but I did not do that. I was mainly jointing things. I took this class for 9$ "Figure modeling with Meshmixer" on site Honeypoint 3D, and it was enough to learn me beginings in field what was interesting for me. It is about how to make action figurine from some free model but everything there is for use for us too.
I had chance to try Z-brush, Maya and Blender. Maya and Bledner ended up just like- no way, and Z brush I had used 3 times. It is complicated I find complicated that diferent modes. Like one is 3d other is not 3d- confusing. That learning curve was flat

 

Maybe I’m just not cut out for it, like drawing on computer. I always revert to drawing with pens, maybe I should stick to sculpting with clay? I have a sculptris licence so I can carry on playing with that, I guess...

 

I'm definitely not cut out for it. I have to feel the stuff in my hands.

 

My sculpting progress
@swampruler on Instagram: “#bjd #bjdsculpting #wip #dollsculpting #dollmaker #sculpting #handmadedoll #1/4 #msd size #bjdmaker #doll #dollsofinstagram”

They are almost done. Both made for 1/4 slim minis.

 

@Swampruler I saw them on your IG earlier this morning. They look great. I really like the one on the right!

 

Thank You

 

I've made things in Sculptris, but the part I cannot do is make it a "watertight" model, or hollow it out. I can sculpt a sphere into a head no problem.

 

XD me too. They’re cool for the people that can do it, but I’m better off with clay!

 

I have supplies on the way to me right now. I have been watching lots of different sculpting videos to get an idea of how everything works. I don't know what I will be making, but I'm sure going to try and do something. XD

 

As far as I know you’d need a full 3D modeling software like zbrush to hollow things out. I made a head in zbrush and was able to hollow it out pretty easily using dynamesh. It saves a lot of time and the results are pretty even if it’s done correctly. Needs a little clean up though!

 

@LuckyXIII have fun!

 

I used 3D Builder to hollow out my Sculptris head. It creates a very rough cut that will need smoothing after you print the head, but it gets you most of the way there 3D Builder is a free program that comes with Windows 10 and is limited, but easy to use. If you have a different operating system, you could use another free program like Blender to hollow your head.

 

Wow your doll looks amazing!

 

Just give it a go! The more you do, the quicker you’ll learn. ^_^

 

What's giving me real stick right now is EARS. I need two of them, in the right size, mirroring each other?? WHy do humans have to have such fancy soundholes.

 

Yeah, the worst part of head sculpting by a mile!

 

Yeah, making an ear is easy, the hardest part is making the other ear.

 

Make lumps before you commit to details on ears! I made that mistake on a head once. Two lovely ears... crooked as a darn Picasso painting tho. XD

 

It's not just me!

*ROFL* Ain't that the pure truth!

Hehe yeah! My strategy right now is to sculpt them flat on a piece of card, side by side, then attach them to the head.

 

I am working also, in my own slow motion. Here is where I have come to. Everything is in La Doll.




I have all peaces in this raw stage, I'll need to redefine joints and sand, sand, sand
I will not show other ear- nope! nooo. hihihi

 

Looks really good! I like the mouth, very distinctive for a bjd. And we never mention the other ear...

 

Looks cute so far, @LornaLoo


Edit because I tagged the wrong person

 

This is really cute! Can't wait to see how the parts all come together

 

@Spuggey, @Zardi and @crowtree thank you.

I am not sure how to decide how to cut slot on ball on hip joint, I have seen some fancy slots on that joint. I think that if I make it maby in curve it coul'd be beter but I have never see it in life why it is so cut, I can imagine that it is for him/her not to have spread wide legs, but I am not sure how to decide where the slot will be. How is that made?

 

I just found out that there is a sculpting class for faces this coming Sunday about a half hour from where I live. It's only $40 too. I think I'll go to that to help get me started

 

Go for it!! As much as practice can help, having someone teaching and giving advice personally is always great!! Not to mention meeting new people who may share the same interests!

