LaDonna Briggs from Sweet Potato Pie Nursery restores and shows how to paints the face on a 100 year old Elektra giant composition boy doll head. Check out her other RU-vid on restoring the twin Girl Electra doll.
Your videos are better than my words can say. I don’t often comment, because my comments would generally all be the same! Your talent is outstanding. The relaxed and flowing way you paint is heavenly to watch and learn from. I’m a very ‘neat’ and precise type of artist, but when I manage to let go, I love the results. I often watch your videos over and over again, and marvel at your free flowing movements. Thank you so much for letting us watch you work. I think your talent is boundless. xx
Oh my goodness Baby Bunting Nursery, that is the sweetest comment I have ever gotten, thank you so much for your kind words. I just took a look at one of your youtube and they are so fun. I just love the old doll things and anything with vintage painted babies. I for sure will be watching more. Your voice it beautiful to listen too. Thank you for watching my videos and for all your kind compliments, you just made my day!
Thank you so much. I so admire your work. Those dolls are absolutely gorgeous! I watch your videos over and over. I wish I could make over compos like you. I am trying though. You're an inspiration. God bless you and your talent.
Thank you so much for watching. I have about 20 bigger carnival type dolls I am going to start restoration on. I usualy do them all at once so it might take me a while, but plan to do a youtube of all the steps.
i love your work sorry i haven't been on much, i moved states and taking care of my 80 year old mom i hope to get caught up God bless keep doing what you do. i haven't been able to do anything yet with the babies but its my passion you inspire me so much.
Hi Loren, thank you so much and don't worry, you will have time again. I understand what you are going through. Both my parents are in their 80's and needing more and more help each day. I want to enjoy every minute with them that I can, but sometimes it is hard when I know there is so much to do at my own house. Moving close to your mother is a big change and such a loving thing to do. Sounds like you have been very busy. Hang in there and Enjoy your momma, you will have time later for the dolls. God Bless!
I remember finding a few baby ones in my aunts house when I was really young, it’s paint was peeling and at the time I had a severe case of eczema and my skin was always peeling so I thought the baby doll was like me and carried it to the living room, she instantly took it away from me lol I wasn’t even four years old yet so she was worried I would break it. She got it restored btw
I wish you would make more videos I just love them and you have inspired me to make a fb group for donating reborns to childrens hospitals and nursing homes
Thank you so much Briana, I appreciate you watching. I do plan to make more video's of me painting. I have another hair painting video soon to come, but will plan on making one showing skin layers in the future.
I am a fine artist-portraits, etc... you should put a drop of Prussian blue in the brown wash to THINLY paint over the whites of the eyes; the white's of people's eyes have that blue-gray tinge, not just brown. Just brown might make is look jaundiced. Nice work! Kimberly
Good morning Ladonna :) I really enjoyed your HUGE talents painting these compo heads; it can be very challenging to do, especially how smoothly you hand painted the skin color- BRAVO! :) Yes, I would try just a TOUCH of Prussian blue- basically all Prussian blue tones are similar from brand to brand, so I am sure you can find it in the brand you use. Your work is beautiful, and I was wondering, for the base skin tones you paint on, do you use MIMIK brushes? They are fine art brushes that are ANIMAL CRUELTY FREE, as they are acrylic, but the mimic Kolinsky sable hair- they are WONDERFUL and don't leave brush lines in paintings! IF that isn't what you sue, what do you use? Have a great day, Kim!
Hi Kim, it has been about 2 years since I painted the composition dolls, I am a reborn artist now and have put the comp dolls on hold for a while but am planning to start a few more this year. I used a cheap brush, not for sure the brand, to put on the first layer of paint, the 1 shot paint is very forgiving and seems to dry without brush marks, but I have a hard time finding brushes that I love so will look into these. Thank you so much.
Hi Ladonna- GO TO JERRY'S ARTARAMA website, and look up MIMIK paint brushes. Another good animal free synthetic brush is BLACK SWAN which is as soft as swan's down but is entirely synthetic! You will love them! The reborns look difficult to paint to accomplish realism! Your work is outstanding! Kim :)
I love your vids..so helpful and inspiring...Ive reborned since 2003, repaints since 2018(Monster High, Barbie etc) but now i would love to restore old dolls..Where do you find so many? Ive never even seen dolls that old before, in person.. Ive gotta start researching..Thanks
I have a wooden doll from the 40’s it’s like a mannequin sewing doll- the problem is that her paint is flaking off , and is there a spray clear coat to spray her with just to seal her so the paint stops flaking off? It’s very dry where I am living and high altitude. She looks great but I can’t touch her or paint flakes just come off! thanks in advance!
Samantha Anastasiou I’m not for sure about this. It’s hard to stop after the damage is done. Varnish can discolor in time but if you seal with a clear coat it might help.
Hi, Ladonna! I have always loved your dolls! I have a composition dolls that has hair (not a wig) whose paint is peeling off. In researching this doll, I have found that the peeling paint is common for this doll. My question is how do I strip the paint when she has hair?
I'm sorry, just one more question. Does the face paint look flat, satin or semigloss? I'm having such a hard time getting the right color and sheen. Thanks!
I remember these babies from when I was wee little. My mother had one when she was a little girl and I found it in a box deep inside a closet. It scared me. lol I wouldn't touch it
Also, I see you paint with acrylics but I know oils- can it work as well? I like original as much as possible- do I have to take all the paint off or can I just do touch-ups? I love your work by the way and am working on an Electra girl while I watch this...
@@ladonnabriggs8487 Thank you for responding so quickly. So today it seems like more of the paint edges have come up when I thought I was through yesterday! Does this happen to you?
LaDonna Briggs I have one of these type of dolls that I don't want anymore it doesn't have anything on the back of it no name or date I got it from an estate sale .. if you would like to have it I can send it to you.
Claudette Thompson this doll is over 100 years old so definitely not new again but yes the paint is new and I am restoring by filling holes, rebuilding fingers and repairing the old straw bodies.
