I only work in Acrylic paints on my reborns. There is a learning curve in painting with "air dry" paints. The more talented you are as an artist with an understanding of human skin color, the better the result. Letting your Painted Layers CURE is key. (I'm also a professional fine and graphic artist).
YES... "FolkArt Soft Touch Topcoat". $5.00 for a 2oz bottle. I apply in sections with a soft brush and then lightly dab with a clean wedge sponge and let dry/cure. Only needs one coat. Leaves the painted vinyl with an even VELVETY LOOK finish that's soft to the touch! I used to use the FolkArt brand Matte Finish Sealer which sometimes left "white" areas when it dried. I really like this "Soft Touch Topcoat" product much better!
@@bethstephey6026 No no baking. The coating is permanent but will scratch from a fingernail etc. which I've done so I just touch up with a bit of the topcoat and it's good as new again.
Clara is so beautiful! I absolutely loved holding her. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with air dry. I've always wondered why air dry wasn't more common and assumed it was because they weren't durable. I'm not into the whole baking process so never thought to try reborning but this makes me reconsider trying.
Aw, thanks Amanda! I loved your Emmie too -- such a cutie pie. I think air dry is nice for those of us who are less patient, lol... Having to bake between layers definitely seems like a pain!
I have been making dolls from all sorts of mediums. I have ceramic dolls painted with "air dry" paints that are 30yrs old and the paint is still intact and reborns that I painted approx 7-10 yrs ago and paint still fine. It is dependant on the quality of paint and mediums used and how it is applied I have found. I have also found that light adult facial wipes clean the best with a light wipe not a rub. Anyhow that is my experience with "air dry" over 30 yrs.
I have paint, a year ago, a realistic doll for my 2 years old daughter with folkart acrylic paint. The doll, after a lot of handling and rough play, is still in a pretty well condition. So I have no doubt about the durability of air dry paint, even the cheap ones !
The Genisis paints are what puts me off trying to reborn, i'm not keen on having to bake them and toxic fumes!!. I am so happy you like the air dry paints I might get some and try it esp the fx sounds good. Clara is very lovely she looks well made. I enjoyed your Rose footage as i couldnt attend, maybe next year and thank-you
Really interesting. I think I might try air paints. I have not started yet reborning, but you brought out some good points. I have COPD so the air paints I think would be safer for me;.
Julie Garrett's World I have asthma and actually the more expensive acrylic paints get to me more than the cheap stuff at Michael’s. I thought I’d throw that in there.
Yes, it is not healthy to breathe in GHSP and thinners. I bought a Nu-Wave oven for this reason and bake outside. I actually lost 2 canary birds while I was doing this in my kitchen oven. Air dry paints and GHSP have both good and bad points but both are just as durable in my experience. Mottling is easier with GHSP but creases and overall finish are easier with air dry. Nail tips are easier with GHSP. Thanks for sharing. Sharon x0x0
Oh Wow Sis GREAT video! Thank You SO very much for answering all my questions! I feel so much more open minded now. I was so unsure and have missed out on a few gorgeous babies bc of it. You are awesome and I enjoy and appreciate your videos!
I enjoyed your sharing and informative comments on the air dry paint. I hope to start soon and wondered which would be best! Thanks so much, I am a happy subscriber now! Your baby is gorgeous , she will always have your heart; I think!
I’m starting out. I do paintings with Golden paints so that is what I’m using. When I started mottling there were spots I didn’t like. In a painting, I can remove something with a Mr. Clean sponge unless it’s a staining color and even then I can remove a lot at least initially. It’s not working that well with the vinyl baby. It’s there to stay I think and quite lightfast. I didn’t know about Genesis until recently but I did stained glass in the 70’s and 80’s and quit because of lead exposure and chemical exposure too. Life is short-I’d rather not speed that up.
