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Faye · Member

Internal Purple Wash

debdolls · Member

Hi Faye

This is my first post on this new forum (love the look and layout, BTW :) )

Most reborners that I know don't use the purple wash anymore because of that bleeding through problem. I've done it a time or 2 in the last year, but with a very thin, light layer. Your avatar baby is fantastic -- I can't believe it is your first. GREAT job!

Buffington · Guru

I guess it's your choice here. I always use the internal purple wash and teach all my students to do that also. I find that if I don't, my babies loose a little of the depth and realism that they would otherwise have with the perwinkle wash.

One thing that might cure your problem is to make sure that you don't leave a lot of wash in the toes and fingers. This alone is what causes them to do the bruised look. It's actually excess paint that has been trapped in them. I have developed a method that always works for me and my students...

Once you have applied the wash to your foot (lets use this for an example) you would then turn it upside down to drain any remaining paint and leave it sit for at least 5 minutes. Before you let it sit, hold the leg in one hand and smack the heal of the foot in the palm of your other hand (toes facing up) insuring that the excess paint that is stuck in the toes moves out and does not remain. Oh don't worry, it will coat nicely but not leave a lot of paint in the toes. Then drain as usual.

You can also run a few drops of thinner down in the toes to help move the excess paint.

I have only had that problem once and NEVER again using my method.

Date: Apr 29, 2008

Hi
I have been reborning for a year now--and ALWAYS do a colour wash inside my babies.I have never had a problem.Some say the colour wash can seep through the vinyl,but I cant see how this can happen.If the paints are set properly--there is no reason at all that this will happen.
I have also seen babies that have been washed on the outside,and to be honest,some look like they have been in a car crash.So I will continue to wash on the inside.
Love Tricia

Buffington · Guru

Thanks Tricia!

I did post in another thread that it's just the Secrist and Apple Valley vinyl that needs the internal purple wash. We make it specifically translucent so that when you do the internal wash (and bake it for 10 minutes not 8) it gives you those bluish undertones and realism.

There are a lot of kits out there that do not need an internal (or external) wash (IMHO) as their vinyl (or V/S mix) is not translucent, and the vinyl can be thicker so it doesn't really matter if you do it or not. Here in this forum we only speak of "our" vinyls. Although I do have an Ariella and I'm glad I did it with her because I'm really noticing the realism around the nose, eyes, ears and mouth.

LovesDolls · Guru

I stopped doing the purple wash. I had too much bruising even with using the heat set paints. Especially in the hands and feet. I'm completely happy with the results. It is really a matter of personal preference. Try one without (or with) and see what you think!

Cuisle · Veteran Member

May I please have an alternative for the internal "purple wash" I am about to newborn my first Secrist doll, a Lollipop

Heather M · Senior Member

I have done babies both ways and both look great. Caroline, even if you skip the purple wash the baby will turn out very cute. The baby in my avatar (my first baby ever) has it, but many of my other babies don't. For example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220231305642&ssPageName=STRK:MESO:IT&ih=012

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7374242

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220233876994

I think the Secrist babies look great almost any way that you paint them.

Cathy · Veteran Member

Heather, your babies are just beautiful. smile

Cuisle · Veteran Member

Thank you Heather. The Secrist instructions say that the vinyl is designed for the internal purple was - but many people seem to have much trouble with this - so I thought I'd try an alternative; say, the tiniest touch of blue added to the flesh tone. I'm trying to avoid the bruised look, which is a danger.

Heather M · Senior Member

Cuisle,

When I do blue on the surface areas, I do an extremely thin was of blue and only do it in those places where the blue or purple areas might show a bit--like between the eyes. I think Stupid Idiot productions has some free online tutorials on how to do this.

I have also heard that some people stuff the dolls with lavendar colored fabric. I haven't tried it, but that might work too.

Cathy,

Thanks!

precious_lullabies · Guru

i've never done the internal wash. I think that alot of the idea behind this wash was b/c when you hold a vinyl part up to the light or sun it becomes very translucent and this detracts from the realism b/c a normal baby's arm wouldn't kinda glow an orangy tone when in the sun. However, with the weighting of the limbs, as long as the limb is packed full with either weighting material (glass beads, plastic whatever) and polly fill - its no longer see through.

I also worry about the possibility of pigment migration over the decades. it would be awful to slowing have a purple seep to the surface of my babies skin.

And lastly i've never had a use for the purple wash, most the kits i use are not as traslucent as the secrist ones - i have/do use a secist kit from time to time, but most other makers kits are made from a very different vinyl to secrist. I never used the purple wash on the other kits i'd done so i didn't see the need for it on the secrist - i still have a result of a very realistic baby in the end.

basically i don't think there is a wrong or a right. paint the way you want... explore, invent, experiment... play -- its all part of the fun

nomes
(precious lullabies)
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZprecious_lullabies

wishingfactory · Member

Yeah, I agree with you Naomi. Just give it a play!

Alison
xx____xx