What To Use To Remove Disney Animator Doll Makeup

Donna is a professional person doll repaint and customizing artist with over 17 years of experience.

About Doll Repainting

1 of the hottest trends in the hobby earth right at present is doll customizing and repainting. It started becoming popular more than than ten years agone when people began revamping Barbies with custom costumes and making fairies out of them.

Today, almost renovations are done on the most popular brands (similar Barbie, Monster High, and Tonner Dolls) every bit well as other collectibles (like Way Royalty).

Ebay serves as a wonderful showcase for these custom dolls, and it'southward a great place to go if yous want to buy one instead of making it yourself. Some artists are so talented that they are able to command prices in the loftier hundreds or thousands for their creations. This is where nigh collectors first see a repainted doll and decide information technology is something they want to endeavour themselves.

Then what is involved? A repaint is when yous remove the manufacturing plant paint, then paw-depict the features with acrylic paints, commonly with a more realistic and pleasing appearance. This creates an OOAK (one of a kind) customized doll.

Tips Before You Begin

Repaints require a lot of trial and error.

Starting time, you lot will need a couple of cheap dolls to practice with. Use the playline Barbies which cost less than x dollars, or try Monster High ones if you prefer that basic shape. Even if you plan on painting the larger sixteen" Tonner dolls eventually, start on less costly models and you won't be upset if you lot have to redo information technology multiple times. If you lot must use a Tonner to beginning, get a inexpensive older one on eBay.
Some people similar to get-go painting right over the existing factory paint, just to get a feel for what it is like to paint on a 3D surface. Painting over existing paint is never done by professional doll artists, but many beginners exercise this when they outset. This enables you to become an idea of what the paint feels like on your castor, how information technology flows, and the shape of the doll's features. After you become accustomed to handling your supplies, you will have to remove the doll's factory features and practice on a blank face.
When yous are brave enough to starting time, you will be removing the face. About artists utilise straight acetone, which is the quickest and most efficient method for vinyl dolls. It is perfectly safe and does not impairment the plastic in whatsoever way. Don't get whatsoever acetone on the body, though, as it may impairment the vinyl that the body is made from. Wrapping everything just the head in a cloth or newspaper towel before you beginning working is a good idea. This prevents accidental drips, smudges, and dirt.
Once you have a clean canvas to work on, you lot can begin.

learn-how-to-repaint-barbie-and-fashion-dolls-how-to-paint-a-doll

Good Lighting Is Essential

When you lot fix your workspace, you'll need a really bright light correct. Daylight bulbs and a depression table lamp are best. I use two OTT lights, one on either side and two other lights likewise. Incandescent bulbs give too much of a xanthous cast, and then I first them with the Daylight CFLs that OTT lamps utilize.

If you are straining to run across, you won't be able to paint well, then make sure your infinite is brightly lit.

You lot'll Need Magnification

Hither is i thing that I recommend to everyone: A magnifying visor lens that you lot wear on your caput. Why is this so helpful? Because even though my eyesight is perfectly fine for shut piece of work, I don't possess bionic magnifying optics that allow me to see minute particular.

You may think that your doll looks great, but when you view her nether a magnifying lens, y'all will run into all the mistakes yous fabricated. If you lot intend to sell them, these mistakes will be apparent in photographs. If your repaint looks good under magnification, it will expect fantastic to the naked eye and more than probable to issue in a sale.

I have the kind of visor you lot wear on your head. It has a 2x and a 3x magnification. Yous can use one or both at the same time. The detail you tin capture is astonishing.

Magnification of the eye — Magnification of the middle

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Other Supplies Needed

You will need paints, brushes, and acetone for paint removal. You lot can starting time off using inexpensive craft shop paints if you like, only these are much more difficult to work with.

The difference between cheaper and more plush products is the amount of pigment versus filler. I prefer Golden brand fluid acrylic paint: a tiny bit lasts a long time. Some people use Liquitex tube paints, but these require much more than thinning.

If yous do cull a craft shop brand, Apple Barrel, Folk Art, or Delta are commonly used ones when starting. For a sealer, I employ Liquitex matte and gloss.

The Best Paintbrush

I accept used the same kind of castor for most of the past xiii years: an American Painter size 10/0 Spotter. Information technology is cheap with synthetic bristles. I accept tried more costly brushes with real fur beard just did not similar them at all.

