Those are the tools? ...shit, my sculpting kit only has a few of those. Well, I can probably make the others...

Thanks Anon, you're fuckin' win incarnate.

They have kits with even more tools included. The set shown in the pic I posted above is the one specialized for doll making.

Also, I hunted down the original tutorials, and then some:

Overall Tutorial on basic body construction:
http://www2d.biglobe.ne.jp/~dhnoah/make_00.htm

Giant Fucking List of Tutorials:
http://feyrealm.com/index.php?name=Web_Links&l_op=viewlink&cid=40

Dolljoint E-Zine containing tutorials:
http://www.dollicieux.com/

More fucking assloads of Tutorials for beginners than you could shove up Goatse's asshole:
http://www.parabox.jp/eng/what.html

Log of custom doll creation:
http://www.vivcore.com/dolly_daydream.html

BJD Livejournal targeted at custom creators:
http://community.livejournal.com/bjd_artists

Blog containing attempts at building a BJD, with failures included:
http://mira-watanabe.livejournal.com/

THE FUCKING AMAZING RESOURCE FOR CUSTOMIZATION, also contains MANY links to tutorials on all processes of creation from scratch:
http://bjd-wtf.livejournal.com/

Contains an interesting casting tutorial:
http://www.magicminiatures.com/index-5.html

Mold making supplier for Room Temperature Vulcanizing rubber for Resin casting. Also has tutorials on use:
http://www.alumilite.com/

Moar of above type of resource. RTV Rubbers:
http://www.smooth-on.com/

Resin casting tutorial [use for pouring or mold making techniques only]
http://fun.familyeducation.com/crafts/handicrafts/47912.html

Materials supplier. Aimed at industrial level, but check it out anyway:
http://www.freemansupply.com/

Multi-part resin casting tutorials. Aimed at Warhammer 40,000 players, but could be adapted:
http://ultrawerke.blogspot.com/2007/02/resin-castig-tutorial-part-i.html

Another Resin Casting tutorial:
http://www.danperezstudios.com/workshoppages/molding_casting.htm

Pictorial record from concept art to cast:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=85578

Video tutorial on Polyurethane Casting Resin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL33dO8mQuQ

Well, I think that's a good bit for now. If anyone need more, just ask. Anonymous Delivers

Last edited 08/06/25(Wed)05:17.

I've got a few new tutorials I've stumbled across. Some of the best and most comprehensive yet.

Complete step-by-step tutorial [shitty google translation]:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkclub.or.jp%2F%7Eoshizaka%2Fdoll%2Fhowto%2Findex.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

Fairly thorough instructions [shitty google translation]:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftorame.fc2web.com%2Fhome%2Festhe%2Fogre01%2Fogre01-1.htm&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=ja&tl=en

Oddball site that uses a strange sawdust-base clay [shitty google translation]:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww5e.biglobe.ne.jp%2F%7Emoondoll%2Fmake-doll%2Fmakedoll1.html&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=ja&tl=en

Ok-ish step by step site [shitty google translation]:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ne.jp%2Fasahi%2Fharu%2Fdoll%2Fmake%2Fmakeindex.htm&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

As well, it seems like what clay you use makes all the difference. From what I can see, try to stay away from air-dry clays, as they are very prone to cracking. I've heard the Super Sculpy, LaDoll, and such like that are good, but I will put more research into it.

I'll also hunt down some tutorials on sculpting later on, for those who need them.

If you need MOAR, just ask. Anonymous Delivers.

Tutorialfag here again. I've got some tutorials on clay sculpting, and links to information about different kinds of clays.

