this site has been SO helpfull but i have some specific questions before i get started that i really need some straight forward answers to from all the lovely experience talented ladies on here.
1: matt varnish, i know its goes last on the doll but what is it for? to soften a shiny baby or smooth out a chalky baby, and how do you like to apply it?
2: glazing gel, i love the effect this gives for sleeping babies etc, but whats the best way to get that suttle oily glowing skin look not a wet look and how do you apply it?
3: thinner, ...the thorn in my side!...im in australia QLD and have read that archival oil thinner is great but iv been everywhere and cant even find normal oderless thinner! i am dreading a chalky baby, what do you recomend in the way of a nice oily glow skin type?
4: linseed oil, now this i can get haha...iv read people talk about it but what do you use it for?
5:3D medium, i know what its for but whats the best way to use it?, do you mix it with the eyebrow colour then paint on or put it on over the top?
6:weight materials, i want to ship a baby to my mother in the USA has anyone ever had their babys ripped open by customs because of the pellets or sand inside?
any help would be sooooo appreciated i have been addicted to this forum for a few months now and these are my only last questions.
good karma for all! ill be checking every 5 mins in bated breath :)
I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I'll give it a shot.
1. I only use matte varnish if my baby is too shiny--and then only on the shiny areas. I first stir it up (it's very thick) and then I either apply it with a paintbrush and then pounce over it with a cosmetic wedge, or I apply it directly to the wedge and then pounce it on. Use it sparingly or your baby will end up with a rough texture.
2. I only use the the glazing gel on lips, nails, and sometimes eyelids. I have found that it is not very shiny and doesn't give a wet look. For a wet look I use an acrylic varnish/glaze.
3. I have never used the archival thinner, but you should be able to get odorless thinner at any art supply store that sells oil paints. I get mine at Hobby Lobby, but I don't know if they have that in Au. As a last resort, you can always order online.
4. I have never heard of using linseed oil on reborns. I do use it with oil paints (when painting on canvas), but I can't imagine using it with Genesis.
5. I don't use 3D medium, but I have heard of people using both methods you describe. THe second Secrist DVD shows how to use it.
6. I have never had a baby ripped open by customs, but I do not use sand. Customs will not rip open babies filled with poly pellets, but sand and glass beads are not ideal for overseas shipment.
That's about all I know. I bet other people can give you more information. Naomi and Leah can probably give you more information about where to find supplies in Au.
Hello Rach,Linseed oil is used with AS oil paint to thin it, You can get AS odorless solvent, if you can't get the Archival one that Naomi uses. June M from Oz.
this site has been SO helpfull but i have some specific questions before i get started that i really need some straight forward answers to from all the lovely experience talented ladies on here.
1: matt varnish, i know its goes last on the doll but what is it for? to soften a shiny baby or smooth out a chalky baby, and how do you like to apply it?
***Apply it directly from the container. Pounce on a very thin layer. Do not thin it. I use to de-shine my doll and to prevent shine. It does add some texture so be sure to use a little. It does not help with chalkiness!
3: thinner, ...the thorn in my side!...im in australia QLD and have read that archival oil thinner is great but iv been everywhere and cant even find normal oderless thinner! i am dreading a chalky baby, what do you recomend in the way of a nice oily glow skin type?
****If you can't find odorless thinner (you will probably have to order it online) then use the Genesis thinner with the heatset paints.
4: linseed oil, now this i can get haha...iv read people talk about it but what do you use it for?
****I think it was used with different paints. I recently read you should not us it at all as there is an issue with the vinyl. I've never used it so I feel comfortable saying you don't need it.
5:3D medium, i know what its for but whats the best way to use it?, do you mix it with the eyebrow colour then paint on or put it on over the top?
I've not used it but from what I've read of people using it they mix it with the paint.
6:weight materials, i want to ship a baby to my mother in the USA has anyone ever had their babys ripped open by customs because of the pellets or sand inside?
****I would actually ship her the parts and the body and let her buy stuffing and poly pellets here. It will save you a ton of money on shipping and you won't have to worry about customs!
Rachael from QLD
-- Edited by wildauangel at 11:10, 2008-09-26
I haven't read anyone elses answers, I wanted to just give you mine so you can have as much info as possible to make decisions!
Rach, I was talking to the Supplier and if you use Genesis paints you don't need linseed oil at all. I said I had been told to use heated sieved sand in the limbs, so wouldn't be able to ship them out of Australia, but she said you can ship them out but not bring them in as their quarantine laws are different to ours. But I wouldn't use it anymore. Use pollypellets and the larger glass beads mixed to give some weight, or just polly pellets and put them in a loose pouch inside the tummy and lightly stuff. If you are worried about sending overseas, Attach a sample of what you have used in a plastic bag and explain what it is. Hope that is helpfull. June M from Oz.
THATS OK RACH. THATS WHAT WE CALL OUR MIDDLE DAUGHTER TOO. AUNTY RACH TO THE NEICES AND NEPHEWS SHE HELPED TO CREATE. JUNE M FROM OZ. LEFT CAPS LOOK ON, SORRY.