WIP Merman BJD

[Kd_Bunchanumbers]

Lol, I honestly didn't intend to even do this project but a few days ago I wanted to try learning how to make little doll accessories using polymer clay so I went to my craft store. Turns out they had this MASSIVE block of Living Doll Sculpey for half price so I figured since it was good value for money.

I’ve been toying around with the idea of copying Allan’s head for customizing cuz I don’t wanna keep customizing vintage ones. Initially I thought about using silicone and resin molding but it was so expensive tracking down a small amount.

I then realised I didn’t want an exact copy of his head since he has a smaller neck than most standard guy dolls and I just wanted to copy his facial features and mess around with other stuff.

So instead I went with a polymer clay push mold. I pressed my allan’s face into a wad of clay, cure the clay then press fresh clay into the cavity.





But then I really liked how the clay version of this sculpt turned out, but I felt really cheap on buying a whole new body just for this clay head. So I began sculpting a torso just to keep the head on temporarily... but then I really like it so I kept sculpting more and more and ended up with this:









I used to collect Ball Jointed Dolls for awhile so I was familiar with their jointing patterns and since I love 1/6th scale and experimenting with articulation it came rather easily for me. And I've always wanted a jointed merman doll, but alas I could never pay the money for the cost of one regardless.

I've begun painting it up after gluing felt between the tail joints and stuff, but he's far from complete.

[DollyKim]

WOW!

[Eseme]

Wow KD, he's amazing! I love the idea of casting a favorite sculpt (we all know you love Allan). And his tail is so expressive. You have fabulous skills, I know anything I sculpted would not look that good.

Also, so happy to see a merman, we see so many mermaids, I'm happy to see a guy with a tail.

Thanks for sharing, you continue to inspire.

Eseme

[maywong]

Great job. I love his ears.

[victoriavictrix]

Holy crap, KD, that's awesome work! I wish there was some way you could manage to offer that torso and tail for sale, I think you'd make some money.

[Kd_Bunchanumbers]

Thanks everyone! To be honest I felt like while making this doll I was groping around in the dark for answers since a lot of bjd tutorials were behind paywalls or they weren't clear enough for me lol.

However since making this doll I felt like I learnt SO much more that I'll probably make a even better and refined doll in the future that I would feel comfortable about casting and selling. It's baby steps for me but I'm proud of my own progress so far.

[Pleasesaveheart]

You are literally my 1:6 hero. This is amazing! Also going to do that for my dolls for sculpting unique faces.

[MitisFeles]

That's so AWESOME!
I'm so looking foward to see more dolls from you in the future after this beauty *_*

[SetsunaKou]

Absolutely gorgeous! He's perfect! I especially love the arms and fins! So detailed and INCREDIBLE! Bravo!!!!

[Dark Angel]

He is fantastic. It's really cool how you got his face.