Info on different kinds of clays:
http://www.fxsupply.com/materials/clay.html

Several links related to clay-making and sculpting with clay:
http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/crafts.htm#clay

Links to Clay sculpting tutorials. Looks like it might be more of an advanced sort of level:
http://www.artshow.com/resources/sculpture.html#clay

Sculpting tutorials specialized for polymer clays. Looks good for beginners:
http://hunnybunsnursery.com/sculpting%20tut%20pg%201%20Michael.htm

Sculpting tutorials aimed at dollmakers:
http://www.patriciarosestudio.com/html/tutorial.html

Tons of clay sculpting information, including tool choices and clay choices:
http://www.figurines-sculpture.com/clay-sculpting.html

Anything you folks want/need? When it comes to digging up tutorials for doll making, I'm willing to find 'em for you folks.

Remember: If you need MOAR, just ask.

Anonymous Delivers.

Thanks for posting all of these Anon. I got a bunch of stuff for working sculpey a while ago for a class but haven't done much with it since...But recently I got a couple more books from Yoshida and Amano Katan which has gotten me thinking about making a doll again. That and the new Rosen Maiden manga series. We'll see if it actually happens or not. I want to try making one with La Doll or something similar.

to contribute, this guy has some nice videos including a long video of him sculpting a head from poly clay:

http://www.youtube.com/user/hanano001

>>57
I'm not confident enough to make an entire doll. Maybe I'll check the link and sculpt a head to put on my DD body.

>>58
Perfectly valid use of these tutorials.

No-one has to make a full doll. If you break a part and don't want to order a new one, or want a custom arm or foot, these tutorials will teach you how to make that, rather than custom-ordering one [which is very expensive]

Oh, one question: Does anybody want tutorials on making their own eyes for dolls?

>>59
Yes please. With the custom heads I'd assume finding the right size would be rather hard.

>>61
Ask and ye shall receive.

Basic Polymer clay tutorial:
http://tutorials.theclaystore.com/dolls/doll-eyes/

Wikihow entry [kinda shitty, but what the hell]:
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Glassy-Eyes-for-Dolls-and-Puppets

Porcelain based tutorials:
http://members.home.nl/m.spijkers/dolls.htm

Resin based tutorial [kinda sparse, but it might help]:
http://chatnoirstudios2.blogspot.com/2007/12/making-resin-eyes-tutorial.html

Has a kit, in case you don't want to do it from absolut scratch:
http://www.whitegothic.com/Cataloguefairydolls.html

Has info on different types of eyes, as well as mounting information:
http://www.parabox.jp/eng/what.html#07

Eye painting diagram:
http://www.littledoll.com/petite_fantasy/gallery/eyelesson/eye_paint_diagram.htm

Tutorial on DeviantART:
http://granet.deviantart.com/art/doll-eye-tutorial-46016885

Method that uses layers of latex. Very interesting, worth a read if only for curiosity:
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ramsdale/construction/eyes.html

Yet Another Polymer Clay tutorial:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/559586050GOHMkQ

Tutorial on making glass eyes:
http://www.nonidolls.com/eye.html

Youtube video with links for kit purchasing and more videos and DVD purchasing. Very in depth stuff available:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thxjv42GZ4U

Well, that should be good. If you need MOAR, just ask.

Anonymous Delivers

STICK THIS SHIT. NAO.

Most epic thread on /do/, hands fucking down.

Moar eyes. This is a pretty good tutorial from the Yoshida Style book. It is in Moon but there are enough pictures that it doesn't really matter. Unfortunately my scanner appears to have died so here are some pictures of the pages. It doesn't look too hard to do.

First get some acrylic (or glass I suppose) half beads and hit them up with some polishing compound.

Then paint the eye on some paper, cut it out and test fit it.

Next he glued the iris to the lens with something...Superglue or that bottle of clear nail polish maybe?

Step 2: Roll some white polyclay to the right size and slice it in half. Press the iris into it so it is recessed a little.

Put it on parchment paper and bake it. Don't burn it. I saw in another tutorial where someone made a foil tent to put over the clay so it doesn't burn and yellow so bad.

Last step. Coat it with polish, acrylic varnish or whatever you want.

Enjoy!

Anything for an anime styled face up to produce similar results as the picture?

Last edited 08/07/06(Sun)08:30.