I’m glad to hear people talking about this. I have been using air dry since I started because of what I read and I have health issues that would prevent me from breathing any kind of fumes. I made reborns for my nieces to test durability (and because I knew they would love them ) and the paint is holding up really well with heavy play :)
That's great to hear. I use air dry for the same reasons and the babies I have that have been painted with air dry have held up really well too! That's great that yours have survived the "kid test". :) xoxo
I painted my baby with air dry an year ago now and she looks almost perfect! She has some rubs on the tip of her fingers (she has really opened hands and I’d say I’m pretty rough changing her 😭) I did varnish her with a heat set varnish by the way
I wouldn’t use any prepackaged wipes on painted dolls. Additionally a lot of high quality varnishes are alcohol soluble. Varnishes are made to be completely removable with certain solvents. A good varnish can protect art from uv and other damage and other risks. If the varnish is damaged it can easily be removed and reapplied. If you use alcohol or other solvents to clean your art, you risk removing the protective varnish, then your art can be exposed to more uv, and other risks to the paint layer. I’m glad this video was made about harmful chemicals as well. I was very close to who died from cancer that was caused by the paints and sealants she had used in the past. Anyone who is using heat set paints should also not be baking them in their homes, as one person stated they had two pet birds die that way. That is pretty much expected with birds in the house, so imagine what these chemicals are doing to other living things in the house. I don’t Know if all artists would be forthcoming but it’s best to ask what paint was used as well as what sealant and varnish. Definitely ask what they recommend for care, but knowing the actual products can give you more insight into what not to use on your doll.
Clara was done so beautifully. But I do wonder if air dry babies have a more realistic look based on whether they're painted by experienced artists versus newer artists. Genesis paints seem more forgiving for the beginner artist, especially in regards to actual working time for the painting process. Air dry is something I wouldn't mind trying one day, but currently I've invested quite a bit of money in the genesis heat set system lol! I don't think I would mind buying an air dry painted baby either. As long as they're sealed properly they should be fine. In general it has just always seemed to me that genesis heat set babies seem more vibrant in color than air dry painted babies. But again it could come down to knowing how to properly work with the paints. Hope you enjoy your Disney cruise, sounds amazing! I'd love to see cruise footage, I'm sure it'll be amazing coming from Disney.
Mary, you make some great points. I think Genesis seems to be easier to learn with and more forgiving because you can make changes and adjustments before you bake. My babies are nowhere near Melissa's level given that I'm a beginner, but I'm not doing too badly :) Ok, I'll plan to show you guys some cruise footage. I'm not sure how the internet access will be on the ship so I may need to upload when I get home!
Always use a filter mask when you use the thinners and gloves so it doesn’t absorb into your skin. And the starter kits paints for genesis I never even use I buy different colors and works much better and you don’t have to buy as many, lot less expensive. Also bake in the nuwave oven in a well ventilated area, like the bathroom or a garage
Thanks for sharing this I myself paint with Air Dry Paints, my dolls are in very good condition after 2 years. (sorry for my bad English) Im so happy for this video that someone speaks for Air Dry Paints.
I just began reborning in October 2018 and I also use air dry paints. I agree with you, I think that there is a more realistic depth to skin tone with air dry paints.
Wow Melissa George is so talented at painting reborns with air dry. I always found air dry paints to be much harder to use due to the fast drying time. This baby is so precious & I too noticed that they are fairly durable paints! also glad to hear you had fun at the doll show! I have been on a binge of doll show videos & would LOVE to go next year:)
So interesting to hear your thoughts since I've never tried Genesis. Agree Melissa is so very talented -- I love my Clara so much! Glad you've been enjoying watching doll show videos.. I love watching them too! It was fun to watch in previous years before finally getting the chance to go.
I have seen some babies on eBay that have been created with air dry paints and I have never bought one as I thought the paintwork would come off easier nice to know that is not really the case so thanks for information
Oil paints are a lot more dangerous to use than the water based paints, because of the turpentine thinner that is used to control the medium, and when it is heated it becomes a carcinogenic.
Yes, unfortunately that's what I've heard about the GHSP... I don't think the health risks are worth it for me. But I know it's by far much more commonly used. If used, it's ideal to work outside or in a very well ventilated area. And never bake the parts in the same oven used to cook your food!
I had been wondering this about air dry paints as well. I have a little boy here to get a new body who was finished off with air dry paints, and I've been super nervous to handle him. He's my best friend's baby. She got him as a boo-boo baby and added some details to him herself. It's good to know I can treat him normally. LOL. Oh wow, two vacations back to back! Sounds very fun but exhausting! I hope you can recover a little in the next few days! XOXOXO
Thank you Nicole! I'm very excited about this next trip but it is definitely crazy having everything back to back this year. :) And yes, enjoy that air dry baby!
Which doll kit is this baby? Air dry paint is a lot more tougher than you think. Yes you can wipe her down. The paint will not flake off. The sun bleaches everything over time. Even a heat set paint will get bleached over time too.
This doll kit is the Levi kit by Bonnie Brown. One of my absolute favorites :) And yes, agree about the sun -- very important to keep our babies out of the sun.
