Like snowflakes, the human pattern is never cast twice.
We are uncommonly and marvelously intricate in thought and action.."
........Alice Childress
Altered Art Paper Doll Tutorial:
I moved around quite a bit as a child. I was blessed with parents who thoughfully provided me with the perfect portable toy - paperdolls! They went everywhere with me.
I cherished each and every one. I had Lucille Ball, Hayley Mills, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, 5 Ballerinas, 3 Nurses, Little Women, it's a small world..the list goes on and on!
So...you might say I have had a love affair with paperdolls for a very long time. In the past few years I have been very interested in altered paper dolls. By using paper dolls as a vehicle for creative release, you might say I'm STILL playing with my paperdolls!
Sounds good to me!
Getting Started:
You already have! Using all that wonderful found treasure from you backyard, sewing kit, scrapbooking box, game room, etc. you are well on your way.
Decide what you doll will be.
Will it be a self portrait?
Will it be for your eyes only, or will you share it?
What do you want her/him to say?
Does your paperdoll represent a theme?
An emotion?
A certain time in history?
Or is she just to be a fun and quirky piece of creative art?
Now that you have started thinking about your altered paper doll, sort through your "treasures" that you picked out in the last few days. Does anything strike you for a base? This will be a head, a head with a torso, or a complete base with head, arms, legs and torso.
You can find paperdoll bases at many places on the internet for free:
Here's one:
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/paperdolls/ig/Paper-Doll-Accessories/Paper-Doll-Body.htm
and another:
http://www.box.net/shared/n2o0zxx0rf
and another
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/TCR/0615_57-59.pdf
You can also take a paper doll that you already own, and trace around the outside of the doll, to give you a good base.
I have also had success with cutting out full length photos of someone from magazines. I also snag photographs with great body parts in them - a good set of legs, a good arm or two, etc.
You can either choose your head first or your torso first to get started.
Let's look at things that you might want to use for a head:
* doll head
* paper doll head from a tattered set
* matchbox
* copy of a paper doll head, or of a photo of someone in your family
* a sticker
* a copy of a famous painting
* small shrine box
* game piece
TIP: a doll head does not have to have 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 nose or 1 mouth!
Here are a few things that you could use for your torso:
* any of the above items!
* silk flower head
* playing card, or tarot card
* card stock figure
* mentos tin
* small computer component
Getting the idea? :0)
Re-arrange and play with your pieces.
Do you want arms or legs?
Do you want your paperdoll to be moveable, or glued into one position?
Here are some photos of other talented artists' work:
The first is from ArtByDebora, an etsy artist.
This one is made by penniesfromheaven, another etsy artist and shop:
TIP: There are so many options for limbs - thread beds onto wire stiff enough to stay in place. Or use chenille stems! Be sure to loop one end of the wire to the beads don't fall off! Thread the top of the wire through grommets, eyelets or punched holes on the body base. For a foot or a hand, make another loop at the end of the wire/chenille stem.
Get ready for tomorrow:
Look through your stacks of magazines, and catalogs. If you don't have any, go ask a neighbor to donate to your project. It beats asking for a cup of sugar!
Variety will make this next part so much more fun.
You can start clipping and tearing out body parts if you still need them. Cut out fanciful hats, or colored, textured parts to cut your own hat out of. Same goes for interesting necklaces, bracelets, earrings, shoes, skirts, etc.
Let your imagination soar into silliness!
Baking tip:
After unwrapping a stick of butter or margarine, use the wrapper to butter the inside of pans/muffin cups, etc. Anywhere that you have to "grease" the surface.
Here are some photos of kirigami that I have done. It is to whet your appetite for the next few blogs!
"If you don't like where you are,
change it!
You're not a tree."
...Jim Rohn
Have a wonderful, serendipity day!
Share your creations and thoughts with me!
hugs,
inkspired
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