>>85
Good idea Anon. Ask and ye shall recieve!

Tutorial on face construction. Meh quality from artist, but technique is solid [slow loading]:
http://www.midztoyz.com/2007/05/dasar.html

Another from the same place:
http://www.midztoyz.com/2008/04/making-anime-figurine-female-leprechaun.html

And another, this time a video:
http://www.midztoyz.com/2007/06/pocketable-atelier-face-sculpting-video.html

Links to tutorial resources. Mostly in Moonspeak:
http://www.midztoyz.com/2007/05/figure-making-resourcetutorial.html

Part One of Nine on a series of videos on sculpting anime figures. Goes from concept art to production:
http://enchantmentanime.blogspot.com/2008/03/video-sculpting-and-painting-tutorial.html

Assloads of links. Some of these concern anime-style sculpting:
http://www.hobbyfanatics.com/index.php?showtopic=4867

More links to tutorials. Some concerning Anime, some not:
http://fantasyartdolls.tripod.com/cgi-bin/links.htm

Tutorial on sculpting anime face in Moonspeak:
http://mgfyama.hp.infoseek.co.jp/kaonotukurikata1.htm

Man, Anon. You've set me on a tough mission! These eight links will have to do for now, until I get more time to really get into the deep and dark recesses of the various intarwebz. Keep checking back for more later, m'kay?

If anyone need anything MOAR, just ask.

Anonymous Delivers.

ah christ, i can't believe i'm even considering this, i know fuck all about sculpting...
oh well, i'll be sure to post the inevitable, indistinguishable lump of clay that results, for comic effect if nothing else...

>>91

>80 here.

You won't be alone Anon. This thread was the kick in the pants I needed to try my own hand at failing. Get in there and push around some clay. It is fun.

>>91
>>93

OP here. Don't worry, I'll be in this merry exposition of fail as well. Just as soon as I have spare time again (2 weeks from now)

bump. why isn't this sticky!?

Someone asked me what tools I found useful when I attempted my sculpt so I took some pictures and wrote way too much about it.

Once again, I'm not trained in sculpture or anything so if anyone has something they would add or take away post it!

Here goes...

I have lots of different tool around but these ones were the most useful to me. Especially the 4 on the right. The metal ones are good for scraping off or gouging out clay in carious ways. I used the 'Weber 22' on for scraping larger areas, cutting clay, pushing things around, etc. The far right one is a really good all around too. The ends are curved on one side, flat on the other, and come to a rounded point on the ends. Also, just used my fingers a whole lot. A surprising amount of it can be done with almost no tools.

I also hear that dental tool sets are really nice to have for detail. I may track some down and check them out.

I wouldn't really bother getting the ones that have the wire loops on them like the two on the right in the OP's pic. I have a bunch and never really touched them. On that same note, if you have any art school friends they probably have a bunch of this stuff laying around that they aren't using. Ask if you can borrow some.

If you can, I'd say find an art store or university bookstore to buy the tools from. The ones near my place all have open stock clay tools in various sizes for about $1.50 U.S. That way you can just get a few basic ones or any other shape that seems like it may be useful. It's also nice because if you find yourself wanting another shape or size you can just buy the one instead of a whole pack. Mine are all in the six to eight inch range.

From talking to other people each person has their own preference for tools so it is a little hard to say "Get these ones and that is it." These just happen to be the ones I ended up liking.

Once the clay is dry these are useful for carving and cutting it. I used the gouges on the left quite a bit. When the clay cracked during drying I would basically clean the crack up with a v shaped gouge or a knife then make some watered down clay and fill it up. Worked really well. The gouges and box cutter are also good for cleaning up the hollow areas like arm holes and joint areas.

The pictured gouges kinda sucked. They get dull rather quick and one had a chip in the metal right out of the box...But a whole set was only $10 U.S. I going to replace a couple with Flexcut gouges. I used them in a printmaking class I took a while back and those ones worked like a champ. If you have the money I'd say get the cheap set, see what you use, then replace those ones.

