(on BJD's [Ball jointed dolls])
Ball-jointed dolls have inspired me to get back into sculpting. I have always found them fascinating but never thought I could be skilled enough to sculpt one.
However recently I have also discovered La doll porcelain clay (which you can carve after drying without much consequence and layer back on since it is air-dried, or smooth with water because it is water-based). it has solved all of my reservations with sculpting as far as not being able to get results I am satisfied with.
I have several designs I am working on but I am unsure if I can share pics on Blanket-Fort so may have to share the photos elsewhere.
I also sculpt keshi (one or two-inch tall mono-colored unarticulated figures). My passion for these was also revived with La doll clay.
Several resources I am using to learn sculpting and casting are:
1, Nymphai doll's YouTube tutorials on engineering and sculpting BJDs
2 Craftsman Steady Crafting, is one of my favorite YouTubers and I recommend their videos to anyone who is interested in crafting as a hobby.
3: Art Dolls Studio and their subtitled videos (that can be found on YouTube) on art doll making.
Points of reference for the aesthetic I am going for with my art toys are.
1: Mecha anime and games (Evangelion and Xenogears).
2: the Popovy sister's dolls.
3: Bikkuriman keshi figure and Kamen riders Keshi
4: The works of Fumeto Ueda (his painting and video games)
5: The clothes designs of Vivienne Westwood.
6: The visual work of Shawn Crahan and the albums of his band Slipknot
7: The manga Hunter X Hunter and Dorohedoro and Noise.