Emilia before:
I've always liked Gotz dolls as their quality is very good and they're great as play dolls, being made with very safe and well tested materials, and for adult doll collectors too.
Firstly I removed the factory makeup and the acrylic eyes. The eyes were not bad quality but I prefer them to be more realistic so they had to go, along with the eyelashes. Here she is with her cleaned face, but eyes and lashes still attached. I felt these eyes were also a tad too large for her eye sockets too.
The hair on these dolls is rooted so I covered her head with an old shower cap to protect it from the chalk and the sealant.
The hardest part was getting her head off. I had to soak it in boiled water until the vinyl was soft and then pull it off. The eyes are seated in little 'pockets' inside her head but the back of these are open so you can easily remove the eyes through the neck hole. Here she is will her default eyes and lashes now removed.
I then gave her a new faceup using watercolour pencils and artist grade chalk pastels. I wanted her to have glass eyes but I found that the ones I have here (and I have quite a few pairs!!) did not suit her or were the wrong size. In the end I decided that I would stick with acrylic, so these eyes are by Glastic Realistic, unfortunately I have no idea what the colour is called. As acrylic eyes go, I think these are a great alternative to glass or resin eyes as they are very detailed and natural looking.
Between layers of chalk pastels, Emilia is sealed with several coats of Mr Super Clear Flat sealant.
I hope that I've bought her more 'to life' and less dolly looking. I enjoyed working on her, customising really is one of my favourite parts of the doll hobby to be honest!
She's wearing an outfit that I made for my Zwergnase dolls, I thought the grey of the outfit went well with the grey of her eyes.
Thank you for stopping by, I hope you're all having a very nice weekend.
Big hugs and stay safe!
Sharon xxxx
I love how you have softened her look! She looks much more natural now, it's so surprising how removing her factory 'face' and using just pencils and chalks, you can change the whole look of a doll.
ReplyDeleteYou are definiately a master of the craft Sharon.
She looks like a totally different doll ! xxx
Thanks so much Dee, I'm glad you think she looks more natural as that is what I was hoping for. I wanted her to look more like a child than a doll.
DeleteYou are very kind, thank you!!
xxx
Oh my goodness, she is beautiful. She is so lifelike. I like what you have done with her eyes. The outfit looks so sweet on her.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Dorothy, I'm glad you think so. I always enjoy customising dolls, then I'm like "ok she's done, what shall I do now!" Hopefully I'll enjoy taking more photos of her soon.
Deletexxx
Wow! She looks incredible! I already thought she looked quite realistic before, but in some of the "after"photos she looks like a real human. The doll does look indeed very good quality, specially the hair. I wish I had what it takes to try to do a repaint or some type of customization project. Hopefully one day I'll find the patience and the courage to grab a clearance doll and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWish you have a great week too. We just moved to phase 2 this week and today I've taken my first walk outside without having to wake up at 7 a.m. on a Saturday. I believe Andalucia has also moved to phase 2, but I'm not sure if there have been exceptions.
Hi MC, thanks so much for your kind words, I'm glad you like what I've done with her. I really enjoy customising dolls and yes, it's definitely a good idea to have a go at it, it's a lot of fun.
DeleteWe too have moved into Phase 2 from today, Malaga wasn't held back this time. I'm actually thinking of putting my alarm on in the morning and actually going out at 7.30am with Lucy my Miniature Pinscher. I've been getting up after 9am in the mornings because I've not been sleeping well at night, but I want to get back into walking again as I've put on weight during the lockdown. Wish me luck with that!!!
Big hugs xxx
oh wow Sharon, what a great face-up! I've looked at Emilia before, as her face sculpt seems to be the most interesting of those Götz dolls (less doll-like) but you've made her look incredible!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Claire, and thank you for visiting my blog :)
DeleteI agree, she has a very interesting face and yes, less doll like, although I must admit I did used to really like the Emily sculpt because she had such a big eyed innocence about her.
Hugs xxx
Oh I love her Sharon, now she looks just like a real little girl! The face up is so soft and natural, her lighter eyes are lovely too, they are perfect. I've never been fond of dark eyes as they often look lifeless in photos. So this one definitely has a big thumbs up from me.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
X
Thanks so much Sandi, I'm really glad that what I aimed for has been achieved. I like that people think she looks like a real girl!
DeleteBig hugs xx
Hi Sharon!
ReplyDeleteThis doll has a cute and interesting face and though she looked beautiful with her default face-up, you have done an amazing work with her. She looks more realistic and natural now.
Greetings ^^
Thank you very much Lily, I'm glad that you like her!
