I just finished another vintage-inspired doll, and wanted to try the one-step crackle again. I can't say I'm completely pleased with the way this one turned out. I'm talking about the forehead/nose area. It turned out darker than I'd intended (in a blotchy sort of way), and messing with it just made it worse - so I stopped. See what I mean? I think part of the problem was not thinning the brown paint wash sufficiently.
This is the third of the four dolls I've been doing assembly line style. This one has a vertical stretch direction (fabric) for both the head and the body, so she's about 17 inches tall. I like the general shape of the head, but notice a better chin area when the fabric stretch direction is horizontal.
Today I sewed the dress for doll number four. I may be too pooped to start painting the facial features.
I was told by someone that one should get the crackle on with one brush stroke and with the right amount on the brush. It is not easy to get it right I found and invariably I have stroked it several times which ofcourse made it worse :-)
ReplyDeleteThe blotches are not showing up very much on the photo. Can you redo the whole process again over it if you wanted to?
I think irregularities in crackle are part of its (debatable) charm. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll re-do this one, Shashi, but consider it a learning experience. When I compare to the #1 doll that has no crackle or antiquing wash, I like this aged doll better.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about the irregularities, Jan, and it's good for me to lose control a little. :)