I thought I would try something a little new… I hope you guys don’t mind!! I’d like to do this a little more in the future so please let me know what you think! I thought it would be nice to feature pictures now and then that are really nice and/or interesting, especially people who are not necessarily well-known and get lost in the crowd a bit!

To go along with our other “spotlights”, I’ve thrown in a mini interview. I hope you guys enjoy!

source: “angel” by Emma ma (Emmaboo on DoA)

What was your inspiration for this picture and/or photoshoot, or what were you hoping to accomplish?
I saw a photo Mystical Maz had taken of her sleeping girl in her hand here, which reminded me of an Anne Geddes image I’ve seen of a baby with wings asleep in someoenes hand, but I can’t find that image… something like this. Once I had that image in my head I *had* to take the picture there and then

Can you briefly describe the set-up you used for this picture? (any lighting, props, standing on your head,
photoshopping, etc.)
Oh dear… well I used my awesome camera Nikon D90 and my huge flash who’s batteries are running out. I didn’t really spend long setting it up. My husband wasn’t that keen so he didn’t even move, I just got him to hold his hand out and placed her in it! (I spent a long time getting her posing as realistically as possible first ). The background is our sofa. We had the overhead light on as it was nighttime and that and the flash was all that lit it – that and photoshop.

With the photoshop I changed the hue, and did lots of messing to get it to look moody. I’m not v.good at photoshop though so it was all filters and things.

Did you have any “happy accidents”? (things you didn’t intend while shooting, but worked out for the best!)
Yep, the whole thing! It was a mega quick photo, I only took three or four shots as the flash died on me.

If you could change something about this picture, what would it be?
I’d probably change her hand to be one of the more relaxed ones, and I’d have more of her toes showing. Other than that I’m pretty happy.

What did you learn while shooting this that you hope to improve on or implement more next time?
I learnt that you can take nice pics when it’s nighttime so maybe I should give it a go more

Thank you so much for letting me feature you, Emma!!

If you (yes, you!) know a picture you’d like to see featured, please PM me on DoA (mendokusai)!

Ahh, I’ve been slacking hardcore, sorry!

Iplehouse has announced their latest EID addition to their Noctarina Circus line, Tedros (circus master). One of the teasers included a glimpse at an animal form, but right now the only pictures up are of his human form. He’ll be going up for sale tomorrow, February 9th, and will be available until March 7th.

Continuation from part 1.

Eyeliner:

Use the same color for the eyeliner. Use the same angle for both eyes. Start at the center of the eye and turn the head to get outside to inside of the same eye. You should use the middle of the brush portion of the brush for the eyeliner.

Eyelashes:

Draw a thin line and it requires practice. You should start with the center of the lower eyelid and go to the outside. Add more lashes toward the center. Then add lashes from the center to the rest of the lower lid. The older dolls will have crossed eyelashes.

Spraying:

If you are finished with the eyebrows, you should spray them before adding the eye shadow. The spray has UV protection and it will keep the resin fresh. It also helps prevent blotching.

Eye shadow:

When doing the eye shadow think of the light and dark portions. If it is a lighter part then don’t use color or use lighter color. Cut a small piece of the extra fine sandpaper to put the pastel on. Rub the pastel that you want to use on the sandpaper. She picked a light orange color. You use a q-tip and a small piece of the sponge. Use the cotton square for the cheeks. Put the color on the q-tip and use in the inside corner of the eye and the outside corner of the eye. Use the sponge to soften the color. Stroke the sponge from inside to out. Then put the eye shadow color on. She used purple. Put it on the top of the lid up to the under portion of the eyebrow. Blend it in.

Blush:

You can use shine powder to help get a smooth surface and help blend in the color. She used pink for the cheeks. Put the pink on the sand paper. Use cotton square to apply the blush. Use a circular motion to put on the cheek color. Use a sponge to blend it in. Put on finishing spray and add more color. The spray dries quickly. Be sure to rotate the piece and use spray in well ventilated place. Also be sure to rotate the head.

Thank you Barbara Steiffert for doing this write up for us!

Garden of Dolls has announced a pre-order for an elf version of their 42cm Nabiya. She has the same double-jointed body as the human Nabiya, and is available in several colors including colors like light tan, lilac, and blue!

