Free Faceups Maybe...?

[WriteSomething]

Hello! Not much of a talker her; I'm more of a lurker. Pretty much everywhere, actually. I was just wondering if anyone would ever be interested in free faceups from a new-ish artist. I just dipped my feet in the water a little over a year ago. I've done around 10 faceups, and I improve each time. I want to get a lot better (to pro level hopefully), but I don't have any money for dolliehs. I don't know if I'm good enough to charge money quite yet, but I was wondering if I could do it for free, would anyone take me up on the offer as sort of a "starter" faceup, if I ever had time to officially offer it? I prefer to work mostly on 1/3 dolls, and my materials of choice are watercolour pencils, pastels, usually just a bit of paint, varnish, and MSC. Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section.

[DollyKim]

First let's see pictures of your face-ups. We always like looking at peoples' dolls around here

[WriteSomething]

I was pretty much just asking about the idea, since I don't know if I'm planning on doing it anyway. I didn't take any photos, because, like I said, I don't really have dolls. My friend's dolls are the ones I did. I pretty much otherwise just have Pullips and junk, and I don't have the heart to wipe those yet. I kinda wanted to know if anyone's done this in the past or had it done and how it went over or thoughts about it in general.

[TasiaChiba]

Plenty of people have done this, and still do, offer free faceups. DollyKim was just letting you know that you'll have to be sure to take photos of any work you've done, even of your friend's dolliehs, as reference photos so people can see your style and know whether or not they'd be interested. ^_^

But yes, lots of people got their start offering free faceups first so they can practice, build their portfolio, and see if offering faceups is even what they want to do~

[DollyKim]

Pullips are welcome here. It helps to have pictures so people can see what style you have, even if its other peoples' dolls.

[WriteSomething]

I know this. I also understand that. But you see, this was not the point of my asking. And I do not have pictures because 1) I do not have the dolls. That is the only reason. I have no access to them and friend has no idea how to take pictures. I am also not asking about myself but people offing in general. I get the whole "send your thing to me and I'll do stuff to it" thing and am not new at that (MLPs, action figures, etc). I am experienced in painting and reprainting. This is not new. I understand how these things work but I was asking about how people feel about sending their doll to a near-beginner.

[WriteSomething]

Plenty of people have done this, and still do, offer free faceups. DollyKim was just letting you know that you'll have to be sure to take photos of any work you've done, even of your friend's dolliehs, as reference photos so people can see your style and know whether or not they'd be interested. ^_^

But yes, lots of people got their start offering free faceups first so they can practice, build their portfolio, and see if offering faceups is even what they want to do~

I didn't see this before! It refreshed weirdly. Thank you so much for the help, and if I ever plan on going through with this, I understand definitely that I'll have to get camera crazy. I knew that before. As I said, action figures and stuff. Now to find someone with a camera...

[TasiaChiba]

You can totally post even photos of action figures and MLPs that you have that you painted. Like I said, it shows style and whatnot and gives people an idea of what may be accomplished~ Oh, and Barbies are totally a go as well, or Monster Highs. Or really anything of that sort!

Now, to just a find a camera~ ^_~

[WriteSomething]

Thanks for the advice. Action figures are all sold. I'd rather not post of MLPs, because they were done with an airbrush, which I no longer use. I've found that style differs between airbrush and, erm, not airbrush greatly. I'd do Monster Highs and Barbie, but I find that buying those promotes too many gender stereotypes for kids , so I stick to dolls made for adults. I might post some pony pics though...if I can track some down.

[Greyhaunt]

As others have already mentioned, we are non-discriminatory around here when it comes to dolls, and other toys often slip in and we don't have a cow about that either as they tend to relate.

I think that your best first bet is establishing yourself as a member of the group and talking about whatever dolls you chose so people can know you. Most folks will probably hesitate to send things to someone that they don't know in anyway, so delurking to talk will help them have more confidence in you.

Many people are willing to give faceup newbies a try - so once they know you a bit and see some of what you've done they will probably be willing. Just remember, while a feeler thread like this is ok, any actual thread relating to providing (even a free) service, when you plan on doing so, will need to be in the Sell Your Skills section of the Swap Meet.