Let's Paint . . . a Reborn Vampire Doll!
Supply List
Genesis Flesh 08
Genesis Flesh 06
Genesis Titanium White
Genesis Yellow Ochre
Genesis Phthalo Blue 04
Genesis Phthalo Blue 02
Genesis Phthalo Green 06
Genesis Pyrrole Red 02
Genesis Quinacridone Crimson
Genesis Raw Umber
Genesis Dioxazine Purple 06
Genesis Ultramarine Blue (optional)
Bountiful Baby Warm Blush
Bountiful Baby Vein Blue
Bountiful Baby Creases
Bountiful Baby Lip/Nail/Blush
Bountiful Nail Tip
Authentic Reborn Strawberry Lip
Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Lip
Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Blush
Authentic Reborn Vein Blue
Genesis Thinning Medium
Genesis Satin Varnish
Genesis Matte Varnish (optional)
Odorless thinner
Cosmetic wedges (I like the really soft, squishy ones, but please use the type you’re comfortable with)
Mottle sponges of your choice
Porcelain palettes or bowls
Brushes of your choice. I use a 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch brush for measuring. I also use liner and script brushes for detail work (size 20/0). Other than that, I tend to grab anything that works and will go through between 50 and 100 brushes when I’m painting a doll (which you should not do since it’s a pain to wash them).
A DEDICATED OVEN!!! (I highly do NOT advocate baking vinyl in any oven you EVER plan to use for cooking food. If you are pregnant or nursing, have pets or children, I STRONGLY recommend using ALL caution to avoid exposing yourself and others to toxic vinyl fumes).
If you would like to try vampire fangs, please see my tutorial for a full list of supplies
Genesis Flesh 08
Genesis Flesh 06
Genesis Titanium White
Genesis Yellow Ochre
Genesis Phthalo Blue 04
Genesis Phthalo Blue 02
Genesis Phthalo Green 06
Genesis Pyrrole Red 02
Genesis Quinacridone Crimson
Genesis Raw Umber
Genesis Dioxazine Purple 06
Genesis Ultramarine Blue (optional)
Bountiful Baby Warm Blush
Bountiful Baby Vein Blue
Bountiful Baby Creases
Bountiful Baby Lip/Nail/Blush
Bountiful Nail Tip
Authentic Reborn Strawberry Lip
Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Lip
Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Blush
Authentic Reborn Vein Blue
Genesis Thinning Medium
Genesis Satin Varnish
Genesis Matte Varnish (optional)
Odorless thinner
Cosmetic wedges (I like the really soft, squishy ones, but please use the type you’re comfortable with)
Mottle sponges of your choice
Porcelain palettes or bowls
Brushes of your choice. I use a 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch brush for measuring. I also use liner and script brushes for detail work (size 20/0). Other than that, I tend to grab anything that works and will go through between 50 and 100 brushes when I’m painting a doll (which you should not do since it’s a pain to wash them).
A DEDICATED OVEN!!! (I highly do NOT advocate baking vinyl in any oven you EVER plan to use for cooking food. If you are pregnant or nursing, have pets or children, I STRONGLY recommend using ALL caution to avoid exposing yourself and others to toxic vinyl fumes).
If you would like to try vampire fangs, please see my tutorial for a full list of supplies
I used both Anastasia Auer and Lizzy Stoete for this project. You will see both of these kits throughout this tutorial. I hope this does not cause any confusion!
Cheers, and enjoy!
Cheers, and enjoy!
The brushes I used to measure my paint
My favourite Sponges
My favourite mottling sponges
Please note, even if not specifically stated, I let all my thinner evaporate before baking at 265 degrees Fahrenheit after each layer. I also let the vinyl cool completely before proceeding with the next layer
Also note, for the purposes of this tutorial, one brush = 1 brush stroke through the paint. I usually add four brush strokes before mixing completely and going back for more. A touch of paint is just the tips of the bristles dipped in the paint.
And finally, unless otherwise specified, I did use the 3/8 mop brush for measuring. I have noted all the places were the 1/4 brush was used. If it does not say a specific brush size, please use the 3/8 mop.
Also note, for the purposes of this tutorial, one brush = 1 brush stroke through the paint. I usually add four brush strokes before mixing completely and going back for more. A touch of paint is just the tips of the bristles dipped in the paint.
