Would you buy art for your dolls?

This is a very interesting topic, because I suspect that most folk would just save an artist's picture online and then print it themselves, and they would never ever think to ask permission or to tip the artist. I see people even printing out other artist's work and then selling it on as small props for BJDs, which I sincerely doubt they have permission to (to say nothing of those that steal and sell full-size prints).

No 2D artist can stop somebody from printing out the artwork themselves, and I think most 2D artists would be all right with small personal uses like that within reason. But it's interesting to think about the sheer quantity of art that must be consumed this way, and the artists are never ever compensated for it.

I don't think I would have thought to buy art for my doll's before, specifically because none of them are particularly interested in art. But if I'm honest, this subject is actually quite thought-provoking haha, and I may well buy a print or two to use in a diorama for them purely as a result of your thread. That way I get a nice photography addition AND I get to support the artist who made the work. Thanks for the idea!

 

I thought at first this was about commissioning art of your dolls (which I did), not buying pieces for them as props to use.
For the latter, I'm in the same boat that my characters are mostly not interested in art. If they are, it tends to be music or theatre/movies, not still images.
Only one of them is into painted art, in that case I want to make the pieces he paints/owns myself (he does traditional Japanese art with inks and the like). But I once found an artist who did stuff like that and I was tempted to commission them for some miniature pieces, unfortunately they didn't take commissions

I think in general this is very niche though, and most people probably just print out stuff they find online.

 

I have considered it. I may eventually get a commissioned work of my girl Inle.

 

In terms of props, probably not, but my dolls shell characters of mine so some of them I've commissioned art of, sorta? Once I was commissioned by someone to draw their friend's doll too, and she gave me photo references of him for it. In fact, that's what sparked my interest in dolls again! I'd loved them from afar for many years but that commission really got my wallet itching for one... Or many

 

I've made 2D art for my dolls (well, mostly, "of" them rather than "for" them...at first, like Ara, I thought that was what you meant!), but I haven't bought any so far.

I was actually messaged once, on Facebook, by someone wanting to commission a miniature drawing she could put in a miniature frame and hang in her dollhouse, so I know there must be an existing market for this sort of thing...at least, for smaller-scale dolls.

Like you and others commenting, I'd be more likely to just keep making my own art of/for my dolls, than to buy...but, if I needed something beyond my capabilities, and there was room in my budget for the expense, I'd consider commissioning someone.

It's mostly the 3D art/props that I'd need to devote money to purchasing, though, I think.

 

I have considered getting art done of my dolls I know the one im waiting on will for sure get art because who doesn't love a really interesting character Hes my first doll i have been truly in love with for an idea/story with.

 

First doll after like 4 years absence to the hobby but yes thank you! I plan on doing a unboxing and everything. He'll be worth it entirely.

 

If this is about commissioning art OF your dolls: I think one thing that often stops people (aside from money because let's face it, most people rather put money into their dolls than an image of their doll), is the worry to give an artist doll photos as reference. At least this is something I have heard so often from other collectors. "I would like to commission, but I'm kinda worried they'll be freaked out by the doll pics?". A lot of people are either afraid of dolls or think the hobby itself is weird/creepy, so I'm not surprised people want to avoid that judgement when contacting an artist.

From my own experience though, a lot of artists know BJDs (at least from passing). One I commissioned actually owned one herself, she just never had posted about it. Or they think they are super intriguing and interesting. In the end they are artists, and a lot of artists dig art in many shape or forms.
I personally just warn the artist and give them clickable, no thumbnail links (because then they can avoid looking if dolls are REALLY not their thing) when I contact them first. So far I only made good experiences.

And to be honest, art of your dolls hanging in your doll room is sooooo cool:
Ara on Instagram: “Wanted to post it here too! Finally put up some of the art I commissioned throughout the years of the Chess pieces I still want some of…”



I'm honestly curious now, if people who commission art of their dolls go the full way or "just" the OC route.
As in, do they commission the actual doll including the joints and everything that makes it more doll-esque, or do they commission the OC that the doll is a shell for without any of the doll bits? I personally go with the latter, and when I commission people I do not want them to copy some photo I give them or whatever either.

 

I have commissioned pictures, but I had them made into the OC I do try to draw the doll as is when I do it. I have commissioned art for my dolls, but mainly on clothes I bought for them to make them more personal,

 

I'm a traditionally trained artist, so I would probably make the art for my dolls myself. However, I have a lot of other stuff I collect, that takes up the majority of the display space I have, so I don't do dioramas for any of my dolls. I know most flat paintings wouldn't take up too much space, depending on the mount of them I created. I think I would just rather not spend hours on a miniature display piece I might end up using only once, because I don't have the room to make a permanent display area for it. Putting up dioramas every time I take photos of my dolls would make it a pain in the gut for me, so I think I just rather not create a miniature art piece which would take hours, just to be of a single use. I am very old and lazy, so I rather just avoid aggregated inconvenience at this point. I keep all my dolls in my closet, which is getting kind of crowded with all the other stuff I collect (and don't unbox). So, it's just less of a hassle for me to photograph the dolls by themselves, than having a complex background I'll have to take down after taking photos, plus the undressing and un-wigging of the dolls themselves. I wouldn't commission the art either, because again, I can do it myself -- I just rather not do it, to avoid adding to the struggle. Lol! DX

 

I hope to one day get commissioned art for my dolls. I just want to flush out their characters more and get them to the standard I want them at. That though does include time and money so it will be a while. I've commissioned artists for ocs before with references to my own art, sims, and mmorpg characters. As others have mentioned I would just ask and make sure they are ok with pictures of dolls first.

 

I actually have examples for both definitions!

My wife commissioned art for my birthday of my oc that is my first doll (I cried, it’s gorgeous) and we intend to get it printed and framed. We also tend to pick up art that reminds us/inspires the oc’s our dolls represent. (One of my favorite finds was a page from the Fairyland calendar the year they released Lora, she looks like the queen (who will never be dolled) and we intend to frame it like it’s her official portrait.) We fully intend to get more art commissioned too.

Several of the prints we’ve bought over the years come with small versions printed on the labels (*cough*IKEA*cough*) and I keep those to use as ‘prints’ and wall art in doll scale. Also works with the image cards that often come with anime wall scrolls too. Takes up no space and you can keep them together in a regular envelope or baggie.

 

Exactly! I save the back pages of nice/cool calendars and stationery too for similar reasons.

I don’t mind at all! We’re all here to share ideas and creativity! And there’s nothing like finding a use for something you already have that you’re not using.

Aw! Thank you! Good luck in your own prop-tastic adventures too!

 

I would buy like an anime chibi figure or keychain of recurring Volks characters, like Jun Tachibana and her cat.

 

I've bought art and done art trades for pics of my dolls (example- my avatar). But sometimes I see little things, like pins and flat charms, that I'll buy for my dolls. It usually has to fit their aesthetic, though.
For example, I got my crab boy, Nepa, a Cancer crab enamel pin, since he is that crab. I also get other crustacean pins and charms for him and they go on his mini tote bag (which has a lobster on it). Not sure if that fully qualifies as 2D art but maybe it relates to your topic? X'''D

 

Yes. I have commissioned a tiny oil painting as well as bought a few original mini paintings to use as props in my dioramas. My preference is always original art rather than copies or prints.