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firefall · Member

more questions....matte varnish sealer

firefall · Member

could someone please answer?

Buffington · Guru

RE: more questions....matte varnish sealer

firefall · Member

Maybe I should have taken the ESP class. Are you offering one here? This is my FIRST baby. I looked up what I could but it wasn't specific enough. That is why I came here. I used Genesis paints. I bought Secrist kits. I did not expect such rudeness. Just because someone is unfamiliar with the forum is not a reason to belittle and berate them. I reposted because I saw you had replied to others in the same time frame and I thought my post had gotten overlooked.
There is no reason to be nasty and sarcastic. What I had questions about is the Secrist Matte Varnish Sealer. Since it is sold by them, I thought I would find out about it here.

Buffington · Guru

I'm sorry! Again I'm having problems with my computer. It either cuts me off or won't let me connect. I wasn't trying to be rude or anything. I appologize for the "impatiently waiting" remark but the rest was trying to explain to you why "I" wasn't here to answer your questions. And also asking questions to see if you read the rules, had watched any dvd's, searched the forum for answers, and the like. I'm sorry if you construed this as rude or anything else. It wasn't meant to be. I didn't mean to offend you or anyone.

I don't know what a "ESP" class is so I can't tell you if we have one or not. If you elaborate then I can tell you.

I had this all typed up a while ago and then my computer wen't crazy again so I don't remember what I was writing. But in any event, I always try to ask the newbies if they searched the forum, if they have any DVd's (as we are here to help with some things, not to teach how to reborn) and that is what the dvd's are for. Also what supplies they have, if they are ours or they got them somewhere else (like another company because they are not the same). Do you see where I'm coming from here? That way I know how much they know or have read or seen so it helps me to help them better.

I did ask questions and give advice above. I'm glad you are starting reborning and that you have chosen Secrist to help you start. their vinyl is the best (IMHO) and they stand behind their products.
As I said, I wasn't trying to be anything other than helpful. I wasn't belittling or berating you so I'm sorry if you saw it that way.

In any event I appologize for being cheeky with that one comment and hope that you will come back and ask more questions if the dvd's don't answer them for you or if you want to know anything new that isn't covered or don't understand something. We have several dvd's, books, and articles that are very helpful.
I don't know where everyone else was that usually answers (I saw them lerking) and I'm sorry that no one else answered either. We have a lot of good forumers that have lots of information and help. They usually just pipe in to help. Another reason that I may not have answered right away is if I didn't remember seeing your post. It was not there when I answered that section so I moved on to the next. If someone doesn't answer right away there can be several reasons: the one I just mentioned; no one has an answer and needs to research it; people are gone for some reason; and so on.

So I hope you'll accept my appology and come back. Sorry you took offence, none was intended at all.

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firefall · Member

Thank you for clearing that up.Yes I read previous posts, saw a dvd, and tried to get as much info as possible before I asked. ESP class is that class one takes so they will know everything before it happens. (my attempt at sarcasm as well....sorry) Because I felt already overwhelmed with the prospect of having to do my first baby right, I thought here was the appropriate next stop. After reading your reply I felt totally crushed as "if this is going to be my first experience going into this craft....I'd better rethink some things!") And sometimes I don't remember or assimilate info the way I should. Not intentional....but it happens!
Maybe I was asking the wrong question. I especially like the dewy look some of the babies have...moist but not to the degree the glaze gives. if I look closely and see the tiny dots, do I diffuse them and with what?
BTW,
I also have an old computer, which is temperamental to say the least. it loses pages, goes where it wants to go and often leaves me as the blame. So I can relate to that. biggrin

Tina W. · Guru

Firefall-
Don't give up. We've all been there with our first babies and had lots of questions (still do aww

) All your babies will all be a learning experience and with each baby you will learn something new to incorporate into your next one. That is what's so wonderful about this art, no two babies are the same and each one has a new touch of knowledge added. Your first baby will be far from perfect and thats what will make him/her so special. There are many great treads on here to help you out with your layering it does take a bit of practice to get the hang of searching them out though

sometimes you read one thread and there in lies an even better one idea

.

Buffington · Guru

Thanks Tina!

OK, now I feel really dumb... ESP... I get it now lol.
You know, it took me 5 years of reborning/newborning to get where I am today with my babies. And I went all the way to Michigan to take 2 classes with Mr Secrist and Stephanie Sullivan. My babies still are not the way I want them but I ALWAYS learn more and it's simply amazing the new ideas that others have. Even after I post on something I still will go back to re-read some of the things, especially if I forget (which happens).
I belong to several forums (one is a "pay to be here and get lessons" one! And they don't let you tell anyone what you paid to learn! Part of their forum rules!).