And finally, unless otherwise specified, I did use the 3/8 mop brush for measuring. I have noted all the places were the 1/4 brush was used. If it does not say a specific brush size, please use the 3/8 mop.
Neutralise
Please note: this only works for peach vinyl. Please use the appropriate neutralising colour for your kit.
1/4 inch brush
1/2 tablespoon of thinner
12 brush strokes of flesh 08
Touch of phthalo blue 04
Touch of phthalo green 06
Brush on a thin layer and then pounce really well to even out. Let thinner flash (i.e. evaporate) completely before baking, and let the vinyl cool completely before proceeding to the next layer. I painted a total of three layers to get the base tone I wanted, baking between each layer at 265 degrees f for 8 minutes. You may have to do more or fewer layers depending on the kit.
Please note: this only works for peach vinyl. Please use the appropriate neutralising colour for your kit.
1/4 inch brush
1/2 tablespoon of thinner
12 brush strokes of flesh 08
Touch of phthalo blue 04
Touch of phthalo green 06
Brush on a thin layer and then pounce really well to even out. Let thinner flash (i.e. evaporate) completely before baking, and let the vinyl cool completely before proceeding to the next layer. I painted a total of three layers to get the base tone I wanted, baking between each layer at 265 degrees f for 8 minutes. You may have to do more or fewer layers depending on the kit.
Veins:
AR vein blue, pea sized.
Touch of BB vein blue
Splash of thinner
Paint on veins in the places you normally would. Let dry completely then pounce with wedge dipped in thinner and brush to diffuse. Bake for 8 minutes at 265 degrees f
Base Skin Tone
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3/8 Maxine mop brush 1 tbsp. Thinner 20 brush strokes of flesh 08 Brush on a thin layer then pounce to blend completely I painted this layer twice, baking between each layer Add 6 brush strokes of Titanium white to the above mixture. Paint on a thin layer and pounce to blend completely. Bake for 8 minutes at 265 degrees. |
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Add 6 strokes of flesh 08 and 6 strokes of titanium white to the above mixture.
Pounce on with a torn sponge or mottling sponge (avoiding palms, soles, lips, nails). Let flash completely then go over entire kit with a dry brush, blending any areas where the paint appears too harsh or obvious.
1/2 tbsp. odourless thinner
6 brush strokes of yellow ocher
Apply with the mottling sponge of your choice. Avoid lips and nails. After flashing, blend any areas where the paint appears too harsh or obvious.
1/2 tbsp. odourless thinner.
6 brush strokes of flesh 06
Apply with mottling sponge, avoiding lips & nails. After flashing, blend any areas where the paint appears too harsh or obvious
Mottling & Undertones
Blue undertones
1/2 tbsp. Thinner. Scant brush stroke each of phthalo blue 02 & phthalo green 06
Mottle the whole head avoiding the mid-face
Mottle the limbs, tops of feet and backs of hands, as well as the insteps and the heels of the hands.
Blue undertones
1/2 tbsp. Thinner. Scant brush stroke each of phthalo blue 02 & phthalo green 06
Mottle the whole head avoiding the mid-face
Mottle the limbs, tops of feet and backs of hands, as well as the insteps and the heels of the hands.
Paint lips, eye creases, lids, inner ears, nostrils and nails with AR strawberry lip colour
Red Mottle
1/2 tbsp. thinner
2 Brush strokes of pyrrole red 02
2 brush strokes of BB lip/nail blush
Apply with a mottling sponge. Allow to flash and then bake for 8 minutes
Red Mottle
1/2 tbsp. thinner
2 Brush strokes of pyrrole red 02
2 brush strokes of BB lip/nail blush
Apply with a mottling sponge. Allow to flash and then bake for 8 minutes
Dark purple mottle
Add touch of pthalo blue 02 to above mix
Let paint dry completely then pounce with a cosmetic wedge soaked in thinner. I usually go over the whole kit once to cover it with thinner, then go back to the beginning and pounce again to blend, using a firm motion. The reason why I do it this way is because I want to maintain my pattern while diffusing the intensity of the colour, I found that if I pounced when the paint was still wet, or used a thinner colour, I was losing the pattern of my mottling sponge and ending up with a bit of a blur, really.