I keep a paint scraper handy for cleaning the work surface periodically.

The saw on the right is a pull saw. It feels flimsy but makes really clean straight cuts. It cuts through paperclay and polystyrene like it isn't even there. I made the arms legs and torso sections as one whole piece then cut them up at the joint area with this. Used the gouges to round out the areas and went from there.

I just started using the sanding pads instead of regular sandpaper and love them. They're pretty cheap and durable. Just rinse them out now and then. Pictured here is the 100 grit and fine grit ones. They have served me well so far.

The other pieces are sanding film from Testors. They're like plastic sand paper and are a bit more durable and re-useable than regular paper. It is good for getting into smaller places because you can fold them into shapes or wrap them around a pencil or something to sand. I just got some new ones from a company called Flex-I-Grit and they are bigger, cheaper, and come in finer grits than the Testors ones.

Next to that is a hobby file and a round file. I use these things all the time. The hobby file is rounded on one side and flat on the other so it is pretty versatile for hollowing things out more or taking off lots of material. The round one is good for getting into the arms or other tight spots. A small half-round would be nice too but these two worked for me.

I've got a whole set of the super-fine files around here somewhere but could only find these two right now. They rock for doing finishing detail sanding. I also used the tips to scrape into the dry clay in a few places.

The wire texture thing is used on the wet clay. Dip it in water and scrape it across the back of the flattened clay before you put it onto the foam core and it helps it stick. Same goes for adding more clay to things. Sometimes I use the hobby file to rough up the dry clay as well to give the new clay something to grad onto. If you don't want to buy the wire thing a toothbrush is just about as good. I also used it to clean out the foam from the inside of the doll.

I also used this circular brush that looks like a pipe cleaner but couldn't find it. You can see it near my finger in >>118

Oh, remember to dry your tools so they don't rust like mine started to.

This is some of the random stuff I had.

Something to hold water and a spray bottle. The clay likes to be kept moist. I use this little one to dip my fingers into or small bits of clay, etc. It's just a cheap ceramic bowl I got at Target. I also have the top to a CD spindle for bigger things. It's also a good idea to soak the wood tools or dip them now and then. Moist tools seem to work with the clay better.

Wirecutters for cutting armature wires and such.

A compass or calipers. I used it to measure out the distance between things to try to maintain some symmetry. I failed at that but these were still really helpful.

Brushes for smoothing out the clay. I used the flat for larger areas of the face and the round for things like the ear and nose.

I used the chopsticks as a thickness guide when rolling out the clay. Put them on wither side of a ball of clay and use a rolling pin to flatten it. I saw Yoshida do it in his book and it is pretty helpful. Just remember they are tapered to have them facing opposite directions. Also useful for skewering the foam so I had something to hold onto that wasn't the clay and to stick into another block of foam when letting the clay dry.

A drafting table brush. Cutting foam and sanding clay gets crap everywhere. This is just something to clean up the work area with. Anything can be used really.

Not pictured: A wood rolling pin for making flat slips of clay. I got one at Goodwill for $2. A mirror which is useful for checking symmetry. It is amazing how holding the piece up to a mirror or taking a picture and looking at that really makes some flaws stand out. highly recommended!

I fucking love this thread.

>>91

>inevitable, indistinguishable lump of clay that results

bring the beast to life!

>>173

>>91 here; I have made some progress, the styrofoam core has been the biggest pain so far - the scuplting itself hasn't been as bad as I had expected, although symmetry's a bitch.

And I gave up on doing anything about the bulkiness, so now healthy doll is healthy...

Currently in the process of heavy procrastination.

Last edited 08/08/07(Thu)07:09.

>>174
Hey, not bad! Looks kind of small, though...unless I'm interpreting the perspective in the picture wrong.

>>174
Looks amazing Anon! Very good work!

>>174

>so now healthy doll is healthy...

Oh, I lol'd hard. :)
Great job, Anon. Keep it up!