An easy lesson! |
Bell-shaped glass lampshades or curvy glass vases can be purchased for pennies at thrift shops. Find them in frosted, clear, marbleized, etched, fluted, or pressed glass. Other choices for "skirts" are transparent glass lamp chimneys or scavenged glass bells. Trap objects underneath the skirt as you would beneath a glass cloche or bell jar.
Cheap lamp chimneys |
My advice is to paint the re-assembled doll with gesso first, but you can try acrylics right away if you like. I use several thin coats of beiges, browns, even black, to create an aged effect.
Sea Wraith. 9" x 5." |
I prefer to remove all or most of the original doll hair—it's usually quite unkempt on the second-hand dolls I use, anyway. Then I paint the hair area, let dry, and construct a headpiece of fabric flowers, faux jewels, butterflies, seashells, or feathers. I adhere those elements securely.
Finally, join the doll to the "skirt" or ballgown with more of the modeling paste or extra heavy gel medium,smoothing it out evenly to unify the piece. When that's dry, paint the joint area.
Homage to the Venus de Milo. 11" x 6." |