How to Create an Art Doll in a Frame

Hello everyone! My name is Cinnamon Willis and I am going to show you all how to create an art doll in a frame using Creative Paperclay®.

Supplies

• Wooden Skewer
• Pliers
• Scissors
• Thin wire
• Frame
• Creative Paperclay®
• Newspaper
• Masking tape
• Sand paper
• Wool
• Acrylic paint
• Sealer, Varnish
• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• E600 Craft Glue

Cut your skewer down to the size that you would like for the doll to be for it to fit nicely in the frame. Keep in mind that once you add the head onto it, the doll may end up being about a half inch taller.

Create the head by rolling a ball of paper and securing it to the top of skewer with masking tape. Wrap wire around the skewer and leave it sticking out on both sides, these will be the arms.

Bulk up the arms and torso with the paper and masking tape, leave the elbows and the edge of the shoulders free so that the arms can be repositioned later after the piece is done.

Cover the paper and taped areas with clay, and allow it to dry. Steer clear of covering the elbows and shoulders with clay at this stage as well.

Once the piece is dry, you could begin working on the details such as the face shape and features. This can be done by adding a drop of water onto the places that you would like to add clay to and blending the new clay into it. Don’t worry about getting things perfect when working with moist paper clay, most of the sculpting is done when it is dry.

I use an exacto knife to carve out features and I sand my details until I become satisfied with them. This takes a few attempts of building up with the clay and taking it away.

The drying process could be sped up with a toaster oven if you are in a rush. I usually put a piece in at 200-220 degrees and check on it every 20 minutes to make sure it doesn't burn.

When the piece is sanded and smoothed out to where you want it to be, it can be painted. I use acrylic paint, soft pastels and sometimes colored pencils for the details.

When I am done with this process I use a sealant to protect the paint job. I prefer to use the Winsor and Newton Matt varnish, it gives the doll a nice satiny looking finish.

At this stage I add the hair. I like to use wool since the strands are thin and don't look like spaghetti in proportion to the size of my dolls. You can use hair from the hair shop as well, but keep the thickness of the strands in mind, and figure out what is right for you.

Make an outfit out of fabric, feel free to glue the clothes on the back of the piece if you need to since it will be hidden when its secured to the frame.

After you are done with the clothing and you are happy with the way the doll looks, use the E600 glue to attach the doll to the frame. I make sure to tuck the shirt into the bottom of the frame opening and glue the back of the doll's head to the top of the frame, or wherever the head meets the frame best.

Thank you for tuning in, and I hope that you enjoyed today's tutorial! You can find Creative Paperclay® at the below listed retailers.

Creative Paperclay® Online Store

Michael's

Amazon

Joann's

Please stop by my Instagram account to see some of my other works, and feel free to stop by my site Melandolly!