If you're already familiar with Susanna Oroyan's work and books, then you've probably already bought these books. For doll-makers who haven't come across Oroyan's magic yet, you're in for a treat!
Designing the Doll is a reference book and a how-to resource that will enable you to translate your ideas into realities. Part one is all about designing the figure. The chapters are headed Making Choices, Consideration of Form, Design Elements (scale, texture, colour, patterns, style), and The Whole Body (heads, gestures, proportions). Part two covers a wide variety of construction methods: Moulds, Armatures, Assemblies, Joints, Cloth Figures, and Learning to Critique. There are also three galleries showcasing work by 130 of the world's top doll artists to inspire you.
Finishing the Figure is about the finishing touches for your dolls -- costuming, embellishing, display, and beyond (photographing, packing, and shipping). It deals with costume and the elements of design, how to draft a pattern, how to dress the doll you've made the from top to toe, how to create a setting for your doll. There are more than 300 colour photos of dolls by doll artists from around the world.
It is amazing how much practical and inspirational information is packed into each book. The pages are brimming with colour photographs, helpful diagrams, and clear instructions. For example, the spread (two pages) on making glasses gives four different methods, plus five other tips. The spread on jewellery has four colour photos and three sets of black-and-white diagrams showing how to make a pocket watch, how to make a ring and a stickpin, how to make bracelets, earrings, and a chatelaine.
Page after page of beautiful, unbelievable, imaginative dolls will inspire you endlessly. You'll see dolls that will make you laugh, make you soppy, and hold you in awe. You will be encouraged to try new things, to expand your own doll making, and find exciting new options and possibilities opened up to you.
Even if you thought you weren't a doll-maker, you only do quilts or some other fabric craft, you'll be a changed person after looking at only one of these books. I challenge you to resist the temptation they create!
These books are published by C&T Publishing and can be bought directly from their website or the other big on-line bookstores.
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