Elmer’s glue can be difficult to remove and is reported to yellow over time. Professional PVA glues should not yellow but are also nonreversible. I watch a lot of fine art restoration videos.
I am debating buying Reborn A-Z. You mentioned that’s how you learned to paint reborn dolls. Can I ask you a few questions about your experience with that class?
I know this is probably an old video LOL 😂😂💙💙 and I’m always behind on your videos I’m trying to catch up LOL but thank you so much for this Mrs Lynn really. ✨✨✨💚💚💚 I just decided I wanted to paint babies and open up my Etsy shop etc. again in the future. I’m not to sell babies yet but just open up my shop again. I personally want to paint some babies for myself. I wanted to do air dry paints because I’m not comfortable with fumes in such being through the house especially that I have two young kids so this really help me solidify my want to use air dry paints instead.😊😊☺️☺️☺️☺️ So thank you for making this video as always I enjoyed your videos your babies and your very calming tone💚💚💚💚💛💛💛💛💙💙💙❄️❄️❄️✨✨✨✨
Also I bought Liquitex Acrylic Medium Matt for putting first on the baby so it sticks, what do you think about this product, what do you use, do you mind letting me know on your sight. I'd LOVE TO HAVE THE SOFTNESS AFFECT.
Clara is a beauty!! 😍 I paint with air dry and I'm still looking for a good sealer. I use Decoart ultra mate varnish but it seems to be like a plastic coat that is easy to scrap or scratch, you know what I mean? Also I feel that the texture is not that soft, like "baby skin touch" that I want. Is there any better product that you recommend?
I've always used Special Care Nursery air dry paints.. I got scammed on a baby once, it took me months to get that baby returned to me, when it was retuned it stank of cigarette smoke. I tried everything to get rid of the smell, in the end I put the doll parts in my dishwasher.... The paint work was as good as new! You baby is beautiful. There's baby wipes called, water wipes.. These are very good.. They are natural with no chemicals
Is that possible to tell us some names of quality acrylic paints? Just to help us and are they disponible at Michael's or the place where we buy the kit? Sorry for my english, I am french!! Thanks for your help.
Happy to help! I buy Che'Air dry paints from www.reborningpaints.com. I highly recommend them. There is also another line called Reborn FX that you can get from MacPhersoncrafts.com. And at art stores, Liquitex is one I've heard good things about.
Hi i met you at the rose doll show. i asked you for a picture and autograph!!!! I love baby Clara so much, shes so adorable and looks and feels so lifelike!!! Reply if you can, it would be a great pleasure??? tell Audrey i said hi!!!
Hi Catie!! I will always remember you and hope to see you next year! I was seriously so floored that you asked for my autograph (no one has *ever* done that, lol) I will definitely tell Audrey you said hi! You are so sweet and I'm so glad you discovered this wonderful hobby early in life. Big hugs! xoxo
Thank you so much! It was a huge pleasure meeting you, Audrey, and the your reborns! I hope to come next year but its a slim chance because I live 18 hours away, and it can get expensive all added up, But if i do i hope to see you there!!! Thank you so much for talking to me, but i better get to bed!! i hope to see another upload tomorrow !!!
I am a die hard Genesis user. Never have used anything else. Genesis paints are non toxic. It's the vinyl that causes the health problems. So Genesis is not the problem. Also handling hot vinyl is dangerous too. I just wonder how well the air dry paints will last on the surface of the vinyl. Will they rub off in time? With Genesis, as long as you bake in a well ventilated area, and do not handle the hot or warm vinyl you should not be exposed to any toxins from the vinyl. Using gloves is also an option when handling the vinyl while painting.
I had heard it was the baking that caused the danger, not the GHSP themselves. I'm not an expert in the topic but from what I've seen the air dry paints hold up just as well as long as they are properly sealed. Good advice - thanks for sharing.
Yes, Genesis is getting a bad reputation for no reason. It's the vinyl that is the dangerous threat. Anyone baking vinyl should not be breathing in the fumes from the vinyl. My oven is in our garage and when I bake, the garage door is open. I still suspect that over time, air dry paints will not hold up very well. It's all so new so only time will tell.
OMGness My husband and I dream of going to Alaska! I would LOVE to see your vlogs if you decide to share them. Then I will be asking you about Alaska hahaha Sorry I am always full of questions! :-D
I don't mind your questions! And I love reading all the comments. :) I might do one video to summarize some highlights from Alaska, we'll see! It's such a dream vacation, we're excited.
