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Paint Set with the Beginner's Classroom DVD
by Pat Secrist

This tutorial will guide you on how to use the Authentic Reborn Petite Premixed Paint set in conjunction with the Course #3 DVD.

You wont need any thinner, except for the internal wash mix, as Authentic Reborn Premixed Paints are designed to be used without thinner.  These directions will guide you in using the premixed paints in a step-by-step manner as you follow along with the DVD.  The DVD will show you techniques in using paint brushes and sponges.  Bake Authentic Reborn Premixed Paints at 265° Fahrenheit or 130° Celsius for 8 minutes.   

How to Mix The Internal Purple Wash

•  
  • You will need Premixed Periwinkle Blue
    • Authentic Reborn Premixed Periwinkle Blue
    • Paint Mix Bottle
    • Odorless Thinner
  • Fill the paint mix bottle with the odorless thinner to within a ½ inch from the top. 
  • Cut the round tip off a craft stick so that the end of the stick is flat rather than rounded. 
  • Use the flat end of the stick to scrape all the Periwinkle Blue out of the jar. 
  • Now using the craft stick put all of the paint into the paint mix bottle. 
  • Shake well until all of the paint is absorbed into the thinner. 
  • Now you have the perfect mix and are ready to apply the internal wash as demonstrated on the Course #3 DVD!

• Veins
  • Dont use any paint thinner at all.
  • You will need:
    • Premixed Vein Paint
    • Authentic Reborn #6 Veining Brush
    • Cosmetic foam Wedge
  • The vein paint comes premixed and you don't need to thin it with odorless thinner.
  • Apply a small amount of vein paint in your paint palette and spread it out into a thin layer.
  • Roll your veining brush in that paint until there is a thin but even coat of paint on it.
  • Paint on a vein as demonstrated in the Course #3 DVD.  Use the photo veining chart for reference. 
  • Use the sponge to blot off excess vein paint as shown in the DVD. 
  • Turn the sponge over to a clean side then rub the vein with the sponge to lighten it further and soften the edges of the vein.

•  Skin Texture Foundation Layer
  • Dont use any paint thinner at all.
  • You will need:
    • Authentic Reborn Skin Texture foundation paint
    • Mushroom Sponge set
    • Petite Craft Stick
  • Now use the craft stick to scoop out of the jar an amount of Skin Texture Foundation paint about the size of ¼ of a penny. 
  • Spread the paint on the center of the end of the sponge until it all soaks into the sponge leaving no blobs or streak of paint on the surface of the sponge.
  • Now firmly press the sponge onto a paper towel once to unload any excess paint.
  • Now press the sponge firmly onto the vinyl and pull it off. You should have a dime size paint dot on the vinyl. Begin to pounce on the paint dot starting in the center then moving outward in a spiral motion until the paint dot has completely disappeared and an even coat of skin texture dots has been created. Repeat this process to cover the vinyl parts with and even coat of skin texture paint dots. This will result in an even skin texture over your entire baby. Pounce out the paint so that you can barely see the skin texture dots.  If the dots are too bright or chalky then you have too much paint on the sponge.  Unload all of the paint from the sponge and pounce over the chalky areas to remove the excess paint leaving a faint skin texture pattern behind.
  • Now bake at 265° Fahrenheit or 130° Celsius for 8 minutes.    

• First Blush Layer
  • Dont use any paint thinner at all.
  • You will need:
    • Strawberry or Peaches & Cream Blush
    • Cosmetic Foam Wedge
    • Craft Stick
  • Take the craft stick and apply the Strawberry Blush to the center of the sponge smoothing the paint directly into the sponge until there are no blobs or paint streaks left on the surface of the sponge at all. 
    • Scoop out of the jar an amount of blush paint about the size of ¼ of a penny onto your craft stick. 
  • Now you are ready to pounce the blush onto the vinyl. 
    • It's always better to start with too little blush and add more later than too make the baby too red from the start. 
    • One thin splotchy layer of blush is usually sufficient. 
    • If after looking at the baby in natural sunlight if you still feel it needs more blush, bake the current blush layer and then reload the sponge in the same manner and add more blush. 
    • You can always add more blush later on, after you have painted the lips, creases and wrinkles - but it is nearly impossible to remove it!
    • Now bake at 265° Fahrenheit or 130° Celsius for 8 minutes.    

• Blushing Detail
  • Dont use any paint thinner at all.
  • You will need:
    • Strawberry or Peaches & Cream Blush
    • Cosmetic Foam Wedge
    • Craft Stick
    • Authentic Reborn #3 Detail Mop
  • Use a dry sponge for this step. You won't need any thinner at all.
  • Scoop blush paint out of the jar and onto your craft stick. 
  • Apply the Strawberry Blush evenly to the end of the sponge smoothing the paint directly into the sponge until there are no blobs or paint streaks left on the surface of the sponge at all.  
  • Tap the end of your #3 Detail Mop onto the painted surface of the sponge to pick up and transfer the paint from the sponge to the entire tip of the brush.
  • Now using your #3 Detail Mop pounce the strawberry blush paint onto the vinyl as demonstrated in the Course #3 DVD to create the rashy looking pattern desired.
    • Now bake at 265° Fahrenheit or 130° Celsius for 8 minutes.     

