Brave enough to customize?

[ToysRGood]

I am reading all these posts about folks doing their own face ups. Why aren't you scared? I mean, potentially wrecking a zillion dollar head? Or are you all closet artists and I am the only talent-less person out here? Did you just take the plunge once, and everything went great?

[Icy_Sunset]

A lot of it is just taking the plunge. Some people get practice heads to try out on (that's what I've done, actually).
Don't feel bad if you try and it doesn't look great, you know? Head down to the Critique forum on Den of Angles, and look at other first face-up threads.

All in all, the heads are pretty hard to really wreck. As long as you're careful, you can just keep trying.

[Hitasura]

In terms of faceups, even your first one ever, the likelihood of ruining the head is really extremely low if you're using the right materials! XD Even if you aren't satisfied with the job you did, it wipes off easily and it can always be redone by yourself or someone else with a lot of experience so no harm done! ^^

I was definitely nervous and near-clueless when I did my first one, but with practice you do get better at it! I'll probably never be as good as I'd like to be, but it is fun to do on occasion. :3

[InkyBear]

Just as Hitasura said, it's pretty hard to actually wreck a head just be practicing a basic face-up if you are using the right materials. They are not permanent and pretty much everyone is dissatisfied with their first face-up and they are quite easy to wipe off. The only reason I get nervous about practicing face-ups on my dolls is because the sealer spray can get expensive, but I always know that it's practice makes perfect and even if I get frustrated with my work, it's nothing a little alchohol or brush cleaner can't fix. Just wipe it off and start over, no harm done.

Now when it comes to more permanent mods such as dye jobs and epoxy mods, yes, I feel safer leaving that to a professional. >.>

[onegreyelephant]

Why on earth would I buy zillion dollar head if I wasn't ever going to get any fun out of it?? Modding, cusomising and face-upping are the best parts of bjd. ^__^

[zalem]

Meh, it's only a faceup. Unless you're trying to mod it then you're not going to wreck it. The most you can do is give it an ugly faceup and if you really don't like it you can find a customizer to do a new one. Just make sure you research and use the right type of paints and paint removers before you start. Customizing these dolls is part of the fun though, so that's why a lot of people do it. Super Dollfie was created by Volks so that people would customize them and make the dolls their own.

Now modding is a lot more daunting because you can actually damage the head if you aren't careful, but if I feel I need to mod something I'll mod it. I've modded noses before. Though for major mod jobs I'd probably leave it up to someone who is more of an expert.

[ToysRGood]

Starting to feel braver... ;-)

[Wee_Little_Faerie]

Yeah, like everyone said, do a little research and there's practically no way to ruin the head just by doing a faceup.

I *highly* recommend spraying a coat of either the Volks UV Cut spray or MSC before putting *any* paint on the doll, things like reds and blacks can stain... even with the "safe" paint, if you don't have that protective layer down first.

Also, if you remove paint and, say, a red is still there on your doll's face... don't freak out! Just make sure you have a Mr. Clean sponge (you can buy them almost anywhere they sell groceries or home supplies) and use that. Chances are, it will clean your little guy right up.

[Creative Torpor]

I recommend three coats if you're going to plan to use any kind of vibrant red/black. I only used two coats of Zoukeimura Finishing Powder and my boys' lips stained. :C

[Maverynthia]

If anything I'd get an Obitsu head and practice on that, if you mess up too much your only out about $20 instead of $200. You can also make some up and sell them to pay for the zillion dollar head you want :D

[Wee_Little_Faerie]

It depends on the type of red you use too, and if you dilute it with another color. Some red pigments are more staining than others...

For the stuff Volks sells, the liquitex red, I've never had any problem getting it off with the help of a Mr. Clean sponge :)

[saraquill]

Unless you are going to take a Sharpie or ball peen hammer to your doll's head, I don't think you will do any lasting damage.

Though I've never done face-ups, I have done wiring and joint work on my girls. My recommendation before doing any mods is to conduct plenty of research.

[Taco]

As long as you use faceup supplies that don't damage resin (stay away from anything oil based as well as sharpies and finger nail polish) and clear coat first, you aren't going to ruin the head.

A lot of it is just getting comfortable, and that comes with experience. When I first got into this hobby I was nervous about doing my own faceups. restringing and body blushing. As time went on, I just got braver. I had read a lot about how to do it, and I had discovered that bjds aren't as fragile as they look.

As others have suggested, do your research first and also make sure to get good quality supplies (there is nothing more frustrating than working with crappy art supplies).

