Berenguer Reborn Tutorial:

Page 3:

 

Painting the interior:

Go back to the previous page if you prefer the dye method.

Materials:
  • Paint brushes
  • cotton balls with long hemostats
  • Acrylic paint(s) in colors of your choice
  • Fingernail polish remover or Acetone
  • Disposable paper plate(s) or other "palette" you prefer for paints
  • Exacto knife

 

 

   
   

There is no right or wrong recipe for the paint combination(s).  I frequently change my recipe(s) and the method that I use.  You will develop your own tastes and preferences.

I prefer very light shades of lavender and mauve.  I will go into detail regarding colors that I use with other skin tones later.

Starting with the head:

Place some paint(s) on a plate and using a paint brush  begin by painting in thin layers on the interior of the head.  Be careful that your paint is not too thick in areas where the vinyl is thin.  Let each layer that you paint have some time to dry before adding more paint layers.  The amount you decide to paint is your personal choice and preference. 

If you don't like the color remove with a cotton ball dipped in the fingernail polish remover or acetone and attach to the hemostats.  Reach inside and swirl this around inside the head, wash clean with another cotton ball soaked with water and a small amount of soap and then dry with cotton ball(s) and begin again.

Using the acrylic paints on the interior iis a little more forgiving over the dye process discussed previously.

 

Lay head on its side and let sit overnight to dry--drying time depends on how much paint you have used.

 

*Note: You just want a slight change to be apparent--look closely at the creases and other details. 

 

Also, keep in mind that the color may darken some as the vinyl sits for a few days and "cures".  It is better to stop and come back to this step later if needed.

 

 

 
   
   

Painting inside the Limbs:

*You have several options for the limbs.  You can paint the interior of the limbs or you may want to just use colored sand.

For the full vinyl limbs you will need to pull the plugs out of the base of the limbs if you haven't done so already

 

 
Option 1:

Using an exacto knife cut out the small interior section where the plug was inserted.. 

Using the paints as before dip your long handled paintbrush into the paint and insert into the limb.  Again, you want a thin layer of paint--not globs of it.

*TIP-If you place the full-vinyl limbs on a clean cookie sheet in the oven at 150 degrees for a few minutes it makes the vinyl easy to straighten and you can reach down into the foot and toes much easier.  (A hairdryer is a great alternative as well)

  

 
Option 2:

To make it even easier to reach a larger brush inside you may want to cut the vinyl hole a little bigger. 

It is not necessary to cut the whole piece away.  I cut the shape into more of an oval (looks more like the shape of an eye when done).  It allows easy entry for the paint brush and easy closure when ready to fill and seal.

 

When completed, take each limb and set on its side and let dry overnight to a couple of days. 

! IMPORTANT: You will not be able to assemble your doll until the interior of the limbs is completely dry. 

 

 
   

 

   
 

Colored sand in the limbs:

Materials:

  • funnel
  • colored sand
  • cotton polyfill
  • hemostats or preferred tool

 

Using the colored sand has been a new thing for me, but I have been very happy with the results. 

I purchased some various colors of sand at Hobby Lobby--but mostly a deep pink color. 

You may use the color as it is packaged or add some other colors together to make your own mixture.  Also, other colors may do better with other skin tones.  It's inexpensive and it's fool proof.  If you don't like the color just pour out.  This is a forgiving way to try and experiment with new colors.

Important: If you use the sand in full-vinyl limbs be aware that they will be much heavier than just using plastic pellets. 

Mixing plastic pellets with the colored sand works great too.  This helped so the limbs still had some color change from the pink sand, but weren't as heavy. 

For the full vinyl limbs you will need to pull the plugs out of the base of the limbs if you haven't done so already and using an exacto knife cut out the small interior section where the plug was inserted (see pics above).

Place funnel into the opening of the limb and pour sand to the top.  Leave some room to add cotton.  I use the cheaper, more dense cotton and stuff a large piece into the top of the limb leaving a section sticking out--this helps to make sure the sand will remain inside. You may also seal with various glues--Liquid nails or E6000 are good examples.

This would need to be altered a little bit if you will be using the teddy bear joints.  I will go in to detail for that one later.

Continue with the rest of the limbs. 

 

 

 

 

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