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littleclaygirl · Member

First supplies ordered!

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

You're going to have so much fun with your "first" :)

Just don't be afraid to start. I used to "tiptoe" around my Peterkin for days before making that first stroke of paint. After that, all was so much easier :) Let us know when you start and put some pics in the artist showcase! Good luck! :)

littleclaygirl · Member

I did think about getting a peterkin, but I wanted one with closed eyes :) What did you use to paint your first? I think I'll be using acrylic paints in places where I'd varnish anyway, such as the eye lids and nostrils, and oil paints everywhere else. I'll try not to tip-toe, although the doll is so cute to start with I might have some trouble cutting open her body to re-stuff her! If I'm not too embarrassed I'll post her in the artist show case, and thanks for the good luck :D (I love your avatar ^_^)

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

I started with Genesis HSP right away because it seemed simpler that way. I managed to get all the supplies for them (they are thick, and can get over the borders easier than acrylics). I had some troubles finding the right thinner, though :) But I finally managed that too with some experimenting lol!

GHSP are great to me. I think I'll stick to them for now. I painted seven babies with my petite paints set, and there's still plenty more.

I heard that wirh acrylics you have to be careful not to put too much on your doll because you can easely get a "chalky" doll. Also, I don't know about mixing two different kinds of paints. More experienced reborners will probably give you better tips with that :) Also you can try "search" forum (in the middle of the screen) to see if there's already been a theme about combining two or more kinds of paints.

And thanks for the compliment! The doll in my avatar is Kadence from Denise Pratt. It was my first kit, i did it after my "test doll" Peterkin :)

littleclaygirl · Member

I'd love to give GHSP a try, but they seem quite expensive and I'd have to buy a heat gun too... I think I'll see how this one goes and invest more if I decide I like reborning. I can't imagine not liking it, but just to be on the safe side :D I tried painting a tiny doll with acrylics and it turned bright pink, so I am a little wary of using them. Thanks for all your help, by the way. And wow, that's only your first kit? It looks briliant, really professional!

Liselle · Guru

I would also recommend getting a small starter set of GHSP, or Authentic Reborn paints. You won't have the same results with other paints, and may end up frustrated by it. Or invest in a set of ADP (air dry paints).

Either way, be sure to use them the way they're called for. THIN THEM. I can't stress that enough.

There's lots of topix here to search, and should answer just about any question you have.

At any rate, welcome to this addictive art, and we hope to see pix soon!

littleclaygirl · Member

Thanks for the advice, Liselle! I'll remember that: thin paints. I'm interested in air dry paints, as I'm guessing that I'm less likely to damage the doll if I don't use heat. Are there any that you'd recommend? I'm in the UK and it seems that all the best reborning supplies come from other parts of the world, making shipping expensive. Pictures will come, so long as it doesn't turn out too bad!

Liselle · Guru

The company I got my paints from is no longer in business. I can private message you some companies, as we're not allowed to post competitor names in the forum, this being a Secrist forum. You can click on the forum in my signature, and go there if you'd like as well.

Bottom line is, use whatever method you're comfortable with. I used ADP, then Genesis as well. I've used both, and I like both. I use a heat gun, since I'm a little forgetful, and was always afraid that I'd leave a baby in the oven too long. LOL

You can search for my posts too, if you'd like a little more background on what I've done.

I found this link for you: http://www.stillmomentsnursery.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_76_218&products_id=1458

and http://www.luminairepaint.net/index.cfm

and this one too: http://store.dolldreams.net/LDC-Special-Reborn-Paint-Trial-Set-20-Piece-Set-13-oz-Jars_p_601.html

I haven't tried either one of them, to be honest, because I have a good supply of paints now. But you might like them.

-- Edited by Liselle on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 06:42:56 PM

-- Edited by Liselle on Tuesday 27th of December 2011 06:47:20 PM

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

I've spent a lot on customs and shipping since my country doesn't have any reborning supplies. All my dolls and supplies have come from USA or GB, and three dolls were from China :) But I'm still addicted and spend almost all my extra money on new kits :)

Today, my first package from BB arrived, yaaay! Since you're new, you probably don't know that BB at first didn't want to ship their supplies to Croatia. I was so happy when they finally added it to their list :))) It contained Cozy, its body, "creases" Genesis paint and two pairs of eyes for my 14" Berenguers I plan to reborn soon (first thing when I return to Zagreb)! I expect my second package to arrive in the coming week. Can't wait!

There is an online store in UK I used to get some supplies. If you want, I'll PM you their link. They have a good quality heat gun that isn't very expensive, a nice quality and not that expensive GHSP petite set (the one I used to paint my Kadence) and ocasionally, some great kits from many worldwide suppliers (even a few of their own). They ship fast, I never waited longer than a week for their packages to arrive :) You will probably wait only a day or two :)

Liselle · Guru

BB does ship VERY fast, and their products are top notch. They don't carry an air dry paint line though. Maybe we should suggest that?? After all, they did end up shipping to Croatia!!! :)

I wouldn't mind getting some more ADPs, since once I learned to use them properly, I really liked them.

littleclaygirl · Member

Thanks for being so helpful, everyone! Liselle, thanks for the links, I'll have a look at them in a moment :D I'm also going to use air dry paints for this first one (but I might leave on the factory paint- it's got cute blushing in the picture that I think could work okay, even if it's sort of cheating). Afterwards I'll probably invest in some proper reborn paint, as this first try will be with mainly oils and also some acrylics. I'd probably use a heat gun with heat set paints, too, as I don't have a spare oven and from what I've heard it's a lot faster, too. Friki Fimo, I bet you'll have fun reborning those berenguers! I'd love it if you could pm me the link to the UK online store, that would be very helpful.

Edit- The hair and sand just arrived. The sand is purply-pink, although I ordered purple, but that's okay because it won't be seen from the outside. What's annoying is that the hair isn't brown, it's purply-brown, so my doll may look a bit strange! I wish that the photos had been a bit more accurate when I was buying it.

-- Edited by littleclaygirl on Thursday 29th of December 2011 12:08:55 PM

Buffington · Guru

If you are going to use sand in your baby, please be sure not to ship it out of your country. Customs won't let it go anywhere as they consider it bio-hazard. Even if it's sold to use in dolls, if customs find it in they will either confiscate the item or distroy it. It's ok if you are going to keep the doll though I guess.
I can't wait to see your doll posted in the artist showcase! I like the hair color is you are doing a fantasy doll. It will work just right. :D