Watercolor Headdress

I am still playing around with the art doll I shared with you last week.  Inspired by a tutorial shared by Ross Barbera on how to create rice paper earrings, I created a waterlily headdress for my doll along with some rice paper earrings.  I thought I would share some pictures with you and the link to the Ross Barbera’s free tutorials.  And yes, I did paint the cheesecloth that I will be using for her skirt with watercolors!

  You can click on the link to see his tutorials here:

 http://watercolorjewelry.com/blog/?page_id=1776

If you are interested in how I use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration I share those techniques in an online class I am currently teaching on AforArtistic called Flower Faeries.  If you would like to learn more about it or wish to join me in the class just click on the following link.

http://www.aforartistic.com/flower-fairies-with-marla-l-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

New Eye Technique

I am always trying to develop new and better techniques with my doll making so that my art reflects more of what is in my mind.  I haven’t been satisfied with the eyes I have been making on my needle sculpted dolls and have been contemplating the subject for quite some time.  Last spring I came up with a way to cover a wooden bead with cloth and insert it into the needle sculpted head.  It was a pretty cool technique but it just didn’t hit the mark of what I saw in my head when I looked at the finished dolls.  So I set the idea aside until quite recently when a new idea just popped into my head.  The eyes on this doll are completely needle sculpted in cloth. I may play with it a bit more before teaching the technique in one of my classes. 

If you are interested in taking a needle sculpting class I am currently teaching my online Flower Faeries class on AforArtistic.  To find out more information and to sign up for it click on the following link to AforArtistic
http://www.aforartistic.com/flower-fairies-with-marla-l-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

What is on my Workbench?

I just thought I would share what is on my workbench this week with you.  I am in the process of creating some dolls for wedding cake toppers and I am also working on some needle sculpted ball jointed cloth dolls.  Here is a sneak peek.

Since I use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration I decided to make a watercolor paint-box inspired by some antique paint-boxes.  I used a metal tin for the actual paints and a cigar box to keep everything in.  I really enjoyed the entire process and plan to make a few more. 

If you want to learn how to needle-sculpt cloth dolls and how to use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration I am about to start teaching an online class on A for Artistic that includes instruction on those techniques.

  If you would like more information or would like to sign up just click on the link to AforArtistic.

Hope to see you in class!

http://www.aforartistic.com/flower-fairies-with-marla-l-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html