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Aesthetics This '80s girl finally has a face! Thanks to all who helped! (New photos inside!) ~

Jul 7, 2015

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    1. Hi folks. Mint here. Thanks for taking a peek at my thread and my '80s girl WIP. :daisy

      August 28, 2015 Update

      This little '80s girl finally has a face!

      Hopefully she will make my friend as happy as making her for him has made me. :aheartbea

      Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions throughout the process!

      Without wig:

      [​IMG]

      With wig:

      [​IMG]

      Close up of face-up (before upper lashes were applied):

      [​IMG]

      ---- ORIGINAL POST ----

      Recently I bought an Only-Doll mini to customize for a dear friend of mine who loves my BJDs but doesn't have one of his own. I've always hoped to learn how to paint face-ups anyway but it's really important to me that I paint this doll with my own two hands to top off the surprise.

      My materials:
      -- Mungyo pastels
      -- Derwent watercolor pencils
      -- Black acrylic pant
      -- Acrylic thinner
      -- Acrylic gloss
      -- ZM Finishing Powder

      All input would be appreciated!

      Mint
       
      #1 PeppermintPocky, Jul 7, 2015
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    2. It looks like you already know what you need to improve, so really the only thing I can tell you is "practice makes perfect". Maybe look at video tutorials to see how others do certain thing so you have an idea where you did wrong in your technic, and of course practice practice practice. If you are not satisfied with a faceup, do it over as many time as it takes! (This way it saves you from having to find new heads to paint)
      Maybe also look at other faceups and human makeups to give inspiration (very helpful to find an eyebrow shape!) ^_^

      oh and if you're confident enough with a paintbrush, maybe quit the watercolour pencils. Paint makes smoother lines, whereas pencils look grainy (Unless the watercolour pencils are really the style you're looking for)
       
      #2 sahoma, Jul 7, 2015
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    3. Thank you for posting, @sahoma! :thumbup I wiped that face-up and will take your suggestions to heart! I'm very happy with the blushing on Attempt #3 already, but eyebrows terrify me (IMO eyebrows make or break a face-up).

      If I posted a progress picture of my next attempt before the lineart would you be kind enough to offer another critique? That way I can try to make any blush improvements before.... *shudders*... making her eyebrows. :XD: If not, that's cool.

      And I def' agree with you RE: watercolor pencils. I need to buy a proper brush and try painting the lines.
       
      #3 PeppermintPocky, Jul 7, 2015
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    4. If I can be of help I would be glad to ^_^
       
      #4 sahoma, Jul 8, 2015
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    5. Thank you, @sahoma! You're so awesome!

      Here's my progress on Attempt #3 thus far. I'm going to add eyeshadow and the basic shape of the eyebrows later today. For this particular doll I'm blushing her cheekbones as opposed to the apples of her cheeks due to the era her character is from.

      Do you think I should add more color? Apologies for my horrible photo quality --- took 'em with my phone.

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]
       
      #5 PeppermintPocky, Jul 8, 2015
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    6. From the photo, the blushing seems fine! Some people like to add A BIT around the nose and on the forehead, but that's entirely an artistic choice. The cheeks look a nice colour and I don't think they nee further touching.

      and I might have a tip to share to help with eyebrows! (If I can explain it properly)
      once you've decided on a shape, use a white whitecolour pencil to make 3 (small) guideline dots. for each end of the eyebrow and on the arch. The dots will normally not be visible under the pastel and paint, but it really helps in making the eyebrows even and getting a more specific shape. The dots can be easilly erased and remade until you are satisfied with their alignement on each side, instead of applying pastel directly and hoping you're doing the same thing on both sides. (Although yours already seemed pretty even, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to share anyway)

      Option #2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/draw-my-heart-on/8759512128/ (But I recommend the dot technic more. Although with the first technic you will need something like an eraser with a sharp edge -if you don't already- to remove eccess pastel and get a cleaner 'cut')
       
      #6 sahoma, Jul 8, 2015
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    7. I think the face-up is quite good, the colors go very well together. :)

      I understand you don't really like the eyebrows, maybe try using pastel?

      It'll make for a more softer look, all you do is get a small edge brush and draw small lines indicating a brow, almost like filling in your own brows. The product will be more natural looking, and appear more filled in, rather than patchy which I've noticed happens when using pencils solely.

      As for bottom lashes, what I've noticed helps is practicing on paper. You'll get a better idea what your style is and transfer that to the doll.
      I've also found that turning the dolls head upside down and drawing them ends up with a better product, if you haven't, you might what to try that.

      And for the crease line, I do agree with you, a lighter color would be better. For technique I would recommend the same as for the eyebrows, pastels.
      On your own eye you wouldn't use your eyeliner pen to shadow your crease would you? I would suggest using pastels and lightly using a swishing motion to get a really natural, smoky effect.

      I'm no professional by any means, this is just what I've found that has helped me.

      I hope I could be of some help, and good luck on your customizing journey!
       
      #7 MelodicReveries, Jul 8, 2015
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    8. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, @MelodicReveries. :daisy I've never considered practicing eyelashes on paper. I'll def' have to do that. I'm struggling with the length of my strokes at this point. I tried a lighter color for the eyeshadow crease but next time I'm going to skip the pencils and use a darker shade of pastel (as you suggested).