[twospiritdolls@yahoo]

I have been in the porcelain dollmaking world for 20 years and have been paint dolls for that long, you need to Jump in and do it! You will probably really surprise yourself, I have been teaching people to paint dolls for 15 years and I have not had anybody not be happy after a few classes and gaining some experience, once the comfort level goes up your best work will come out, Just go for it! you will not be sorry!

[shastam]

Wow, I'm a newbie too,and I feel ready to give a face up a shot! Thanks for everyone's advice! I finally got brave enough to pierce my dolls ears, so perhaps looking for the right products and touching up an existing face up would be a good thing to try next.

[Elzamine]

As long as you read up on what not to and what not to use for materials, it's pretty hard to ruin a head. I'm pretty artistic to begin with, and I've worked with a lot of different art products, so it didn't bother me at all to just dive in. I was a little apprehensive about modding, but I figure if you go slow, you should be able to save yourself from any permanent mess ups ^^

[Amaira Rose]

I am reading all these posts about folks doing their own face ups. Why aren't you scared? I mean, potentially wrecking a zillion dollar head? Or are you all closet artists and I am the only talent-less person out here? Did you just take the plunge once, and everything went great?

Welp, I figure I'll never know what effects happen until I try. ^^;; And I've read up on what normally effects the resin in a bad way, so I'd try something else. Only good things have turned out so far. I don't have a lot of talent, but I can try. :)

[this-lonely-place]

I want to do it. But the problem is getting the proper supplies and such and I wouldn't pick just any head for my first attempt. Probably something that is inexpensive and still a good head. Who knows... I may suck at it or have a talent for it. ^^ Won't know till I try.*_*

[Bobster]

I started just taking um apart. I then took the knot free and started re-stringing them. I then moved on to simple seam sanding and ultimately the whole doll. After that, I took the eyes out. Now they all have different eyes and are changed at will. They eyes were the most challenging item so far. Face ups are next. This time last year I was a complete noob with zero experience. I have read a lot here and at DOA. I asked lots of noob questions. Everyone has been most helpful here and at DOA with anything I have asked about. It can be disconcerting to pull something apart that you spent so much money on, but it is well worth the experience. When I have been with other doll lovers the ones that seem to have the most fun are those that will customize and modify. After all Volks intended for us to do this with them. In a sense the dolls are a stage we get to play on.

Bobby

[MieAga]

Because it's one of the most bonding things you can do with your doll. Not only did you pick them, but you made their persona. All of it!!! It really is your creation, your 'child'...brain child anyway;)

BTW- Let me know if you want tips in painting you Esheki's hair. Mine, Oni has blonde/ yellow, and it's really not hard if you know how to pop his hair off and paint it seperate...mayhap a good intro into customizing???

[april]

There are people who never do faceups and never WANT to do faceups, and that's fine, I think. In the BJD world, you don't have to paint your own doll unless you want to.

I felt extremely reluctant to do my own faceup on my first doll. Faceups, to me, are VERY important and can make or break a doll. I was worried that I may not like the doll as much if it had a faceup I didn't like and I was wary of sending heads out for faceups that I might not find "perfect" enough, nor was I confident about doing a faceup myself, despite have all the art supplies at hand already.

I STILL feel that way, although I'm less worried about faceups now. I still will get default faceups if I'm attracted to them. I just prefer buying something that is a known quality. Some other people will be more adventurous, but that's just not me.

I have done faceups on several of my dolls, and yes, it's great to know that a faceup attempt is easy to remove so that one can keep trying until you get it right, though. Really, it's whatever you feel is right for you... If you want to do a faceup, then definitely read up on it and give it a try. If you don't feel confident enough, then save up a little more money and pay for one.

[eggsoup]

I have re-strung, face-up'd, Body blushed, modded scars onto, cut wigs, and opened eyes and mouths of my dolls. : D I am not afraid to modify them.

[ozziegoth]

Try going the whole hog and dyeing a BW boy black!! Scared the pants off me at first.

[chrissa5girl]

Be brave, get your supplies, and go at it! Take pics of your first face ups so you'll see how much you're improving, and it'll give you more confidence:)

[Jjajang]

I was really scared at first when I sanded down my sists nose to make it rounder, but I was really glad on how it came out. Sometimes you just gotta take that jump and do it.

I'm excited in doing her faceup once i get all the supplies because I love paitning and such.

I think customizing you own doll makes you connect with it easier, but that's just me.

[studio-BJD]

I am new to the whole world of BJD's

can anyone tell me what the largest size Obitsu body is please?

and recommend a not-so-big busted 70cm lady please?

where would I buy painting supplies in Australia?

[ozziegoth]

I took a $700 b/new doll and dyed him black....does this count? It was terrifying and I was shaking so badly I spilled dye all over the kitchen!