 

Hi everyone,
I am a huge fan for dolls that I started to make my own BJD doll, there's still so much I need to learn, and I am wondering if you have any recommendation for BJD making forums/ bloggers/ anything related? I really want a place where everyone can share their experience on doll making
Thank you so much
Here are 2 dolls I have made so far
(Both dont have proper arms, arms are so hard...)



https://scontent.fybz2-1.fna.fbcdn....=87ec9c1bf28a1f6ed968371bf61258eb&oe=5BC17A90
https://scontent.fybz2-1.fna.fbcdn....=774600519e7bbe3d2e34dde90c4ff58d&oe=5B81F53E

 

Currently, DoA is in the process of merging with The Joint, a sister forum dedicated to bjd-making. While we wait for the merge to be complete, we doll-making bunch are discussing stuff here: /threads/the-joint-bjd-making-discussion.750612/page-48#post-12449841

edit: Your dolls look awesome!!

 

Wow, those are good sculpts so far! What are you using to sculpt with? : O

 

Thank you so much!! I will check both of them out!

Thank you! For the first doll I used Sculpey, the second one I used Plus

 

@Addictiya so nice sculpting I hope you will continue to work hard, it would be joy to see you progress even more.

 

!!! I totally have this avatar I'd LOVE to see some of your 3D work take a physical form IRL, I think this would make a super charming little guy!

I'm so sorry to double post -- if that's a problem, please let me know and I can merge my posts!

I figure I should post the very beginning of my doll journey!! I've taken a class on puppetmaking and animal anatomy so I'm hoping that'll help me a little bit, but I'm not expecting a great result. I'm using a white clay (premier stone clay? it's a paper clay though, I'm pretty sure!) wrapped on top of tinfoil, so it will stay hollow. Then I'm going to cut it free and add/subtract from there I'm trying to create a body for a doll head I'm planning to get.

Spoiler: Rough Concept Art

Spoiler: Rough body sketch

I should have gone to bed but I couldn't sleep so I just started tonight. Here's some rough torso!



I know it's lumpy and uneven right now but I'm planning on just keeping at it and chipping away. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

 

Chiming back in with some progress! I decided not to start on a dragon doll, and instead, started on a female body - more specifically, I started with the lower torso. It's pretty lumpy and uneven, and she doesn't have a butt yet, but I wanted to let the first layer dry before I got too carried away.



I didn't have any foam on hand for the core, so I used a few of these little red plastic cups I found in my craft stuff. Not entirely sure how I'm going to get them out once she's dry, but that's a problem for another day! I'm probably going to build her up more above and below the natural waist because I'm a fan of hourglass-shaped bodies with bigger hips.

First time working with stoneclay, and I have to say, I really like it! It's a lot firmer than polymer clays, and it smooths and blends really well with just a bit of water. It's actually a pack of La Doll that I found at the bottom of a box the other day, and I spent about two hours last night reconditioning it from a dry block to a nice soft consistency. There's something very cathartic about kneading clay...

 

@HeyJude that's very clever! You can probably break them out later.

 

Oh I just noticed the joint is down now? I feel kinda sad but hope this portends good things for the doa merge

Waitaminute the url says "suspended page" hmm..

 

Wow all these projects are so exciting! I'm also an aspiring doll maker. I had a thread on castaways a couple years back detailing my progress on a tiny mature female body I was working. I still have her and plan to work on her again this summer. Here's those old pics though!



One thing I was always caught up on was how do do joints so if anyone has tips and tricks please share!

 

So the joint is gone but I don't see the forum on DoA yet. Any news about what's going on? Also will old members be able to pick which screenname they'll use? Because I have a different name for the joint.
Edit: never mind about the name thing, I found the original announcement and read the new rules there.

 

I'm hoping this means progress! They must have got what they needed off The Joint.

 

I'm super new to DoA, but still SO excited for this forum getting started! I would have originally wanted to join something like The Joint, but got into the idea of BJD making after it was gone.

Anyways, since I'm starting already (and have done ZERO doll-making before, yay me), here's a photo of my blueprint for something 30cm:

 

@thetinyshiloh welcome. Your blueprints look good. In my jurney i have find that working little biger is beter for start. I have find 42-45cm as great for me. It is abaut all details. I also started with small, but after that i realised i enjoj more other dimension. It is that small sculpting needs special attention and cordination and it is harder to start with. But if you wish yor doll to be just this right dimensiond- go for that! I dot wish to say what dinension is beter for your doll, just what to consider in learning as process.

 

Thank you!!! And yeah, I read multiple times that working bigger is easier (which is true for most stuff, honestly - I know it's true for drawing/painting), but I've always enjoyed working smaller and I'm not sure I have as much space to comfortably work over 40 cm. I might try it one day though! I am having lots of fun learning, and making progress every day. Thank you again for the advice!