      Thank you, thank you, thank you for the eyebrow tips, @sahoma! I tried the dot method and it helped SO MUCH. Next time I'll have a go at the tape method and see if I prefer one or the other. :thumbup

      This is my third attempt. I'm happier with the results because she doesn't look as grainy! Tomorrow I'm going to head out and try to find a thin brush so I can try painting the line work on #4. :dance

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]
       
      #8 PeppermintPocky, Jul 8, 2015
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    9. Glad I could help! The eyebrows look great :thumbup
       
      #9 sahoma, Jul 8, 2015
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    10. Decided on a lineart brush today... now I just need to order it so I can get crackin'! :XD:

      ----

      @sahoma Aww shucks, thanks! :kitty2

      ​
      Thank you, @Leibniz27! :daisy
       
      #10 PeppermintPocky, Jul 9, 2015
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    11. What colors did you mixed? (Sorry if im too curious). But I can see blue and green. If I would do a face up in the future, I would also like to experiment in colors.
       
      #11 Leibniz27, Jul 9, 2015
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    12. Oh wow! There's so much improvement from the original post -- especially around the eyes! The eyelid crease and eyebrows in particular look very nice.

      The only suggestion I would offer is with regards to eyebrow placement. They look a teensy bit high -- not unnaturally so or anything, just enough to give her a wide-eyed look. It can be difficult to identify where the browbone starts sometimes; looking at the sculpt in profile or at a 3/4 angle may help.
       
      #12 Pixel-Dust, Jul 12, 2015
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    13. Hi [MENTION=68212]Leibniz27[/MENTION]! I started with lime green then blended that with teal, aqua, and royal blue as I moved from the inner corner to the outer edge. Hope this helps!

      Thank you, [MENTION=68807]Pixel-Dust[/MENTION]! I didn't notice how high her eyebrows were until you pointed that out to me. I'm fine with her looking wide-eyed but I'll def' keep your notes in mind for future attempts so I don't paint them even higher. (Eek!) :thumbup
       
      #13 PeppermintPocky, Jul 13, 2015
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    14. Oww thank you! Someday I will try that (when I've mustered enough courage to do face ups) but I have to complete my face up list first.
       
      #14 Leibniz27, Jul 13, 2015
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    15. August 20, 2015 Update: Attempt #4

      Weather is finally cooling off in my area so I decided to give face-ups another go!

      This time I decided to paint the lower eyelashes as opposed to drawing them w/ watercolor pencils. I decided to do that before adding eyeshadow, etc. in case I fudged up royally and needed to wipe the face-up.

      Given it's my first attempt painting lines I'm pretty pleased, especially with the right side. The sides aren't as even as I'd like but hopefully next time they will be!

      Any tips? Help? All advice would be appreciated!

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]
       
      #15 PeppermintPocky, Aug 20, 2015
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    16. Painted lines look so much better! I'm going to have to attempt this myself!
       
      #16 sammyjo421, Aug 20, 2015
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    17. Thanks @sammyjo421!

      I found that listening to music while painting helped keep my hands steady. :XD:
       
      #17 PeppermintPocky, Aug 21, 2015
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    18. That's a super good idea haha I will attempt that after my meet this weekend. Lol. Hopefully it turns out wonderful
       
      #18 sammyjo421, Aug 21, 2015
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    19. You can do it, [MENTION=69985]sammyjo421[/MENTION]! I'm rooting for you! :sumomo:

      Took a close-up photo today with my phone. (Graininess is because I saved the image in a low quality setting. I wasn't thinking.)

      [​IMG]
       
      #19 PeppermintPocky, Aug 22, 2015
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    20. August 22, 2015 Update: Attempt #5

      So my fifth attempt was going super smoothly; I was psyched at how I was able to paint lower eyelashes, but I smudged one on side two and have to start over from scratch because when I tried to fix it I removed previous layers of work/sealant. :...(

      My question: Is there a way to correct one smudged eyelash? Can I remove it with thinner without messing with layers beneath it?

      A photo of the side I was so proud of:

      [​IMG]
       
      #20 PeppermintPocky, Aug 22, 2015
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    21. What kind of paint are you using? A bit of water would on a q-tip or something would fix watercolor or watercolor pencil and maybe even acrylic. I suppose thinner would work. You run the risk of smudging them all, though, so be careful!
       
      #21 urbanizer, Aug 22, 2015
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    22. Thank you for your insight, [MENTION=68265]urbanizer[/MENTION]. I was using (thinned out) acrylic paint to form the lower lashes. I tried removing it with water but it wouldn't budge. Maybe I didn't get to it quick enough?

      I shall mark this experience down and try again tomorrow! :thumbup
       
      #22 PeppermintPocky, Aug 22, 2015
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    23. Face-Up #6

      This little '80s girl finally has a face!

      Hopefully she will make my friend as happy as making her for him has made me. :aheartbea

      Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions throughout the process!

      Without wig:

      [​IMG]

      With wig:

      [​IMG]

      Close up of face-up (before upper lashes were applied):

      [​IMG]
       
      #23 PeppermintPocky, Aug 27, 2015
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    24. She is absolutely adorable, and the 80's vibe comes through perfectly!
       
      #24 Zardi, Aug 29, 2015
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    25. Thank you, @Zardi! I'm so happy you think so! :D
       
      #25 PeppermintPocky, Aug 30, 2015
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    26. I love love love her! So beautiful ! love the 80's vibe!
       
      #26 bumblebeee, Dec 22, 2015
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