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celizd · Member

Paint type??

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Welcome, Christina! I'm glad you found us.

What paint to use is always the big question. Secrist only promotes the type of paints that must be heated to cure. the following excerpt is from the rules of the current cover baby contest:

"Using paints that are not heat-set will cause the vinyl to change color over the course of 2 to 4 years and Secrist will not promote the use of paints that cause serious damage to reborn dolls."

Any company who sells paint is naturally going to promote it. However... the heat set paints are easier to work with primarily because they are not set until heated. The air dry paints are also nice if you know how to work with them. You will most likely need to work faster.

As for the question of whether to bake your kitchen oven... there are many opinions. I personally bake them in my kitchen oven if they are safe and non toxic vinyl like the Seccrist dolls. However... I'm not qualified to advise you one way or the other. You will have to decide for yourself.

To get more opinions, try searching this forum ("baking dolls in oven") for more information. There has been much discussion on this very topic.

I hope this helps you to decide.

And again... Welcome!

Miss Reborner · Senior Member

Heat set paints are absolutely the best, especially for a beginner, because until you heat set them, you can redo them as many times as needed. I would never trust anything else to be quite as permanent, either. I also bake my dolls in the oven, too, and haven't found it to be a problem.

Buffington · Guru

I only bake the Secrist and DD German kits in my home oven. The rest of them I bake in a countertop oven that I can move outside.

As far as the paints... Genesis heat set paints (according to Genesis) are non-toxic so also safe to bake in home oven along with Secrist made in USA vinyl kits (and DD's German vinyl kits IMHO). Some people take a risk by baking other kits in their home ovens. They may not have any health issues now but...

celizd · Member

Thank you so much ladies......Im still doing my research, but I know for sure I will stick with the heat paint. now if a company sells genesis, its all still the same paint right? because I noticed on the bountiful baby website they have their kits labeled to do a piant by number thing. this is alot of info to take in :)

Miss Reborner · Senior Member

Yes, it's all the same thing. Except that the Secrist's "Authentic Reborn" paints are thinned-out Genesis paints. All other paints that say heat-set or Genesis are basically the same. From Secrist regular Genesis paints are called "High-Intensity".

Buffington · Guru

Thanks for giving that information Andrea. So far as I know, all heat set paint is made by Genesis. Each company (ie: Secrist, BB, etc) has had Genesis custom make their own colors and their own basic formula but it's still basically all the same paint, just used differently and different intensities (ie: authentic reborn, paint by number, high intensity, etc).
So from Secrist you need to watch to see exactly which "type" of heat set paint you get. As Andrea pointed out, some are thinned more than others and some are full strength. They can be inter-used but each type has their own conditions.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I have experiemented with mixing the Genesis type paints to achieve a specific color or consistency. Paints when thinned with odorless paint thinner generally end up with a more watery consistency than paints mixed with the Genesis paint thinner or the Authentic Reborn Gentle Touch (pre-thinned) paints. There are times when I prefer one or the other, and each artist develops preferences and techniques through experience. For instance... I prefer using odorless paint thinner with the high intensity or Genesis paints if I know I will put on many layers of "skin". For lips and sometimes for shading, I prefer the paints thinned with the Genesis thinner or the Authentic Reborn Gentle Touch.

As you do more dolls, expand your paint types so you can have the freedom and fun to experiment. Remember, unless it's a dark color like those used for veining or purple wash, you can always remove most paints before they are baked.

Achtlandd · Member

Thanks for answering that question so perfectly! PWD< I have been debating using Genisis or the new Secrist authentic paints and had no clue where to start! I didn't want to spen a few hundred $$$ on all the colors and find out I wasn't using the right paint.

The explaination on layering Genisis (due to it being thinner) and the authentic reborn for lips etc... where you would want more color just makes sense! DUH!! confuse

I didn't think about mixing mediums, and why not. My brain just froze is all I can claim! evileye

Too many options with not enough experience in this field> LOL !!! Linda your my hero!!! You give such good advice, And expain it so the laymen like myself can understand! Thanks again!

