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gimarcolin · Member

Thinning Medium?

ronelhamaty · Senior Member

Pat B is the moderator of the forum, she will be on soon. She will be able to help you with the correct information.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I am Pat's "junior moderator" and am here to help you.

I'm not certain I understand your question when you mentioned "texture".

What paints are you using? Secrist offers two kinds of paint--Authentic Reborn Gentle Touch paint (already thinned) and Authentic Reborn (or Genesis) High Intensity paint that requires the addition of Thinning Medium or odorless paint thinner.

If you are using Authentic Reborn Gentle Touch paints from Secrist, the paints are already thinned to the perfect transparency and need no further thinning medium or odorless paint thinner.

If you are using the Authentic Reborn High Intensity or Genesis heat set paints, the addition of thinning medium or odorless paint thinner is necessary to achieve transparency. These paints are not transparent out of the jar, but become more transparent as thinner is added. The high intensity paints are ideal for experienced artists who like to mix the standard colors to create custom colors. Some prefer to use odorless paint thinner while others prefer the Authentic Reborn / Genesis Thinning Medium.

The odorless paint thinner comes in a bottle as a liquid and generally makes the paint slightly more runny than the thinning medium. The thinning medium comes in a jar and is initially less runny until stirred and mixed with paint. The more it is stirred, the more liquid it becomes. Both products have advantages.

I'm not certain what you mean when you ask about texture. Heat set paints like Authentic Reborn and Genesis are best applied in thin layers. Once cured (heat set), additional layers of transparent color can be added to achieve the look of texture.

If you want actual texture that you can feel when you touch it with your fingers, there is a product called Thick Texture Medium. This product is used to create three dimensional eyebrows, milk spots, skin and bumpy tongue textures, as well as many other physical characteristics seen on real babies. There is a free mini tutorial at
http://secristdolls.com/eyebrow2

If you have little or no experience with heat set paints, the Authentic Reborn Gentle Touch paints would be ideal because they are already thinned and provide a good base for comparison when you advance to mixing your own paints.

I hope this is the information you were looking for. If not, please let me know and I'll try again.

-- Edited by Play Days Dolls on Thursday 6th of August 2009 06:49:09 PM

gimarcolin · Member

Thank you very much!! You covered all my doubts!!I appreciated very much!.

Buffington · Guru

My junior moderator... hehehe you are so funny Linda. :)
You hit her question right on the mark hun. It was all about the thick medium. I have people use that last over all their painting if they want an over-all skin texture. You've done well lol! Glad to have you on board :)

gimarcolin · Member

I am very confused about the correctly use of the gentle touch, and some products. How do I create the milk bumps?. I also would like to know which paint I should mix to create that smouth skin texture, I would not like to create a rough texture. How could I do it?. I do observe that with the time the baby starts to shinne, should I use the Matte varnish?. I will be veru glad if you can help me

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Phfew... I'm glad I got this one right. hmm

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I'll try to help with your questions. Please let us know if I've missed anything.

Milk Bumps

There was a tutorial on making milk bumps in the 2008 Tutorial and Product Guide, and luckily, it is now online. Go to the following URL to find out how to make milk bumps:

http://secristdolls.com/milk_bumps_tutorial

Smooth Skin Texture:

A smooth skin texture is achieved by thoroughly poucing the foundation skin color layer into the vinyl with the sponge. Do not mix in any thick medium or varnish--Gentle Touch paint is all you need. Pounce it into the vinyl until the skin texture visibly appears to be smooth.

Excessive Shine

Some vinyls seem to get shinier the more they are baked/heated. If this happens and you want the smooth skin texture, I wait until I was done painting the doll and then I would add a very THIN layer of Superior Shine Remover over the shiny area(s). After you apply it, you will need to bake it as you would bake any other layer. Make sure you use the shine remover or matte varnish sparingly and that it is applied smoothly or the vinyl will pick up too much texture. If you bake it and find there is still a shine, you can apply another coat.

If you put the shine remover/matte varnish on the vinyl without smoothing it or if you apply it too thickly, I have actually seen this layer appear to develop fine cracks after the doll is finished. Again... less is more--apply it smoothly and thinly.

Do you have the Secrist 2009 Tutorial and Product Guide Catalog? There is a tutorial on the use of shine remover inside.

I am editing this post to add a link to a tutorial about the application of Authentic Reborn Shine Remover. You can find it in the blog at:

http://secristdolls.com/reborn_blog

I hope this helps!

-- Edited by Play Days Dolls on Sunday 9th of August 2009 08:45:56 AM

gimarcolin · Member

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!

Buffington · Guru

:)

Sugardu · Member

Hello-
My jar (older) of thinning medium by genesis, is in a plastic container with other
genesis paints-
Every time I go through my paints, (I want to make sure I order everything I
need, there is a oily film on that particular jar.
Do you know why?
If I use the AR paints I should only need this for the inside wash, right?
Is it ok to use this jar?
thx

Play Days Dolls · Guru

The oily film on the jar of Genesis Paint Thinner should be okay if it is in its original jar from the factory. It is normal for it to have a more oily appearance than the Genesis colors. Check the label on the jar to make sure the labeling is consistent (same design and color as the label on the paint colors. If so, the thinner should be okay to use.

The reason for telling you about the importance of the jar is that the Genesis products will react with some types of plastic jars. If a genuinie Genesis jar is used to store the paint, you can be confident the contents are perfectly okay.

If you use the AR paints, you will need to thin the interior purple paing with odorless paint thinner. This is not the same as the Genesis thinning product. The purple wash needs to be a very thin consistency like water, and the Genesis thinning medium is not watery enough to work well.

I think Secrist sells odorless paint thinner, but it should be available locally. I also get a little nervous about shipping it because I'm afraid it will leak. I get mine at my local Michael's store. There are a few brand available like Loew-Cornelle. My favorite brand is Mona Lisa.

I found a link to a paper that outlines the steps to creating a newborn baby with AR paints. It includes instructions for mixing the purple wash. Check it out at:

http://www.secristdolls.com/complexion_paints