I love our forum and the artists in it! They are all so talented and bring much richness to it and others who come here (IMHO).

As far as the dewey look -vs- the blotchy baby: For me it is a matter of not so much motteling (blotchy). That way you don't get all those tones in a bunch. Some use not the glazing gel (which should only be used on the lips, nails, and eyelids) but the matte sealer but pounce on a light layer all over the baby, except in the creases. Or some also use the thick medium thinned out just slightly to give a texture but not so much it remains rough. I have yet to try that so someone else with experience in this may have to address this for you. I know there are others that have posted about this in forum threads.

Also, with your paints, you DO want the tiny dots. This makes up the "pigment" of the baby's skin. Always leave the dots, tiny, but there none the less. Especially on the base layer. This layer should always be the best as it is your base for the entire baby. It's what the entire painting experience is "based" on. humor hahaha :)

I hope this helps a little more with your question :)

Willa · Member

Hi Firefall-
I totally understand where your at in the reborning process. With my own first kit I didn't know if I put too many paint layers on or what. I thought it looked good and I put the matte sealer on and my poor "baby" felt like sandpaper! I was crushed. I felt like, "Oh I can do this perfect since there are thin layers, how could I go wrong?" I was bummed!

I have purchased completed reborn dolls from others and each and every one was different, the feel of the vinyl was different as well as the "finish" One reborn doll I "adopted" had the smoothest satiny feel to the vinyl and the painting was beautiful so I emailed her and asked her what her secret was. Well, she was pretty vague. She just wrote saying that she didn't do anything different than anyone else does. No extra treatment to the vinyl before or after and that was it.

So I got to thinking... Then I decided to do some research of my own.
My thought was the less layers in paint the more satin feel you'll get. That moist look, eyes, mouth nose, I've done very thin layers till I liked the way it looked in every light I could find.

Another great way to find out different painting techniques is buy parts. There are many places that is just selling the arms and legs or just heads. That may be faulty to begin with. That has saved me so much time, money, and frustration. I hope this help.

I think for a smooth satin effect I wouldn't put a matte finish on. I have the beginner classroom DVD by Secrist and it mentions at the end about putting a sealer on. I did that and was disappointed at how it turned out so I purchased the extra limbs, painted at different layers, baked and found what worked, what didn't and kept a log as well as the limbs as my own tutorial.

I will check back and make an effert to check the other threads to help answers if I can. Again, I hope this help. Hang in there!

Willa

Buffington · Guru

Thanks for sharing Willa. Like you said, everyone has their own way and every baby turns out different.
With the Genesis paints, Genesis says their paints are self-sealing and do not need the matte sealer. But some use it just because it's a safety net, some because they saw it in a dvd, and some like to do different effects with it (like the textured skin).

I think (IMHO) that once you learn the basics and have them down right, you should go off and explore your own style of reborning. It's the fun of the journer I believe!

Willa · Member

I agree.
Everyone has their own technique. aww

Sissy · Newbie

I agree, your response was MORE than rude to her! shame on you, and I am confused about the same thing with the matte varnish etc..

Buffington · Guru

Would you please elaborate as to what you are confused about regarding the matte varnish? Also, have you watched any of Secrist's DVD's on reborning or techniques?

sara zata · Guru

Sissy, this was an old post, Dec 08, Pat is one of the respected and most helpfull people here when it comes to reborning, we all learn by our mistakes, That is the only way we learn. Sometimes it cost money and in this day and age I know we don't all have much of it to waste. All of the ladies on here are very helpfull and will reply when a post comes up, as I am doing now. But I also do look at the time and date of the post. I am on here at this time as I am from Australia. Pat should be sleeping, or maybe she is an early riser, but in fact she has just been in a bad accident and still has time to come answer and LOL at some of our post, cry with us when we are broken, and help if we need help. I for one owe it all to her for helping me learn, that I could go from using a familular Ink Paint to GHSP, with out worrying, also gave me the courage to judge reborning at a doll show. MOst of us don't mean to be rude or unforgiving when we are asked a question, but I believe in honesty when it comes to replying to a post especially if someone has post a photo of their baby and wants an opinion on how to improve their work. If I think the eyebrows for instance are too thick and incorrect, ( if it was my work) i would welcome an honest oppinion from the more experienced. XXXXXX June.

Buffington · Guru

Thank you June, but since it was an old post, I was just going to leave that part alone. It had already been worked out between us but still I thank you hun. :)
I just want to find out what she is confused about regarding the varnish.