-- Edited by Achtlandd on Monday 21st of December 2009 04:41:39 PM

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Now I am blushing. LOL. I hate to admit how much $$$ I spent when I first started. I had no idea what I was doing so made a lot of mistakes. Also, all the available paint choices can overwhelm anyone at first. I'm just glad I am able to explain things in a way that is understandable.

celizd · Member

I think I get it!!!! I had to read it twice, break it down and now it makes sense....maybe since I have yet to actually start my light bulb is dim, but hopefully it will turn on once I start! Thank you sooooo much all of you! Im sure to have many more questions as I go. :)

Buffington · Guru

No matter which paints you choose to get from Secrist, they are all the same basic paint, just different ways to use them. You still have to bake them all but I prefer the pre-mixed petites personally. You get a lot of the right colors and either have to add thinner or not depending on which set you get.
Just be sure, no matter which ones that you mix the paints up in the pots first before you use them as they become creamier and more usable with mixing! :)

Liselle · Guru

*Sigh* I even read the rules and didn't even think to look before I posted something very similar to this. It pays to read!! LOL

This was my original question:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350250896607&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350192422163&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Keep in mind, money is an issue at the moment. I am looking for the best value. Which one gives me the most products that I will actually use for the best price? And why is which one better than the other?

I'm leaning towards the Colors of Life set, seeing as how it's got the washes and stuff, and it's cheaper.

-- Edited by Liselle on Sunday 21st of March 2010 09:36:11 PM

sage brush nursery · Guru

i have the regular ghsp but i buy the premixed lips,creases,blush it's just saves alot of hassle. sage aww

Liselle · Guru

I went ahead and got some air dry paints from B&B, we'll see how they work out. I'll end up getting some GHSPs as well eventually, I'm sure. This way I can try them both and see which I like better.

sage brush nursery · Guru

let me know how the air dry works out,i almost got those but was worried it might come off. if it works well i might get some. i like trying differant stuff. good luck sage aww

Liselle · Guru

Will do, Sage.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Before I used the heat set paints, I thought they were expensive also. After I bought them and learned how to use them, I changed my mind. I actually think the heat set paints may be less expensive in the long run, and they are permanent.

Some reasons why I use the heat set paints:

1. Heat set paints are highly pigmented so a little goes a long way, This factor makes them very economical to use.

2. I believe this is the ideal type of paint for achieving complex layers of skin.

3. They are as permanent as factor paint.

4. There is no need to use a sealer like most people do with the acrylic type paints.

5. Acrylics normally dry before I am ready, and that is probably due in large part to living in a very dry climate.

Hope this helps. Please let us know what you think of whatever paints you end up purchasing. We all learn from each other's experiences.

Linda

Liselle · Guru

Definitely will do guys. I play to get both the air dry and GHSPs, but the heat paints aren't in my budget at the moment. Unemployment sucks in that regard, but it's nice to be able to stay at home!!

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Amen to that, Liselle. A friend of mine was unemployed until a few weeks ago. She had all kinds of time to make dolls, but she was struggling to come up with the money to buy the supplies she needed. Now she's employed again and able to spend some money, but has no time to make dolls. Maybe part-time work is the best of both worlds?

Liselle · Guru

It could be!! I'm getting ready to go back to school for the first time in 20 years, so we'll see how that goes!

Buffington · Guru

I was out of school for 12 years the first time I decided to go to college. Graduated 2 1/2 yrs later. Then was out another 17 to go back again and have been in for 7 (yes I said 7 lol) years now and will graduate again this May 2010.

I was hard at first going back but It has been lots of fun (baring the high school type drama politics on campus) since Jan 07! So I wish you fun in going back to college, take it slow with your first semester till you get the hang of it, then... go for it!! :)
Remember to take a fun class here and there just for you (and get credit for it if you can )

Tina W. · Guru

I think going back to school is wonderful no matter what the age is. I went back after 10 years of being out of school, yes it's an adjustment especially after you start a family and are working but very rewarding! Best of luck

Liselle · Guru

There's not much to this program, it's just a phlebotomy certificate, but I have to take Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology. Then when that's done, I have to take the actual phlebotomy training. I'm excited!

Buffington · Guru

We have that at my college too. I already took med term I & II. It wasn't so bad. I didn't have to take anat and phys because I was going for coding and billing. My daughter is going into nursing so she has to take anat and phys too. Phlebotomy is an up and coming field. You'll have some great employment options there hun! BOL!

Liselle · Guru

Thanks!!

I figured that would be a good field to go into.

-- Edited by Liselle on Monday 29th of March 2010 03:31:52 AM