DeleteBig hugs xx
She looks amazing. I love your face up work on her and I have to say, the sculpting on her face is very very good. I love those acrylic eyes, I think I may even have some. I love how realistic they appear in photos too as well as in person. I actually am a fan of acrylic eyes myself. I find they have such lovely details. You did a really great job on her makeover!
ReplyDeleteHi Alasse, thank you so much, I'm glad that you like her.
DeleteShe does have a nice sculpt, she's not a classic beauty but there is something about her.
I must say that when I see these eyes I really do like the acrylic ones again, especially when they look so realistic.
Big hugs xx
I was about to say, that she looked really realistic with her company face-up, but after your customization she looks... simply incredible! If I wouldn't know, I would be sure that this is a real child. Her eyes look so alive! I'm full of awe.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Chiriann, I'm glad you think so.
DeleteBig hugs xx
Beautiful, looks very real. I wish you health. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Zacisze, I wish you good health too.
DeleteBig hugs xx
Really well done, you have a great talent! Viv
ReplyDeleteAww thanks so much Viv, I'm glad you think so.
DeleteBig hugs xx
Thank you so much Linda, I'm glad you like her. I agree she does look a bit older, doesn't she!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you too xx
Ooh, it's dangerous... (c)
ReplyDeleteIt's really dangerous to visit your blog, Sharon!
I didn't buy dolls for a long time now, and was sure - I have all dolls that I like at home.
But your Emilia... She is so alive! I want her so bad!
LOL Ariadne you are funny! I hope you're not too tempted then. I am glad that you think she's 'alive', it was my intention to make her as realistic as possible.
DeleteStay safe and well
xx
What a difference! On several photos, she looks like a real child.
ReplyDeleteNo - no - no - I don't start another collection - no!!!
Ursula thank you for your comment, I'm glad that you think she looks realistic like a real child, it was my plan so that's good!
DeleteMaybe someone like this would make a nice big sister for your lovely girls and boys!!! ;)
xx
She's stunning. I've always found the Gotz dolls beautiful, but your custom work takes her to the next level.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Amanda, I'm happy with how she turned out. I don't know if she'll stay but she's here for now!
Deletexxx
Hi Sharon long time no speak, she is amazing so natural xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, I'm glad you like her.
Deletex
She looks amazing after repaint - like a real girl. I love her delicate face. She's amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Kamelia, I'm glad you like her.
Deletexxx
She is looking very pretty after your customizing! The eyes are perfect for her! Love the outfit too!
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the summer time.
Hugs!
Thanks so much Niina, glad you think so. I wasn't sure about the eyes at first because I always prefer using glass eyes but couldn't find glass eyes to fit properly, so went with these. But once in place I really liked them and so they'll stay!
DeleteHugs to you too xxx
She turned out beautiful! Such an amazing transformation.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda
Thank you so much Brenda, I'm glad that you like her!
Deletexxx
She does look like a whole new doll; you did a great job bringing life to her. Gotz is a good doll manufacturer; American Girl used Gotz dolls at the very beginning. Emilia has gone from a play doll to a collectible one now.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Barb, I'm glad you like her new look.
DeleteI remember that Gotz made the AG dolls at the beginning but have never seen one made by them as far as I know.
xxx
That is amazing! I had no idea you could make face ups!, she turned amazingly real and beautiful! I am impressed <3<3<3. Thanks for sharing this! *3* <3
ReplyDeleteThanks ever so much my dear, I'm glad you like her. I am no expert on faceups and I'm rarely happy with those I do on BJDs for example, but I enjoy working on vinyl for some reason, maybe it is more forgiving of my mistakes!! :)
Deletexxx
Amazing change in her look, and better for sure. I love how she looks indeed more living after your custom work with her. Lovely girl. :) Hugs <3
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Xaya, I appreciate your kind comments and glad that you like this Gotz girlie!
Deletexxx
You did bring her to life. She looks very real. Her sculpt may not be the prettiest but she sure has a lot of character! Thank you for all your comments on my new blog, I am happy to see the redirection of my old blog works so well :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! I'm glad that you like her new look. I'm glad you see what I see because I do prefer dolls to have character than just be really pretty.
Deletexxx
How did you attach her new eyes?
ReplyDeleteHello! Once you get her head off, you can warm the vinyl inside using a hairdryer (be careful not to blast the eyelashes unless you plan to replace them, as the hairdryer will make the glue soften on the lashes if you're not careful) and then you can pop the eyes out of the backs of the 'sockets' as they're kept in place inside in a sort of 'pocket' of vinyl behind the eye holes. I hope that makes sense.
DeleteHi what size eyes did you use pls?
ReplyDelete