How to Paint the Eyes

The eyes are really the main focus of a doll, so learning how to exercise great eyes is important.

I similar to start by laying downwards the shape of the eyebrows, every bit this can gear up the tone for the entire face up. This is where the doll will become a cracking deal of her expression from.
After the eyebrows, I outline the optics and lips to become the general shape I want.
Subsequently I outline the eyes, I fill in the whites of the eyes, add together some shading, and paint in the caruncle (the triangle at the innermost corner).
Shading can be used to requite the appearance of roundness in an expanse that is flat. Some Barbies take a very apartment middle area and you will need to create a rounded look using shading techniques. This is more advanced however and is not usually done by the beginner. Y'all will learn all this in fourth dimension.
I and so add in eyeshadow colors, and and then the iris, finishing by adding the pupil.
Lashes and liner come next, and lastly, the white highlights in the eye.

Painting the doll's eyes — Painting the doll's optics

Finishing With Lips, Cheeks, and Sealer

Having already laid down a preliminary outline to ascertain the shape, now I add together all my highlights and shading, finishing upwardly with a gloss or matte sealer when they are completely dry.
Chroma is the last step earlier I seal the optics and brows.
When I am happy with the doll repaint, I wait a couple of hours to make sure all paint is dry so seal any remaining painted areas with a matte sealer.

Everyone has their ain fashion and preferences, so what works for me may not work for you. You'll find your own way equally y'all gain some experience.

But the Basics

This has been a grossly oversimplified explanation of repainting a doll. There is a ton more than to know, lots of data and exercise's and don'ts that can make the difference between success and failure.

My Etsy Shop

Fantasy Dolls by D on Etsy
Welcome to Fantasy Dolls past doll repaint artist Donna Anne. Monster High Doll and Barbie Doll OOAK face up ups and repaints are my passion!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: I used a pinkish permanent mark on my Barbie doll's lips. They were perfect. Ii days later on, I noticed the color had bled, spreading out beyond the lip area and the color had turned brilliant orange. Tin can this exist fixed?

Respond: Possibly. You should never use any type of marker on a doll. Utilize Oxy-X cream to aid fade the stain.

Question: Is information technology possible and/or okay to change the entire skin tone of a doll? Let's say, is it okay to utilize acrylic paints on a light skinned doll to make it darker in peel tone?

Respond: A very talented artist may be able to become away with this with the right products and sealers, but for nigh people, the results will be poor. Brush strokes volition show- it volition chip, flake and won't look that bully. The all-time option is airbrushing.

Question: Do I take to use a primer before repainting with acrylics?

Respond: No - acrylics are painted correct on the vinyl.

Question: When repainting Barbies and other dolls, how do you get the watercolor pencil to stick? Layer upon layer until it shows upwardly?

Answer: You have to seal the doll well with no less than three coats of either Mister Super Articulate or Testor'south Dullcote. Apply more sealer later on every layer of colour to enable you lot to build up layers of colour.

Question: What sort of primer and/or sealer is used with pastels?

Answer: I apply Testors Dullcote. Many people use MSC ( Mister Super Articulate ) but due to the extremely toxic nature of this particular I choose not to utilize information technology. For the vast majority of mode doll repaints, Testors Dullcote works just fine ( at half the toll likewise. ) For BJD'southward MSC would be the way to go.

Question: What brand of soft pastels is used for the blush and eyeshadow for Barbies? Where would I purchase the soft blush and eyeshadow for Barbies? Exercise you have makeup classes? I'1000 willing to travel

Respond: You can use any make you like. I apply Shminke too as others. You lot can buy these in any art supply store or even Dick Blick online. No- I don't take classes.

Question: I have MSC and have primed 3 layers simply my pencils won't put down paint. They are cheap. Is this the problem?

Answer: Are you using watercolor pencils and not just regular colored pencils ( which won't work under whatever circumstances )? Try either Derwent or another loftier-quality make. You won't become expert results with cheaper ones. Really Derwent and like are non at all expensive, just maybe a better quality. Dick Blick has good quality ones.

Question: Does acrylic paint smudge when wet?

Answer: Whatever paint volition smudge when wet.

