As I continue to explore the process of toy design, I thought I would take it upon myself to try and sculpt my own toys. This doll here was the first attempt I made. While not perfect, I thought it was a good first step into my journey of working with toys!

Unfortunately for me, I did not take a photo of the very first step, where I put the clay around an aluminum ball, but I did catch the step of first sculpting her face. The doll was inspired by the character on the left, my character Odile. The things I wanted to do was make sure her nose was sculpted correctly, as she had one that arched out. It was my first real time using polymer clay, so I was unsure of how to do hair. As you can tell here and in the final product, her hair is a bit more rounded rather than pointed. I also tested the affect of 3D pupils, but ultimately decided against it. 

I then began to paint. Using multiple layers to make sure her skin tone was peachy, I was able to make her look lively and crisp. I used acrylic gouache, not the first choice for most but the only choice I had on hand. For the white, I used white acrylic, balancing her head in an old water bottle to dry, The brown around her eyes were able to create 3D feel as I made sure to sculpt a small indent.

I decided that instead of sculpting her hair fully since the character had long, curly hair, to use some white yarn instead. I applied the ends with tacky glue, following a fake part on the top of her head.

Yet again I did not manage to take process photos. In between all this, I created two arms for her- one that bends, and one that lays flat. Her legs are bent, with the idea that she is able to sit on edges. Her body on the other hand is made of cloth and stuffed with cotton. This being my first trial, I know in the future to use a full skeleton body rather than just parts, and perhaps to try a different body material. Her clothes were sewed to her body. While this does not allow me to take them off, it does allow her to clothes to look extra pretty (though I dropped some glue on it).