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Monday 23 July 2018

New Paint colors Released.

These are the new color releases from the Rebornfx air dry paint line.

The Rebornfx  Dark Hair color is a nice warm black color.   When thinned out it has a very dark brown color hue.  When white is added in it shows a warm baby brown instead of a blue grey color that most blacks give. This makes it nice for painting baby hair and adding in highlights.



The Rebornfx Transparent White Wash paint is different from the Rebornfx White. The white in the White Wash paint is transparent (see through) and does not leave a chalky residue. One use of it is to lighten the value of vinyl to match another lighter value before neutralizing it. Demo pictured below;
 Here pictured above are samples of 2 arms that I want to use on same doll. As you can see they are not only different colors but  the left one is lighter in tone/value and the one on the right is a darker tone/value.


The picture above is after I have applied 2 layers of the Transparent White Wash to the right arm. You can see it is now lighter and of same value as the left one. They are still not the same color hue but by lightening the right arm the neutralizing process will now be a lot easier to accomplish.
I have also used the Rebornfx Transparent White Wash to lighten the paint a bit on a biracial skin doll I had gotten a bit too dark in the beginning. After applying the white wash I then added a lighter tone of the dark flesh I was using and it turned out much nicer. Sorry didn't take pics of that process at that time.  

The Rebornfx Light Ochre paint I found works very nice as a wash over the nose bridge area and adds some nice transparent yellow undertones on other areas of the skin.




Wednesday 21 March 2018

Neutralizing update


Since the mini blog information sheet on Neutralizing/Color Correction below was written, I developed a color correction paint set to go with the tutorial. The paint set has all 6 of the Rebornfx paint colors needed in half once sized bottles. It also contains a printed edited version of the information below for easy reference.
This is the paint set kit that can be purchased at; https://www.macphersoncrafts.com/en/online-store/rebornfx/rebornfx-air-dry-sets


Neutralizing or Color Correcting your Reborn Doll Information


If you have been reborning for a number of years you will have come across the terminology of "neutralizing" your vinyl dolls. Some years back the vinyl doll kits varied from a dark bubble gum pink to a orange or dirty yellow color. This is when the neutralizing methods began in reborning. In order to get rid of those awful colors so our transparent flesh paint layering didn't take on those undertone hues ,one had to neutralize that vinyl color first.   Thankfully today most of the vinyl in our doll kits are closer to a more natural skin color. So neutralizing a vinyl before painting it is now a choice.  However you may need to use the neutralizing method for other reasons.......

Today I  ran into a situation that required me to use the neutralizing method. My kit had an arm missing so I was able to get a replacement. The problem was my kit was about 2 years old so when the replacement limb came it was made from a newer batch of vinyl. The newer limb shown on the left had more yellow in the die lot color than the older parts did on the doll. In this situation neutralizing the full kit is necessary. If I choose not to neutralize then I would be "fighting" with the yellow hue when painting in an attempt to make it match the other limbs.
So here is what has to be done to neutralize the vinyl color and make all parts match;
The basics of neutralizing is to apply a paint color that is opposite to the vinyl color.
To help you with that a color wheel is a very good tool to use. You will see that I have matched up the opposite colors for different colored vinyl below to give you an idea how to do this.
Shown above is a (cool toned) pink vinyl and when compared onto the color wheel you will see the opposite color is green. So for this type of vinyl I would apply a transparent layer of Rebornfx Mint Green Wash acrylic paint.
Shown above is a yellow toned vinyl piece and when compared onto the color wheel you will see the opposite color is purple. So for this vinyl I would apply a transparent layer of Rebornfx Violet Wash acrylic paint.

 In this picture above the vinyl has an orange tone to it, so the opposite color on the color wheel here is blue. I would apply a transparent layer of Rebornfx Pale Blue Wash acrylic paint on top of this vinyl. If the vinyl orange has a bit of a yellow hue to it then the Rebornfx  Bluebell wash is good to use for that color.
In the picture above you can see the different colored vinyl pieces and the paint colors that I would use to neutralize the vinyl color.
 
Now lets see what happens when you apply a neutralizing color onto your vinyl.....
 
TAH-DAH!
 
The original color of the vinyl is shown at the very bottom of the belly plates. Then you will see I left a line of the neutralizing paint color I used as it's first layer. (Violet on the left yellow toned vinyl and then mint green on the pink toned vinyl) On top of the neutralizing color I applied a coat of Flesh color to show your the results. Both pieces end up looking alike even though they started off with different colored vinyl. This is the method that I will now use on my doll kit arm to make them match.
 
Another way you can use washes is to correct a painted doll that end up to grey/blue tone. Do this by applying a layer of  the  Rebornfx Warm Wash all over the areas you want to change the color. If you don't' like the pink tone of your babies skin and would like to change it to a more peach tone then you can add a layer of the Rebornfx Light Ochre Wash over top. These color corrector paints are included in the Rebornfx Color Correction Paint set sold at   https://www.macphersoncrafts.com/en/online-store/rebornfx/rebornfx-air-dry-sets
 


 

 

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Update on new RebornFX Ultra Matte Varnish and Matting Powder

Oh my, how time flies! I've gotten behind in my blogging as life rushes on....
Thought I'd better update this blog on the newer products that have been developed in the Rebornfx line that I have been having fun testing out.
First off Rebornfx has come out with their Ultra Matte Varnish.  Now this stuff is " awesome"
It leaves an ultra matte finish with no shine AND it also leaves a really silky feel to it. I love it! A little does go a long way. I did a 20" reborn and you could hardly see I used any out of the 4 oz. jar.