Question: I watched a video on YouTube and they said to use chalk pastels to repaint Barbies, what are your thoughts on that?

Answer: I apply them all the time in conjunction with acrylic paints and watercolor pencils. Watch DollLightFull on YouTube- I believe she gives a lot of explanations and supplies list. As well long, detailed and complicated for me to cover hither.

Question: Can I use oil colours for Barbie face painting?

Respond: Admittedly not. Oil paint non simply volition damage the vinyl potentially, merely it will never, ever, ever dry out. Acrylic paints only for doll repainting.

Question: I bought this actually cheap doll a couple of years agone, and just recently I tried to castor the pilus ( I color Barbie hair with washable markers!) and the hair came out. I'm currently trying to run up the hair dorsum in with yarn. The paint I've noticed is starting to come off some. They are small piffling details. What size brushes do you prefer for touching upwardly small details on a doll?

Answer: For a castor a x/0 sentinel is a good size.

Question: How do you practise blush to get a soft powdery look? Women usually apply a powder.

Answer: We utilize soft pastels for all blushing likewise as eye shadow.

Question: Have you ever repainted a doll to cover green ear?

Answer: Green ear can be faded with Oxy 10 foam sometimes. I would never pigment over green ear.

Question: Can you use normal colored pencils to paint on a barbie face?

Answer: No. You must use watercolor pencils. You use them dry out though, non wet.

Question: Do you utilise paint or pastels to repaint barbies and other dolls?

Reply: I use all three on all my dolls -- acrylic paint, pastels, and watercolor pencils. Paint is the majority, however.

Question: How do I remove acrylic pigment that has already stale on a doll, & also has a smudge from the acrylic paint?

Answer: Employ straight acetone- not nail smoothen remover.

Question: I colored my dolls pilus using sharpie how can I get it off of her confront? What tin I use?

Answer: This will be almost impossible to remove. Y'all tin try Oxy 10 Foam and get out it on the stained area for a few days and lay her in the sunday to assistance the bleaching process if you can. Yet, Sharpie should never be used on vinyl dolls because it bleeds similar what happened to your doll. If the Oxy Ten Cream does not aid and then there is non much more you lot can do. Sharpie markers are permanent and stain terribly by soaking into the vinyl and sadly there is no helping that. At least information technology is a lesson learned and you tin can avoid doing this again.

Question: Is there a way to become acrylic pigment off a doll if it has already dried? I am agape the black ink may be stained.

Reply: Yes, easily- only use acetone. It will remove all the paint.

Question: I am having trouble finding dolls to get started, doll customizers have pretty much emptied the used lots hither and soaked up all resource bachelor. Practise y'all have any suggestions?

Reply: Yes- Buy online. Amazon, Ebay, Walmart. :)

Question: I am completely new to repaints, and just started on my first doll a few days ago. I wanted to use my watercolor pencils, so her head needed to be sprayed with sealer. I don't have whatsoever sealer around my house, only I have quite a lot of varnish. I sprayed on a thin glaze of varnish, and it still hasn't stale afterward more than 24 hours. Should I just purchased some sealant, or is the individual bottle merely bad?

Answer: You can't use just any spray sealer on a vinyl doll. Some are just non suitable as they don't dry well, go out the doll shiny, practice not have whatever tooth, etc. The recommended ones that the vast majority of us apply are Testors Dullcote, Mister Super Articulate and Purity Seal ( I have no feel with that one ). Testors Dullcote is inexpensive and can be plant in most arts and crafts and hobby stores. MSC ( Mister Super Clear ) is extremely toxic and requires a respirator to employ it- OUTDOORS simply. For a beginner, don't waste your coin on MSC. You lot volition go just as practiced results with Testors. Good luck- NEVER spray in the firm, exercise not jiff in- keep away from all pets. Be safe!!

Question: I have repainted a Gene'southward lips. Information technology turned out ok but around the lips, the skin is light reddish/pink from restarting and wiping. What can I use to make clean my doll'due south painted lips?

Answer: At this bespeak, you volition have to wipe information technology make clean. Then use Oxy 10 cream or other similar production that has hydrogen peroxide in information technology. You can use this to remove the staining equally you are past the bespeak where acetone will help. Leave cream on the stained expanse and let the doll sit in the sun. Side by side day wipe off Oxy Ten cream and repeat how e'er many times are needed until the stain is gone.