[Bobster]

I took a $700 b/new doll and dyed him black....does this count? It was terrifying and I was shaking so badly I spilled dye all over the kitchen!

Wow. That counts in my book. It took me some time just to pull the eyes out.

Bobby

[Bobster]

I am new to the whole world of BJD's

...Snip..

where would I buy painting supplies in Australia?

Can't tell you a specific shop, but in general most hobby shops and art supply stores sell paints that will work. Are you looking for face up materials?

Bobby

[rianne]

It's really not too daunting once you jump in. I use extremely high quality watercolor pencils and pastels, Mr. Super Clear UV cut, mr. color paints and tamiya gloss for my work. This is only my 3rd faceup (2nd on this doll) and it's fine. :)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/dryadk/DSCF0001.jpg
I've also modded his body a lot and it came out perfectly.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/dryadk/DSCF0015.jpg
as long as you're careful and really pay attention to what you're doing it should work out fine.

[VelvetBat]

With my first doll, I did the face-up myself. Before I started I read a lot about doing face-up, so I knew that if I was using the right materials, nothing can happen. If it looks aweful, you can remove it.

And when I got my Lu-Wen Vampire head, I wanted to open the eyes a little. So after reading about that subject, I tried it myself.

Ofcourse dolls are expensive, but I always read about the mod I am going to do before doing it. And then I feel totally comfortable. And with my current and future dolls I am going to do even bigger modifications. (for example my dollzone cherry will be dyed, eyes closed, her cheecks are already sanded off, and I want a delf soony to mod to a cat-like face)

[liltigre]

Modding's not as bad as it sounds. I was terrified myself at first, but I knew I wanted to do my own faceups. And later on I ended up reshaping one of my doll's faces by carving her jaw line to not be so square. It's a matter of going slowly, studying up beforehand, and doing it in very small stages if you're removing resin. Part of the appeal of these dolls is that they can be manipulated like this.

[miakyou]

No....no....no...I don't have a gut to customize myself to ruin expensive stuffs!

[RavenStorm]

I rather have someone else do my face-up. I dont want to mess it up and I really don't know waht to use on the doll.

[Izayoi]

Face ups are difficult but if you make a mistake you can remove the paint and start over. It is very hard to damage a doll by doing a face up as long as you use the correct materials. Volks has posted a tutorial (http://site.volksusa.com/sumikatimes/2009/06/14/assembling-your-msd-part-4/) on how to do a face up.

[cifr]

Honestly, I love customizing my dolls, as to make them become really unique and truly OOAK. I'm not a professional modification maker, but I usually try, very slowly, to sand off places on the sculpt until I satisfied with the result. Most of my mod works took up to a month to finish. (Resin cannot grow back like the living things' organs, so I must pay great attention to do. XD)

I can still remember the first time I sand off my kid sculpt. That's an excitement to see the result in a fear of making mistakes. But after the first start off, I found myself usually doing that for my kids. I just believe that fear and brave together bring great results. XD

[reesescups]

i'd be terrified to customize. i have no faceup talent at all XD i'd rather leave it to the professionals.

[Suu-chan]

I have one girl that I will probably never do a face-up on. I love her default face xP

But I would love to be able to do a face-up someday, but I would never start on one of my own dolls. I would buy a cheap, practice head.

[Scyllua]

Prior to my first face-up, the last time I'd taken up a brush was back when I was in primary school. I'm not exaggerating this. But, well, I got into BJDs because I loved the idea of customizing a doll any way you wanted, so I also had this idea you had to try your face-ups yourself. Of course, I first got a "practice head", read lots of tutorials and failed at the basic of the basics, spraying MSC (I don't have to explain what my face-ups were like, do I).

Some months afterward and now with my first complete doll, I'm still trying my own face-ups. They look... yeah, sort of crappy, but not as bad as my first ones, since practicing does work. I've even tried a minor modification on my doll (I separated his fingers). Was I scared of badly messing everything up? Why, of course. But it seems my "I want to do it myself!" determination was stronger. Also, I had this idea that I could fix any potential mistake if it wasn't catastrophic, and that my doll wasn't an expensive one... I'd probably think it twice if I were to customize, let's say, a Dollshe (a DS Saint is my dream doll). But, you know? It's more than likely that, after that second thought, I'd try it nonetheless. That little determination I was talking about shouts louder than any thought of caution or feeling of dread...