Hello, new subscriber. I'm a fellow reborn artist. I have long wondered about the durability of air dry paints. I have only used GHSP. 😊 I have an oven in the garage and I only bake the kits there. Never in our house. I also wear gloves when handling the vinyl and have a fan blowing on my work station. Having good ventilation is crucial for health reasons. The reason I prefer Genesis is because it bonds so well into the vinyl and is a pleasure to work with. I just wonder if the air dry paints tend to sit on the surface of the vinyl vs actually bonding to it. Also, is there a high risk of cracking/peeling, fading etc. It would be nice to not have to bake parts... saves money on electric bills etc. For now, I'm going to wait and see what happens with these air dry paints.
+LoveMyBoys, you seem to be taking all the right precautions when using GHSP. I've never used Genesis but I know that many artists feel the same about them as you do. I speak from limited personal experience since I've had these babies a fairly short time but I have read many comments on the various forums and I will say that most of the ladies in our air dry class who had been using GHSP for a long time said they were going to switch over. I agree it will be interesting to see how things evolve! :) Welcome to my channel too!
Back when i started reborning in 2003 i used regular Windsor Newton oil paints..had to wait a week for each layer of paint to cure and soak into the vinyl..i would work on 7 dolls at the same time so that when the last one got hung to dry, the first one was ready for the next step.. think I'll ditch the GHSP and get me some CheAir..
Thank you for this information! By the way, I just love Clara, she is my favorite of all in your collection. I am still learning about reborns and I was under the impression that GHP was ideal. I love Thomas and almost bought him, but since he wasn’t painted with GHP, I didn’t buy him. Thank you again for the info.
What air dry paints do you use again? where could i buy them? What other air dry paints do you recommend? What medium do you use again and where can I buy that too? Please and thank you 😊
I use the Che'Air dry paints and you can find those at www.reborningpaints.com. She also sells the prep layers and thinners, etc. on her website. Hope this helps xoxo
Very Informative Information! I wondered myself about the Durability of Air Dry Paints vs. Genesis Heat Set Paints. The Risks of the Genesis Heat Paints are kind of Alarming. Thanks for Sharing this Information :-)
Yes, it's definitely something to look into... I've heard of some artists getting cancer which is so alarming! :( I'm definitely planning to stick with air dry, personally. xoxo
this the most beatiful baby I have seen beatiful baby. my baby kit is only 99 inches but she is beatiful. can you tell me what at I do the very first thing I watch videos and I am confused ty.
Hi lynn, I baught a chase kit and painted it by using normal acrylic paint diluted with bottle water and added some thinning medium he turned out nice, two weeks ago 😭 I m still waiting for the sealer today I went to check on him as he was wrapped in a towel and got shocked as I found he turned orange red fainted 😖😭😭😭. Pls Linn if possible for you write me the name of airdry paints that I should buy online and what to dilute with them pls🙏 as here in Malta I don't believe that I find any after shops lock down will be over 😔I m feeling pain in my chest all day. I wish some how send you pictures of how he was and how he turned into, if its OK for you can you tell me pls I ll really appreciate it cause I'm not able to buy a ready made baby. God bless your baby looks amazingly perfect yours truly Cynthia from Malta xxx
Hi there, I'm so sorry that happened! I have used the Che'Air dry paints which you can order at www.reborningpaints.com. She also sells thinner to use with her paints. xoxo
@@LittleFootNursery Good morning Lynn, I just woke up here in Malta is 8.30 am I didn't sleep well last night, I really appreciate your reply dear how I wish to hug you 🤗😢 cause here only you can understand my pains!!! Should I have to use something else before applying the paints pls
www.bountifulbaby.com is a great place to start for kits. For paints there are many options. You can research Genesis heat set paints as well as air dry paints.
What can a person add to a reborn? That will prevent paint loss on a reborn that gets held a lot and gets heavy use? This is for a memorial reborn baby. And what kind of sealer should be used?
Hi that looks like a real baby I have question about using liquitex professional acrylic medium on reborn dolls can it be and how do you mix it thank you
Hi I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your channel, lots of info!! I don't want to do any painting for anyone but myself. Which form of paint is easier to learn for touchups and refreshing issues? Deb
Do air dry painted reborns sell as well as the Genesis Heat Set painted ones? I have felt the difference between the two. The air dry painted ones are a lot smoother and softer to the touch and much more real looking. I would like to try this as a business hobby.