Question: I've got the Hottoys one/half dozen Superman figure. I'd similar to exist able to affect upwardly the neck here and at that place by just matching the color that's been rubbed off by the headsculpt.I understand that acrylic is the manner to go. The neck is soft vinyl. Can you recommend the type of sealer that would be best after I'k done touching it up? The role of the cervix that is withal looking good has a satin-like cease. I really can't strip the pigment off that's existing because of the clothes. Any advice?

Answer: I have always used Liquitex Matte liquid sealer- and on the rare occasions I have done figurines, this worked well for them too.

Question: I have an old barbie doll that I want to repaint there are stains of old permanent marker, how exercise I get rid of the stains?

Answer: You may be able to fade them with Oxy X acne cream. It contains peroxide and is what doll artists use to remove staining. Put the foam on the stains and let doll sit in the sunlight. Repeat every bit often as needed until stains take faded.

Question: What kind of pastels do you lot recommend for doll repaints?

Answer: I use Schmincke and Unison. Both are very soft and easy to apply. You tin can also apply Pan Pastels.

Question: I would like to close the mouth of a Barbie. In that location is a tutorial on Youtube, which shows to remove the teeth and to glue the lips together with flexible gel glue. I think well-nigh: the teeth zone of my Curvy MTM Barbie is very small, then maybe I would color and shade the teeth. Do you accept feel in doing this? I would be thankful for example.

Respond: I have plant that the procedure of teeth removal leaves a very unnatural and unattractive look. It works, but you have to employ super gum and it just looks awful. I take a client who I repaint for and the dolls sent have this done usually and even my repainting skills tin't make them look very nice. Better of doing a head switch if you lot desire a non-smiler on the Curvy MTM body.

Question: Why is the paint chipping and coming off? What can I practise to prevent this?

Answer: Mill paint or paint that you practical?

Question: Tin can you employ make-upward, similar blush or eyeshadow on a doll? I know you lot would NEVER want to utilise lipstick or any type of gloss, but would powders be okay to become some glitter or sheen?

Answer: Short answer is no. Virtually makeup for people has oil in it, which volition stain and ruin a doll's face. You can employ mica powders all the same as these are oil free.

Question: What can I use to get ride of factory paint instead of 100% acetone?

Answer: Almost anything else will not work well and may damage the doll. Almost anybody uses 100% acetone. It is cheap, easy to obtain and only takes a few seconds to remove the face up pigment.

Question: Is it ok to use enamel pigment on the heads and bodies of a Barbie?

Answer: I accept never heard of anyone using enamel for fashion doll repaints, and so I would have to say no. If no i does this, then in that location is commonly a very good reason why it is not washed. Would not take chances ruining a doll with enamel pigment.

Question: How exercise I make acrylic paint wait shine with no castor strokes on vinyl dolls? I see a lot of artists paint with acrylic and it looks shine almost similar motorcar-made.

Respond: Information technology starts with high-quality paint, similar Gold or Utrecht. High-quality fluid acrylics to beginning and if needed a good flow improver volition help. Golden makes ane, and so do other companies. The paint has to be thinned especially if it is cheap craft store paint like Apple or Delta. I use all these paints, simply the cheap ones do demand to exist thinned. Not as well much- merely plenty to get a good flow.

Question: Do you accept to use shading on the skin when repainting dolls? I tried this and it didn't work.

Answer: No, you don't have to do whatsoever shading on the doll bodies. That is a personal preference. If you had a problem with shading did you lot do the post-obit steps? Make sure you have at least iii layers of MSC or Testors Dullcote sealer applied to the body areas before you lot use your soft pastels to shade. Then make sure yous utilise 2-3 more coats of sealer to seal it and prevent it from rubbing off.

Lady-in-a-Window (author) from United States on August 28, 2018:

I have never found that i coat covers well. You will demand more than that and several layers of sealer.

Albert Roman on August 27, 2018:

I only want to paint the hands and part of the artillery to match the pink and / or blue of the doll'south legs I'm going to put in space uniforms. What would exist the best kind of pigment to use? One coat if possible.

BeatsMe on June 28, 2014:

Thanks. I didn't know there are hobbies such as repainting doll'due south faces. This is very interesting.