How to learn to Makeover Barbie Dolls

Learn the art of Fashion Doll Customizing & Repainting

Doll collecting ranks as one of the largest hobbies there is. Within the doll collecting world, there is a small subdivision called OOAK, or customized dolls. These are fashion dolls that have been made-over to be one of a kind creations. The artist who creates these dolls has learned the art of fashion doll customizing and repainting. The artist will have removed the factory applied face paint from the doll, and carefully repaint the doll's features by hand, resulting in a wonderful new one of a kind doll. These are called repaints. They are usually sold nude so that the collector can redress them. Barbie dolls make a wonderful canvas for repainting, as do Tonner dolls.

This is a repainted 16" Tonner Fashion Doll.

When the doll has not only been given a new repainted face, but has been transformed into a brand new creature, such as a mermaid or fairy, they are wildly collectable and sought after by OOAK and fantasy doll enthusiasts.

OOAK Barbie Dolls are so awesome!

Have you seen all those cool customized fashion dolls on eBay and the web? Do you wish you could make them for yourself? That's right where I was ten years ago when I stumbled on OOAK dolls on eBay. ( OOAK means One of a Kind. ) I thought they were the coolest things I had ever seen, and being crafty, I wanted to try to make my own.





 
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to learn a new craft and not having the information you need at hand. You don't know what works, and you don't know where to start. Searching through tons of websites only to come up empty is discouraging. I know your frustration, as I have been there many times myself. I didn't know what paint to use, what to use to remove the paint, and what kind of brushes to use, let alone the techniques!

I thought I could figure it out on my own. My first efforts were horrific at best. It literally took me years to learn how to repaint decently, due to a complete lack of any photo tutorials. They just didn't exist when I started customizing fashion dolls, and this put me at a huge disadvantage.

As soon as I began to show improvement in my repainting, I started taking photos and making little online tutorials. As time went by I knew I wanted to offer my experience with all the new and budding doll artists who were looking for something to guide them.



Many artists keep their secrets closely guarded and won't share their experience with you. And while they have every right to do so, it can make it hard when you are looking for help. (I don't share everything I know. A girl has to have some secrets!)

I had a very hard time finding any help when I started. Help that actually takes you by the hand and teaches you step by step was next to impossible to find. Oh sure, there are some free repaint tutorials online, but none of them have photos! How annoying and useless is that?   Trying to learn to repaint can be down right impossible if you do not have the proper tools and techniques.


Like I said earlier, when I first began customizing dolls and learning to repaint, I didn't know where to start and couldn't find good information on it. So, I simply decided to jump into it and test and try everything myself. Once I did that, I learned what works and what doesn't. I made a lot of mistakes and it took me a few years to develop solid techniques and my own style.

This is a before and after photo of one of my doll commission repaints. What an amazing difference!

Doll customizing is not only lots of fun, but may lead to a new and exciting career that can earn you a good income! Many doll artists start out as hobbyists and soon find that they have become so addicted to this craft that it turns into a business for them. This can be you. If you have ever looked at the OOAK ( one of a kind ) doll listings on Ebay you will have noticed that some dolls sell for huge amounts of money. These artists spend a lot of time perfecting their craft and it shows, and there is no reason this can't be you if you have the desire, the time, and most importantly, the TECHNIQUES.

Here is the good news!

I have written a series of instructional CDs that I have offered on eBay and my websites for the past several years.

No more guesswork! No more endless searching!

You will find all of my instructional CDs loaded with tons of photographs, lessons, and tutorials to teach you everything you want to know about this art form. While I demonstrate mostly on Barbie sized dolls, these techniques are universal to all size fashion dolls. I currently offer 7 instructional CDs.

Learn to Repaint Fashion Dolls Volume One,
And New in 2009- Fashion Doll Repainting Made Easy, Volume Two
Learn Easy Hairstyling for Dolls
Magical Mermaids
Learn to make Fanciful OOAK Fairy Wings volumes One and Two
and
Fanciful OOAK Fairies

Read all the details about each CD on my website.
You can find them at Donna Anne's Fantasy Dolls

I have noticed that a great many folks who have bought my manuals are now established doll artists whose dolls regularly sell. Couldn't you use a little extra income?



On my CDs you will find an enormous amount of information that will quickly guide you through the steps needed to repaint dolls and create your own One of a Kind  (OOAK) dolls. I not only show you each step of the process, but also tell you what doesn't work. Let my eight years of experience in doll crafting help you in your creative endeavors.


 I show you repaint and doll customizing tips and secrets that some artists don't want you to know! Nothing is held back. I share all my techniques with you. I make it so easy for you to learn, and provide detailed photos for each step. I list all the supplies you need, and where to get them. All of your questions will be answered and it will become clear how you can easily create one of a kind works of art for yourself, to make as gifts, or to make for profit!



There is NOTHING else available even remotely CLOSE to the HUGE amount of information I share with you. No other book; no other CD.  And, if you ever have a question, all you need to do is email me and I will help you out.

And guess what else? I even offer you some FREE TUTORIALS on my website! I will be expanding on these in the future, so if you would like to be updated on my dolls, CDs and free tutorials, join my Yahoo Group- no spam, just updates from me once a week. Go to my homepage and you will see the link to join.
Donna Anne's Fantasy Dolls




Check out my other websites for lots of eye candy and CD info! Thanks for visiting.

Repaint Dolls.com