She’ll be available from January 30th to February 8th, and is scheduled to ship around March.

Back in November, Mikey, a very talented face up artist and one of the main creative forces at Volks, came to Los Angeles and did one of her face-up tutorials.  Barbara Steiffert took copious notes of what she said and here they are of the process.

Cleaning the head:

Use Mr. Color Thinner to clean the head. It takes off the oils from the person’s skin. You should do the cleaning outside on in a well-ventilated place because of the smell. Then take Mr. Super Clear and spray the head. Use short bursts and rotate the head. After spraying wipe off with a tissue.

A small piece of the sponge will take off any remaining pastel. To get the inside of the lip use a very small piece of the sponge that is thin. Hold it with the bent nose tweezers and move back and forth in the lip crease.

Take a small piece of the 3M ultra fine sand paper and go along the eyes and check to get a texture to have the pastel hold better. Blow away the dust. You should also use a soft brush to get rid of additional specs.

If you are painting the face and it is not dry you can just wipe off. If it is dry then you will need to use the sand paper, the sponge or the thinner. If you are removing a full faceup, then use the thinner.

Eyebrows:

Use the water soluble pin – it can be wiped away after the eyebrows are painted. Eyebrows are one of the most important aspects to express a dolls face. Eyebrows of younger people are thicker and higher. The shape of the eyebrow shows age and expression. Boys are thicker. Sleeping head eyebrows are straighter. You need to know where to start and get the arch. It is best to pick two points – beginning and arch. You must do it on both sides and look at the balance. Then connect the line. You can erase with a tissue and water. If you erase, try to leave the original two points. The eyebrow doesn’t have to be perfect. It is just a guide line. Try to follow the natural brow line and the natural curve.

For the next step get water, paper palate and acrylic paint. Put the water in a small dish and put the paint thinner in another dish. Using the lightest brown will be best at this point. You can go over it with darker color later. Be sure to wash a new bush as well as an older one. The water is for washing the brush; the paint thinner is for thinning the paint. If you use water to thin the paint, it may be too runny. You can test the amount of paint in the paint brush by using the back of the head. You can add pink to make the brown lighter. Hold the paint brush like a pencil. You must keep a constant distance between the head and the brush for a constant line. Move your hand vertically and move the head not the position of your hand or body. Follow the guide line.

Part II is Eyeliner , Eyelashes and Spraying… which will be published a bit later in the week!  Enjoy.

A new girl has been released by Romantic-Breeze. She is Syrnx, a nymph!

Soom has released the last in their series of elemental-themed monthly dolls: Chalco, Forest King. He is available in both normal skin and tanned skin, and his animal parts include hooves, tapered fingers (along the same style as Amber’s, but without the hair and not as long/thin), antelope-style horns, and a skull mask.

He is for sale here and will be available from January 25th to February 10th.

Jaime-doll is rereleasing their 15cm line. Cristin, Ping, Davi, Trudy, Dino, Pong, and Ara all have received new looks! Pictured below is Ara and Pong.

Jaime’s basic dolls from 15cm Adonis dolls will be on sale from January 22th.

January 22 -12:00 at noon Kst. Adonis basic dolls will come out.

The new Adonis basic dolls will have new make up and outfits.
We are sure that you will like their cute and adorable looks.

Raurancio Studio has released a new doll, although I’m not sure if it’s Shalgiel or Shalgie… it varies between the announcement and the image (and even is spelled two different ways on the site).

Height(Including head) 67cm
Girth of neck 11cm
Girth of Head 23cm (9inch)
Girth of chest 31cm
Girth of waist 23.5cm
Girth of hip 28m
Girth of wrist 7.2cm
Right handbreadth 4cm
Left handbreadth 4cm
Width of shoulder include arm 16cm
Length from shoulder to elbow 10.5cm
Length from elbow to wrist 10.5cm
Girth of ankle 9.5cm
Girth of knee 14cm
Length from navel to knee 21cm
Length from knee to sole of the foot 21cm
Width of shoulder include arm 16cm

New doll by Impldoll named Edward. Resin colors coming out: Gray skin coming soon. They will also be offering real skin & white skin at a later date.