[masala_chai_tea]

Sometimes you get there, but it takes time. Once I first removed the default paint on my first, I was addicted! XD

[ellynor]

Oh my, it took me 2 weeks to seriously touch my first BJD. I have enhanced a face-up, but have not been bold enough to do one entirely. I have; however, changed a little boy body to a little girl body. After working with resin and BJDs for a little over 2 years and reading until my brain oozes out of my ear, I see that in most cases, someone can help you fix something that might break or go wrong. AnnMarie

[CherryChansGifts]

Actually...I don't think I could ever customize my own doll...unless it was an obitsu doll that I wanted to make into an anime doll...you know the 23-27cm vinyl dolls? Those are easier to customize if you are just starting out...but even though I've had lots of practice on tinier, cheaper dolls...but I don't think I'd ever get the courage to do it on a $500 dollar doll...unless it was a dollfie dream because I am good at an Anime style face up...but realistic? Nope!

[pbrennan42]

If anything I'd get an Obitsu head and practice on that, if you mess up too much your only out about $20 instead of $200. You can also make some up and sell them to pay for the zillion dollar head you want :D

You got any relevant links to those heads? I can quite happily drop the odd $20 on a head to practice on while I save up for my first 42" BJD, and doing my own face-ups mean that I can save money on the doll by not paying out for the standard makeup and doing it myself.

If I can paint decent faces on 28 and 56mm miniatures (Games Workshop and Forge World), I can do it on bigger things. I just got to remember to be far more subtle than I would on a tiny wargames mini, and use loads of photo references of other face-ups...

Phil.

[gloombox]

My very first doll was an MSD Sakura kit - I highly recommend the kits for nervous first time owners!

They really force you to take the plunge and learn how to do everything that will, in the long run, be necessary to maintain your doll. Sanding, stringing, blushing, faceups...

As long as you use quality materials that are compatible with resin, staining is unlikely to happen. And even if it does happen, a light sanding can remove the stained surface without changing the features of the doll at all. :)

[kiwae]

Eventually I had to try it out once I saw a chip in the faceup, I gradually gotten the supplies and tried about ten times of starting the faceup but then after three or four sprays I couldn't finish. I never finished a faceup from start to finish I'll try again one day when I get more spray cans and better brushes. I did try sanding him down though and almost finished, the hardest part is right under his nose.

[Karie Chaos]

I've not done it yet, but I figure if I'm going to do it.... Being tentative isn't going to get me far. I've just got to pull up my big-girl-panties and go for it. XD

I've a BBB Sprite boy coming too me that is going to be my first 'project' doll. I'm going to dye him about the same colour as my font, possibly just a hair lighter, and do some fun painting and a face-up on him. so yeah, tentative I am not. XD

[richila]

I started buying dolls from Planet Doll-they don't come with faceups. I had enchanced existing faceups, but they forced me to actually do a faceup. So, I read and bought inexpensive chalk pastels and watercolor pencils. Once I found out I like doing faceups, I bought better materials and 7 out of my 8 dolls now have faceups I have done. It even inspired me to do some sanding and apoxie sculpt mods on my most recent doll.

[toshirodragon]

I knew when I bought my Wang Zi that he needed freckles, so when he got here I added them. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your view, I messed up the face up and ended up wiping 3/4s of it.

However I learned a LOT of important things from that experience so when my Evan and recently Tedros arrived I knew what to NOT do and have added freckles and a little extra color to Tedros.

I also played around with the too pale face up on my Buddydoll Julian and now am MUCH happy because he doesn't look like a domestic abuse victim anymore.

[demented pea]

I frequently do face ups more than once...sometimes dolls stay faceless for a while before I pick up the brushes etc...

Take time to do it, if I rush cos' i want to get to the dressing bit then it goes wrong. I like doing faceups even if I get them wrong. They can be wiped and re done. Good brushes are essential and make all the difference.

Practice makes perfect.

[dhawktx]

@pbrennan42: Parabox has the Obitsu heads for the 1/3 scale dolls - The Haruka is to die for and only $19 right now. The Parabox heads aren't shabby either, and are only a few dollars more. Some have elf ears. One has human ears and elf ears as an included accessory! I don't even HAVE a larger body and I got a Gretel and an Angela to practice on.

http://www.parabox.jp/eng/60_head_obitsu.html

http://www.parabox.jp/eng/60_head_parabox.html

[cacauflower]

wow you guys are making em want to do face up...
i wonder if it's the same material we use for blythes face ups...
cos i already use msc flat and pastels...

my problem is mainly the eyes.. i could do lips, no worries i can even carve lips, but do the bottom eyelashes on the face up... ahhhhhhh no idea how to do that well...
what do u use for that...?!!!