Add touch of pthalo blue 02 to above mix
Let paint dry completely then pounce with a cosmetic wedge soaked in thinner. I usually go over the whole kit once to cover it with thinner, then go back to the beginning and pounce again to blend, using a firm motion. The reason why I do it this way is because I want to maintain my pattern while diffusing the intensity of the colour, I found that if I pounced when the paint was still wet, or used a thinner colour, I was losing the pattern of my mottling sponge and ending up with a bit of a blur, really.
Add 1/2 tbsp. thinner and 3 brush strokes of Purple 06, 3 brush strokes of pyrrole red 02
While still wet, pounce lightly with cosmetic wedge dampened with thinner
I have also added another layer of AR Strawberry Lip to the lips, nostrils, inner ears and facial creases.
Add 1/2 tbsp. thinner and 3 brush strokes of Purple 06, 3 brush strokes of pyrrole red 02
While still wet, pounce lightly with cosmetic wedge dampened with thinner
I have also added another layer of AR Strawberry Lip to the lips, nostrils, inner ears and facial creases.
Skin
1 tbsp. thinner
20 brush strokes of flesh 08 (sorry, forgot to take a picture and had to reuse the first one!)
I have added two more flesh layers, baking in between each. Please save this mixture for future use.
Blushing, Creases & Details
This is where things usually start becoming less linear for me and more slapdash, I’m afraid! Because this is when I start randomly adding detail colours to the doll (the colours aren’t random but the way I do it really is). So I’m going to say this: just do it whenever you want; there is no real need to stick to a specific order as long as the paint eventually winds up on the kit at some point before the next 'skin' layer.
I will be using some of my leftover yellow ochre to add some colour to the nose, upper and lower eye area, area above the lips, forehead and around the chin (usually two very thin layers).
I will also use a touch of BB vein blue with a splash of thinner to make a blue wash for the bridge of the nose and corner of the eyes as well as the temples, ankles, wrists, behind the knees and in the elbow creases.
I will further be using Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Lip colour to enhance my lips and paint the nail beds. In regards to nails, I am not going to go into great detail. I have found that everyone has a specific way they like to paint nails – some like moons, some do not. I usually paint moons since who knows how old my vampire babies really are? Could be two, could be one-hundred-and-two! Please paint your nails in the way you prefer!
I will be using some of my leftover yellow ochre to add some colour to the nose, upper and lower eye area, area above the lips, forehead and around the chin (usually two very thin layers).
I will also use a touch of BB vein blue with a splash of thinner to make a blue wash for the bridge of the nose and corner of the eyes as well as the temples, ankles, wrists, behind the knees and in the elbow creases.
I will further be using Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Lip colour to enhance my lips and paint the nail beds. In regards to nails, I am not going to go into great detail. I have found that everyone has a specific way they like to paint nails – some like moons, some do not. I usually paint moons since who knows how old my vampire babies really are? Could be two, could be one-hundred-and-two! Please paint your nails in the way you prefer!
First blushing/shading & crease colour
1/4 brush
Blob of thinning medium (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
4 brush strokes of crimson
4 brush strokes of raw umber
Paint on creases then go back over them with a dry brush and cosmetic wedge dampened with thinner (to clean up any over-flow). I also use this for my base blush colour. I paint on little dots on the cheeks, knees & elbows, then blend with a cosmetic wedge dipped in thinner. Please don’t forget the ears, pads of the fingers and the bottoms of the feet! I brush some on and then go back with a dry brush and dry cosmetic wedge to blend. I will paint one layer of this colour in the creases, and two layers for blushing, baking between each layer. I usually paint the second blush layer with my second crease colour to save baking time.
Blob of thinning medium (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
4 brush strokes of crimson
4 brush strokes of raw umber
Paint on creases then go back over them with a dry brush and cosmetic wedge dampened with thinner (to clean up any over-flow). I also use this for my base blush colour. I paint on little dots on the cheeks, knees & elbows, then blend with a cosmetic wedge dipped in thinner. Please don’t forget the ears, pads of the fingers and the bottoms of the feet! I brush some on and then go back with a dry brush and dry cosmetic wedge to blend. I will paint one layer of this colour in the creases, and two layers for blushing, baking between each layer. I usually paint the second blush layer with my second crease colour to save baking time.
