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Most beginners put on a little too much paint with their thinner. And when that layer is baked it does look chalky. I know people say they didn't think it was too much but usually this is the case. There are other threads in this topic on what to do for the "dreaded chalkies" so if you are welcome to search the topic for them. They contain lots of information from others on why, how, what to do about them, etc.

The pigment dots are supposed to be there but very minut. Like when you look very close you see them but when you step back they look like skin.

You want to make sure you don't add more than 40% thinner/solvent to how much paint you have. Your paints should be like thin cream. If you are using the internal purple wash on your Secrist kits then that is the only one that should be thin almost like water. It needs to barely be thick enough to lightly coat the inside of the vinyl.

Be sure to stir your paints before you take some out to mix them with the thinner. That way you will actually use less paint and it will mix better with your thinner. Then just add a little thinner at a time and mix, see how that looks for thinness. If it's not thin as cream then add a little more thinner and mix again. It's all an experiment really :)

I can't wait to see this one. I'm sure you will do a good job :)
When you are done please post pictures in the artist showcase

Chalkiness can be caused by a few things. Like mentioned above it could be to much paint. It also could be that you did not bake the baby enough. Are you using an oven theromometer ( i just know I didn't spell that right lol) If not I highly recommend purchasing one. Secrist sells them. My oven which is fairly new is way off in the temperature. I actually have to bake my babies at 305 for the 8 mins to have the right temperature. If you are using a thermometer (think I got it right that time lmbo) then perhaps try baking another min or two. What I also like to do is after the thinner has dried before I bake is to take a large mop brush and do a dusting over the pieces with it. Make sure the brush is dry and clean and then simply brush the pieces off. Hope that this helps. Don't give up we have all been there! There are no fatal mistakes when painting these babies the worse case scenario is you strip the vinyl and start again

my babies looked chalky at first use less paint you can always do another layer if there isnt the right effect do more really light blushing layers again less is more.

I think you can rescue the doll parts even if they appear chalky at first.  You can try applying more thin layers, and don't be afraid to mix your flesh colors.  Or... try 2 different flesh colors on the same sponge by applying a bit of each in separate areas of the sponge.   Rotate the sponge as you pounce to get that sort of uneven appearance.

Be sure to bake after each layer.

Be sure to bake after each layer.  If your doll parts looked chalky the first time, double check the temperature and time.  You may need to bump up the temperature slightly or try baking for 8 1/2 minutes to see if it makes a difference.

Treacle...
Usually the depth of the skintone is achieved with many (or just several) layers of translucent heat-set paint, some use the internal wash (Secrist or AVDW only, or German vinyl). If you have one of Secrist's DVD's you can see how this is done.
Yes, you can do both, mix your own and buy them ready mixed.
Authentic Reborn paints and sets: http://www.secristdolls.com/authentic_reborn_paints?b=1

My best advice is to get a few of the DVd's and watch them. Basic dvd's like newborning 1 & 2 will give you a starting point. Beginner classroom training will take you into more techniques. Special reborn encyclopedia will help you with painting the mini babies and ethnics.

I know you mentioned you are looking for methods of achieving the more mottled skin tones so I think advanced one may be just what you need.

I am not sure either and I don't want to tell you wrong.. and have you mess up your babies. But there are other more experienced ladies on here that could help you I just happened to read you thread.. I am sorry I can't be more of a help..

Welcom Amanda!
If you bought the premixed eyelid paints I beleive what you do is apply a thin layer of teal blue over your eyelid for a base, for lack of a better description, then apply your veining with the purple after. You don't mix then together.The blue is use usually for younger babies as thier skin is thinner and shows more of that bluish hint on them. Hope this helps!

The red is used for the tiny micro veins in the baby's eyelids.

Secrist has a Paint Technique Guidance Chart: Eyebrow Hair and Eyelid Veining It explains it a bit better than I can. Or if you can find some pictures of a newborns eyelids you can see the different colors and veins. Visuals are the only things that really help me. I need to see it to get it.

Amanda, I may have misread your question.  Do you have the Paint Technique Guidance Chart for the eyelids, and do you have a question about the directions on the chart?  Does it specifically mention  "periwinkle"?  If the information on the chart is wrong or misleading, I think it's important to clear up any confusion.

That sounds very confusing considering none of the eyelid paint colors are called periwinkle.  Amanda, thanks so much for clarifying the issue.  I'm going to submit your question / comment, and will let you know the response.  

My guess is if it mentions the perwinkle, it should be put on the inside behind the eye area. Then take the blue you have an apply an extremely thin layer on the lid and the bridge of the nose. Take the other 2 colors (purple and red) and make tiny little capalaries and micro capalaries on the lid. not too many or the baby may look like it's got a problem.

Secrist isn't open on Thurs thru Sun so it might be some time of a wait for the info. I might e-mail the office and see if I can get a response too.

Hang in there hun!

Hi Ladies,
It's me again ,and I have another question. This question is about Secrist's instant super glue. I actually bought mine from Dolls By Sandie ,and when it arrived it had a different tip with it than the tip that Secrist sells with it here on the Secrist website. My question is how in the world do you get any glue to come out of this tip ? I can't get anything to come out of it at all. My tip has this little long metal piece that almost looks like a needle. Do any of you ladies know kind of what I'm talking about ,and has anyone ever used this tip ,with success, because I'm just not having any luck with mine. I can't get any glue to come out of the thing ,and I'm just assuming that I'm using it incorrectly. I found a video demonstration on youtube from MacPherson Crafts ,I think that I spelled that right, using the same tip as what I'm talking about here ,and the glue came out of the tip very easily. However, it sure doesn't come out of my tip that easily ,not even at all. It was an EZ Lasher tutorial video if anyone wants to view it to see the glue tip that I'm talking about. Any help that you ladies could offer me with this would be VERY much appreciated.
Dolly Hugs,
Amanda

Hi,
I'm trying right now to open the tip ,with a needle, but the tip is so tiny that it's giving me a bit of trouble. However, if I do ever get the tip opened up I'll sure let you ladies know.
Hugs,
Amanda

Be VERY careful because all it takes to ruin an eye is one teensy drip of Loctite glue.  And it looks so easy on the video!

Hi Everyone,
I have yet another question. This one is about the superior shine remover. Is it supposed to be completely matte after it's baked or is it supposed to still have kind of a satin finish to it? I'm asking because it seems that every doll that I use it on is still a bit shiny or satiny looking when they come out of the oven. The superior shine remover is matte when I apply it ,but after it's baked it still has a bit of a shine to it. Am I just using it wrong or is it supposed to look that way? Should I be using the AR clear coat matte sealer in stead. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Hugs,
Amanda

Are you applying one coat of the superior shine remover?  Only one coat should be applied.  Subsequent coats seem to bring back some of the shine.  Go figure.