[toshirodragon]

wow you guys are making em want to do face up...
i wonder if it's the same material we use for blythes face ups...
cos i already use msc flat and pastels...

my problem is mainly the eyes.. i could do lips, no worries i can even carve lips, but do the bottom eyelashes on the face up... ahhhhhhh no idea how to do that well...
what do u use for that...?!!!

I use a very very sharp watercolor pencil and don't press hard.

Some people can paint them with super fine brushes and thinned out acrylic paint and I bow to their skills!

[Karie Chaos]

My friend thinks I'm too stupid to be scared. I have done two face-ups, and dyed a WS BBB/RS doll the same shade of purple I type with. I WANT to mod my DF guy because I want him to have a more mature body instead of the chubbo MSD body he's got (moobs... itty bitty moobs, I swear) but that requires more still than I've got right now. I'm good with additive stuff, from working clay, but I was never good at carving what I wanted out of an existing shape. And there's really no way to 'practice' that! I don't want to kill him, so he'll wait until I have cash again and can afford to find someone to mod his bod for me. XP

[cacauflower]

I use a very very sharp watercolor pencil and don't press hard.

Some people can paint them with super fine brushes and thinned out acrylic paint and I bow to their skills!

thanks i was thinking of something like a hard thin brush i wondered if there was like a pencil i could use, but i guess a thin brush would have a better result!

[toshirodragon]

thanks i was thinking of something like a hard thin brush i wondered if there was like a pencil i could use, but i guess a thin brush would have a better result!

Depends on you skills. I press to hard with a brush, possibly because my sense of touch isn't to good, so I get thinner, finer lines with a pencil.

[AmyAngel]

You don't really want a hard thin brush, but a flexible thin one. I have a 30/0 brush I use for eyeliner but I find it too thick for eyebrows and lashes, for those I got a 18/0 brush on clearance and cut away the bristles around the edges until it was very, very thin. A thin brush plus very thin acrylic paint is key! I've seen some done very well with watercolor pencils, but I can't get those to do what I want, they always look grainy when I do them, so for me paint is easier. Luckily faceups (when done properly) are removable, so it's no big deal to practice and try out different techniques to find what works best for you!

[dhawktx]

You might also be surprised to find out that a longer haired brush will give you better lines - my favorites have been the Princeton Minis: (http://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-mini-brushes-series-3050/)20/0 Liner and Monogram brushes. The Extra Long liner is traditionally used for pinstriping so I really haven't had a use for it on dolls.

Also, if you have a chance to try out Fluid Acrylics you will be amazed at how easy they are to use - but they are very intensely pigmented. Just make sure to get the Fluid Acrylic medium and/or Airbrush medium to thin them instead of using water. (too much water will break the acrylic bond and the faceup will be full of Fail!)

I started with the 8 piece set. Golden doesn't sell direct, but you can find a local reseller and have your selection delivered to them for purchase via their 'Shopatron' (http://www.goldenpaints.com/company/shopatron.php) service.

http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/color/sets.php

http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/medsadds/mediums/index.php

http://www.goldenpaints.com/company/news/2009/GoldenExpandsProductOffering.php

[demented pea]

I am an artist...as in I paint on canvas... but painting a doll, man it is so hard. I still have to do them more than once. I can't afford to pay someone else to do it so I keep trying. I look at the demo's too. I am never going to be a professional face up artist but thats ok

[emilia]

I see all dolls as a blank canvas and usually do at least minor changes when the doll is straight out of the box. I admit it was scary moding or making a face up for BJD for the first time, but with years of experience with vinyl dolls I managed to get it done.

[Saraqael2000]

One of the main things that drew me to this hobby in the first place was the ability to customize the dolls and do my own faceups. I recently finished my first faceup (on a DT Estella) and I'm almost finished with my second (on a DT Elysia).

I haven't tried any sort of body modifications, though. I don't have any interest in doing that.

[Gamachii]

I really want to do my own face up. I paint traditionally a lot and am good with tiny details, so it seems only natural to grab a tiny miniature painting brush and go to work. However, I'm going to have to use something removable, so I can change the face and try several times until I get it just right.

[MollyKerr]

Face ups and blushing, yes. Cutting limbs to make a doll shorter, no! Lol :D

[Ruki]

The best thing about this hobby is how much you can customize and modd your doll into your liking. Having a truly one-of-a-kind doll sitting on your shelf smiling down at you.

I've modded myself out of a few selling-or-keeping situations, ending up keeping them as I sat down cutting and sanding their faces. Who cares if it was once a limited head, now it's all yours and no one else's in the entire world.

[waytodawn]

Yeah.
That's why I'm paying someone who knows what they're doing to do my dolls faceup. :oops