Second crease colour
1/4 brush
Blob of thinning medium (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
4 brush strokes of BB crease colour
2 brush strokes of raw umber
Brush on creases then dry brush as per the previous crease layer. I also use this colour in the ears and nostrils. I paint two layers of this colour, baking after each layer.
1/4 brush
Blob of thinning medium (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
4 brush strokes of BB crease colour
2 brush strokes of raw umber
Brush on creases then dry brush as per the previous crease layer. I also use this colour in the ears and nostrils. I paint two layers of this colour, baking after each layer.
Skin
Add 1 brush stroke of phthalo green 06 to the leftover flesh 08 used on your previous skin layer.
Brush on and then pounce with a cosmetic wedge dipped in thinner and then wrung out. You should have tiny dots of this colour all over to give a slight porous appearance. Don’t worry: it doesn’t look green at all! It just gives the skin a nice porcelain colour.
Left arm has been painted with green/flesh Close-up of left arm
Final Blush colour
1/4 brush
Blob of thinning medium (about a 1/4 teaspoon)
4 Brush strokes of warm blush
4 brush strokes of BB lip nail blush
1 brushstroke of Pyrrole red 02
Splash of thinner
1/4 brush
Blob of thinning medium (about a 1/4 teaspoon)
4 Brush strokes of warm blush
4 brush strokes of BB lip nail blush
1 brushstroke of Pyrrole red 02
Splash of thinner
I dot some of this colour on the cheeks, forehead, chin, elbows & knees, and then pounce with a cosmetic wedge dipped in thinner and then wrung out. Also paint a bit on the nose, earlobes and outer rims of ears then dry brush or use a dry cosmetic wedge to smooth.
Details
As you can see above, I have also been slowly building up the lip colour. I have periodically lined the lips with Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Lip colour and carefully blended this in toward the middle of the lips. I did this a total of four times and then slightly emphasized the lip creases with my original crease/blush colour.
I have used Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Blush for my capillaries. I usually put these on the cheeks, eyelids, a few on the forehead, some on the ankles and wrists, knees and elbows, and ears using a 20/0 liner or script brush. Generally, I have two ways of doing this. Either I paint the colour on and then immediately take a dry brush and diffuse the colour (see picture of ear) or I paint the capillaries and allow them to dry completely then go back with a cosmetic wedge dipped in thinner and diffuse the colour through firm pouncing.
I have used Authentic Reborn Sweetheart Rose Blush for my capillaries. I usually put these on the cheeks, eyelids, a few on the forehead, some on the ankles and wrists, knees and elbows, and ears using a 20/0 liner or script brush. Generally, I have two ways of doing this. Either I paint the colour on and then immediately take a dry brush and diffuse the colour (see picture of ear) or I paint the capillaries and allow them to dry completely then go back with a cosmetic wedge dipped in thinner and diffuse the colour through firm pouncing.
I have also taken a bit of my original blush/crease colour and painted around my nails, and also added nail tips using my 20/0 liner brush dipped in thinned Bountiful Baby Nail Tip paint.
I gloss the inner ears, eyelids, lips and nails with Genesis Satin Varnish, mixed well and brushed on. This is not super shiny but gives a nice dewy finish. Please bake this layer more than once as it can crack if it is not completely cured.
If you would like to seal your entire baby with a Genesis medium, please use the one of your choice. I like a 50/50 mix of Satin and Matte Sealer with a dash of Flesh 08 and a pin prick of Ultramarine Blue, pounced on very well with a cosmetic wedge and baked at least 4 times, flipping each piece so that each side is baked twice. However, I have found sealer to be a very personal thing, so seriously, stick with your preference because you might really dislike mine!
If you would like to seal your entire baby with a Genesis medium, please use the one of your choice. I like a 50/50 mix of Satin and Matte Sealer with a dash of Flesh 08 and a pin prick of Ultramarine Blue, pounced on very well with a cosmetic wedge and baked at least 4 times, flipping each piece so that each side is baked twice. However, I have found sealer to be a very personal thing, so seriously, stick with your preference because you might really dislike mine!
And here they are!
Fully assembled and rooted - which I may cover another day - when I have more time! Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoyed!
Cheers!
Cheers!
And here are some bonus pix of babies that I created while developing this tutorial!
Property of Emily Cooke of The Deadly Nightshade Nursery. Please do not copy, sell or distribute without the express written permission of the author.