• Lips
  • Dont use any paint thinner at all.
  • You will need:
    • Authentic Reborn #4 Lip & Nail Brush
    • Strawberry or Peaches & Cream Blush
    • Cosmetic Foam Wedge
  • Use the #4 Lip & Nail Brush to scoop a very tiny, tiny amount right from the jar of Strawberry Lip paint. 
  • Apply the paint to the inside of the lips first then spread the paint outward towards the edge of the lips. 
    • The goal is to apply one very, very transparent layer of paint - you want a thin, natural-looking coat of paint. Heat set then paint one more very transparent layer.  
    • Don't use any thinner at all. 
  • If you use a tiny enough amount then you should be able to spread it around so the lips have no streaks or smudges at all.  If you have too much paint on the lips then blot some of the excess paint off with a clean sponge.
  • The lip color should be very light and transparent.  You should be able to see through the color to the vinyl beneath. 
  • Real babies' lips are very light in color - too dark and they look like they're wearing lipstick!
  • Now bake at 265° Fahrenheit or 130° Celsius for 8 minutes.    

• Creases and Wrinkles
  • Dont use any paint thinner at all.
  • You will need:
    • Authentic Reborn #7 Crease & Wrinkle brush
    • Authentic Reborn Crease & Wrinkle paint
    • Cosmetic Foam Wedge
    •  Authentic Reborn  #4 Feathering Mop brush
  • Using the #7 Crease & Wrinkle brush dip a very tiny amount of Crease & Wrinkle paint right from the jar.
  • Next apply paint to each wrinkle, crease, and crevice. 
  • Reload brush only as necessary.  Don't use any thinner at all. 
    • Once you have painted all of the creases & wrinkles go back and lightly blot each one with a Cosmetic Foam Wedge to pick up excess paint. 
    • Do not press too hard or you will lift the paint right out of the wrinkle or crease. 
    • If the paint in the crease is still too dark then lightly blot with a sponge again. 
  • Now go back and feather the creases using your #4 Feathering Mop brush. 
  • Feather in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the crease. 
  • Feather very lightly so that you don't remove all of the paint from the crease.  Your goal is to soften the edges of the paint line in the crease.
  • Now bake at 265° Fahrenheit or 130° Celsius for 8 minutes.    

Bake Between Each Step
Don't forget to bake the paint in between each step above.  If you are not sure if your paint is dark enough bake it first after one layer (though it will not lighten) and then take it outside to look at the doll in natural sunlight.  If you still feel the paint is not dark enough apply another extremely thin coat of paint and bake again.  Remember, you can always add more paint later, you can't remove paint though! 

Dont over-bake the paints - use an over thermometer.  Bake at 265° Fahrenheit (130° Celsius) for eight minutes in an oven. If you are using a heat gun bake for 5 to 10 seconds.

Remove any shine
Sometimes when paint is layered a bit of a shine can arise.  This is easily removed by pouncing on a very, very thin layer of Authentic Reborn Superior Shine Remover.  Only apply shine remover after you have completely finished the painting.  Bake the Superior Shine Remover at 265 degrees Fahrenheit or 130 Celsius for 8 minutes.  See the tutorial on using Superior Shine Remover on page 15 of the 2009 Secrist Tutorial Catalog Guide.   

Don't Under Estimate the Importance of Lighting

Often times the lighting in your work area is not color accurate and causes over-painting which makes the doll too dark and not nearly as lifelike.  We have a Daylight Lamp that is perfect for creating the most lifelike baby colors possible.  The lamp perfectly simulates natural sunlight, when you paint your baby under this natural sunlight-type lamp the colors are far more lifelike.  The lamp also includes a large magnifying lens for painting fine details and revealing small painting flaws.  Painting mistakes can easily be fixed as long as you find them before baking.  This magnifying glass helps you do just that. 

If you plan to sell your baby dolls, the Daylight Lamp is extremely important in helping you achieve the most realistic babies possible.  The 19 Rosie, shown above, was painted using the Daylight Lamp and as you can see she has incredibly accurate coloration.  Learn more about the Daylight Lamp on page 51 of the 2009 Secrist Tutorial Catalog Guide.   
 

Rosie was newborned by Pat Secrist using the Authentic Reborn Strawberry Complexion paint set, following the instructions above. 

Pat also used the Authentic Reborn Premixed Veining paint for the veins on the forehead; the Moist Glaze Medium shown on the eyelids; and Baby Tears on the mouth, nostrils, and eye creases.  Now all Rosie needs is some eyelashes and hair!