WITCH CRAFTS

WITCH CRAFTS

Monday, June 2, 2014

DOLL FACE TUTORIAL, part 1

Hi All,
Okay, like I promised, here is a face tutorial on how I made the Evil Queen.

The first step is dividing the head in half from top to bottom. I place a pin on the center seam.
This will become the eye line, and the placement of the bridge of the nose.
 
 
Next, I measure out from that pin about 1/4 inch and put a pin on either side of the center pin. This is the placement of the BRIDGE OF THE NOSE.

 

 Now, I'm ready for my first needle-sculpting stitch. (I remove the center pin now, as it's not needed.)
I start at the back of the head and tie off my thread. I bring the needle out to the front of the head at one of the pins. I bring the thread DOWN about 1/4 inch and take a stitch to the other side of the nose at the exact spot opposite the seam. I take the stitch UP to the other pin and take a stitch, back to the original point.



I continue to stitch back and forth from one side of the nose to the other, pulling the fabric together.  After I stitch back and forth twice, I take the thead to the back of the head and tie off.
This stitching will pull together and form the bride of the nose.

Next, I move on to the NOSE NOSTRILS.
Again, I place pins to mark my stitch points. I place a pin at each nostril hole (1/4" from center seam, under the nose), and a pin at the top of each nostril flair. (While stuffing the head, I've added small craft pom-poms on either side of the nose to help show the nostrils)
Again, I start at the back of the head, and bring my thread out to the front of the head at one of the lower nostril point. I take a small stitch where the nostril will be, and bring my needle DIAGONALLY UP to the point above the other nostril flair.
Next, I take a small stitch at that point and bring my needle straight across, (under the seam) to the other top nostril flair (opposite to where I just stitched).
I take a small stitch at that point, and bring my needle DIAGONALLY DOWN to the opposite nostril hole. I take a stitch at that nostril hole, and bring my needle to the back of the head and tie off.

It sounds confusing, but all I'm doing is stitching an "X" at the nostrils.


Okay, now I'm ready to needle-sculpt the EYES.
First, I cut out my EYE TEMPLATES, and pin them at that same center line where I stitched the bridge of the nose. I move them around until they look right.
 I very lightly trace around the eye template with a gray colored pencil. (Don't use a graphite lead pencil-- the graphite never comes out of fabric. The colored pencil can easily be wiped off.)
 
After the eye shapes are on the face, I start stitching at the corners of the eyes. 
From the back of the head, I bring my thead out to the front, at the OUTSIDE corner of the eye. I take a small stitch at the corner, and bring my thead to the back again. Repeat on the other side of the face to the other OUTSIDE corner of the eye.
 

Next, I bring the needle from the back to the front, and take a small stitch at the INSIDE corners of each eye. This will pull your eyes back into the head.




And, that's all the needle sculpting I do, at this point. I will add the cheek line later on, after I have the mouth drawn in.
 
In my next blog, I'll show you how I color the face! Stayed tuned.
 
 
On another note, I saw "MALEFICENT" today (in 3D), and thought it was MAGNIFICENT!!

 
Angelina Jolie is WONDERFUL! She's good -- she's evil -- she's strong -- she's vulnerable. She does not play a 2-dimensional cartoon villain. Rather, her character is completely believable and extremely complex.
I won't tell you the plot, as that's the best part. It's full of surprises (especially the ending).
 
I read that this is director Robert Stromberg's first time directing. He was an Art Director, so this movie looks beautiful!




9 comments:

Mary Ann Tate said...

Thank you for the tutorial Arley:) I saw the trailer for the movie last week and it looks fabulous. I can't wait to see it.

Jo Ferguson said...

I found your blog, through Mary Ann. Your work is absolutely incredible. I'm brand new to doll making so thank you for the tutorial. It's clear and easy to follow, even for a beginner, like me.

Deb said...

Wonderful tutorial Arley, thanks so much! (and thanks to Mary Ann for directing me to your wonderful blog :O)

Tulsa Dolling Dames said...

Arley, this is so generous of you to post these tutorials. The step by step visual is wonderful. Thanks!
Several of the Tulsa Dolling Dames went to see Maleficent last weekend. It's every thing you said. It was a perfect way to wrap up the first Magical Art Doll Retreat.

Unknown said...

Angelina Jolie is perfect for this part and is definitely the star of the movie...she steals every scene she is in. Evil or kind she is the best!!


Stephanie said...

Loved the movie too! And her costumes. Also really loved the three fairys' dresses. Love what you did here and subsequent posts. I have been trying to picture Her without Disney's involvement.

Richie Benaud said...

Awesome blogging. I enjoyed reading this.

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kathyk said...

Where do you get the material for the head

Anonymous said...

Si pudieras agregar un vídeo sería más fácil de aprender tu técnica. Muchas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos