I'm in the middle of trying to redesign my old site: www.nonidolls.com
Thinking of ways to improve it.
(Please be patient. It is not yet active.)
I think that instead of the Workshop, I'll just blog my articles here.
Maybe I'll link to my pinterest page for photos of my dolls.
You will also be able to see my likes on that page: www.pinterest.com/nonicely
My dollmaking books and videos are for sale on my Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/oddsbodkinsonline
Some of my other items (not for sale) are here: www.oddsbodkins.com
And you can always friend me on facebook, see my videos on YouTube or read about me on IMDB.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Getting Started
Let's start at the very beginning...
Some people like to start with a sketch, so they can see what they are working toward. This is a very good idea, especially if you have trouble visualizing. Then you can see what your doll will need. Do you have to alter the pattern to make the doll strike a pose? Do you need to make a prop, or find a pattern for a certain style of dress?
I have to admit that I generally do not like to draw a sketch first. Why? Because it often feels as though I am finished when I get a good sketch. Then I am no longer motivated to make the doll. I feel like I've already done the character, with all the details, and I can stop now, with this beautiful little drawing.
I need to feel motivated, and I enjoy the challenge of working directly in the cloth. I will make an arm over and over and over again to get it to come off the shoulder at the exact right angle that I want. I had piles of discarded limbs from several different dolls to prove it! I would keep them around for years, hoping to reuse them at some point. But it was rarely the case.
When I did "Decisions, Decisions" I remade her arms several times. It was important that they look graceful and natural. And when your arms are raised, they are supported by muscles that come up from the front and back of the torso. You can simply move the arm pattern (the way a Barbi doll's arm moves in its socket) but it doesn't give you the realistic affect I was looking for.
Compare the photos of an earlier doll (Rita) with my later work, and you'll see the difference I'm talking about. (Oops! My links are broken because I'm moving my website. Please stay tuned. I'll repost the missing photos...)
Some people like to start with a sketch, so they can see what they are working toward. This is a very good idea, especially if you have trouble visualizing. Then you can see what your doll will need. Do you have to alter the pattern to make the doll strike a pose? Do you need to make a prop, or find a pattern for a certain style of dress?
I have to admit that I generally do not like to draw a sketch first. Why? Because it often feels as though I am finished when I get a good sketch. Then I am no longer motivated to make the doll. I feel like I've already done the character, with all the details, and I can stop now, with this beautiful little drawing.
I need to feel motivated, and I enjoy the challenge of working directly in the cloth. I will make an arm over and over and over again to get it to come off the shoulder at the exact right angle that I want. I had piles of discarded limbs from several different dolls to prove it! I would keep them around for years, hoping to reuse them at some point. But it was rarely the case.
When I did "Decisions, Decisions" I remade her arms several times. It was important that they look graceful and natural. And when your arms are raised, they are supported by muscles that come up from the front and back of the torso. You can simply move the arm pattern (the way a Barbi doll's arm moves in its socket) but it doesn't give you the realistic affect I was looking for.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
A New Beginning
Hi Everyone!
After a long hiatus from the dollmaking world, (during which I got a divorce, moved clear across the country, and did a lot of soul searching) I have decided to get back to the world of Art Dolls with renewed energy. And I finally realized that one way I can share some of my dollmaking tips is to create a blog. (Gee, I never understood blogging for the longest time, but just like cell phones, I finally get it!)
So, for awhile, I'm going to try to put up something every day (or as often as I can) and see if we can't make something useful out of this cyberspace. Please feel free to post, as much as you like, and let me know how I can be of help.
Thanks so much for reading!
Noni
After a long hiatus from the dollmaking world, (during which I got a divorce, moved clear across the country, and did a lot of soul searching) I have decided to get back to the world of Art Dolls with renewed energy. And I finally realized that one way I can share some of my dollmaking tips is to create a blog. (Gee, I never understood blogging for the longest time, but just like cell phones, I finally get it!)
So, for awhile, I'm going to try to put up something every day (or as often as I can) and see if we can't make something useful out of this cyberspace. Please feel free to post, as much as you like, and let me know how I can be of help.
Thanks so much for reading!
Noni
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