How to Paint a Reborn Doll

Reborn dolls, or living dolls, are noted for their realism. The vinyl dolls are developed by artists who follow standards to keep the dolls realistic, which includes painting it with heat-set paints. The paint is a vital element that must accurately depict the doll's skin, eyes and even veins. Individuals can try their own doll with a "reborn doll kit." Since the entire point of the reborn doll is realism, always use a photo of a real baby as a guide to paint the vinyl doll.

Things You'll Need

• Heat-set paints
• Odorless thinner
• Fine paint brushes
• Cosmetic sponge

Instructions

1. Use odorless thinner and periwinkle blue for the veins. Mix eight to 10 parts thinner to one part paint. Dip a super thin brush in the mix, then draw the veins with one line breaking off into two.

2. Mix together a few drops each of red, blue and brown paint using the same thinner to paint ratio. When you have the appropriate shade of blush, use a cosmetic sponge to lightly dab it on the baby's cheeks, chin, palms, toes and the bottom of the feet. Blend the outside edges of each area with your fingertips so it gradually goes from blush to no blush.

3. Using the same red mixture, add a tiny bit more red to paint her lips with the fine brush.

4. Draw a hint of eyebrow lines with the thinner and paint mixture that match the color hair your doll will have. This needs to be a very fine line, even more fine than the veins. Dab the lines with the cosmetic brush so the eyebrows are "barely" there.

5. Mix the flesh tone paint with the thinner, and dab and blend it on the entire doll. Do a second round of flesh tone after the first round dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Look to YouTube videos to see more techniques

References

• Bountiful Baby

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Front Porch Babies