You do have to ensure you stir the stuff before using as the matting agents do sink to the bottom of the jar when it sits for a while. Easy to apply, just add it to your dense cosmetic sponge and lightly pounce(hard pouncing may leave bubbles) onto your finished reborn doll. It goes over air dry acrylics and heatset paints. Ensure your paints are fully dried/cured before applying. Paint that is still wet underneath can cause the varnishes to go cloudy. Let air dry for at least 24 to 48 hours for full protection.  Here is a sample picture of what my reborn painted vinyl looked like on the right and then I added on one coat of the Rebornfx Ultra Matte Varnish on the left side.
Ultra Matte Varnish added on left of line                                               
The feel of the dried Rebornfx Ultra Matte Varnish  is unbelievably smooth and silky.

The next  new Rebornfx product is the Matting Powder. The Rebornfx Matting Powder can be added into acrylic air dry paints (including the Rebornfx Air Brand paints) to help take away paint gloss.

On the left I have added in Rebornfx Matting powder into Liquitex brand acrylic paint shown on the right. You can see how nicely it matts down the shine from that paint when added. You can see how I add the Rebornfx Matting powder into the paints on my you tube :  https://youtu.be/-4Yvv55YP30
You do have to be mindful to mix according to directions and not to add to much. Adding to much can affect the binding properties of your paint or if not mixed well  it may leave powder dots.  I think this product has great advantages for using with acrylic paints in reborning.

Now I'm off to painting my Reborn Dolls = only 33 more days until Christmas!


Wednesday 18 October 2017

New set of Rebornfx color selection

Announcing New Colors in Rebornfx paints. 
Due to requests from former Babyfx paint users, we decided to produce some comparible pigment colors from the discontinued Babyfx paints in the Rebornfx air dry paint line. This will help reborners who have used or are still using the discontinued Babyfx paints to still have some of their favorite colors available in another air dry paint brand. This also eliminates the hassle and time consuming task of mixing your own paint colors. Here is a list of the new paint colors that are now available at MacPherson Arts & Crafts






I had not tried the Babyfx paints, so I found these new colors interesting to use. The Caramel Skin has a nice warm glow and is great for fixing up or neutralizing  grayish or bluish  skin tones. The Strawberry skin is great for new born skin tones and also works well with neutralizing orange or yellow toned vinyl.
Thin skin color works well on toning down red and can be used as a neutralizer for pink vinyl.  If your skin tones end up to light for your liking, the Sun Kissed paint is great to slightly darken down your skin tones.  These colors are great for adding a mottled skin tone as well. I can imagine that there are many uses for these new Rebornfx colors!   
The reborn doll picture is one I am currently working on using Angie Jones's Babyfx Peach Skin Tutorial (LilDumplins Nursery). I found it easy to substitute the Babyfx colors in the tutorial with the Rebornfx paints.


Monday 28 August 2017

New RebornFX Paint Kits

We have been busy making up some new Rebornfx Paint kits.
The first kit that has been completed and is currently up for sale on the website is the Calligraphy Hair Painting Kit. This kit includes the instructions and all the tools including a 3D medium sample. needed neatly packed into a plastic carrying case. All you need to do is add the paint colors you want to use for your hair.  Personally I really like the ReBornFX Ash Brown paint color
 
RebornFX Hair Painting Kit
Rebornfx Calligraphy Hair Painting Kit. 
The other new kit we have just finished putting together is our new Rebornfx Trial Kit. This kit has 30 half once bottles of colors, 5 mediums and more that is nicely packaged in a plastic carrying case for easy storage.  It is a great way to try out the paint colors and see what your favorite ones will be. You will have lots of paint to do many dolls! Link: https://www.macphersoncrafts.com/en/online-store/rebornfx/rebornfx-air-dry-sets/rebornfx-air-deluxe-trial-kit-detail
RebornFX Air Starter Kit
Rebornfx Deluxe Trial Kit


Sunday 6 August 2017

ReBornFX 3D Hair Painting video link.

As per a recent request I have now finished a you tube video on how to apply the ReBornFX 3D Air Dry Medium for Textured Painted Hair. 
Here is the link; https://youtu.be/LIRz_hDEfDs .
This is just a basic short video showing you how I apply the 3D medium.
Also refer to the blog I did previously which includes more pictures and instructions for this product found on Wednesday, 8 March 2017 Blog post on RebornFX 3D Medium Hair 
Hope this helps. It is a very fun medium to play with and has lots of open time, is easy to remove errors when wet and it is very durable once dry.

Wednesday 19 July 2017

ReBornFX Spray Sealer

I have not yet had the chance to use pigment powders as part of my reborn painting method, but many others do. It has interested me to the point  that  now I have officially put it onto my bucket list to try. The new Reborn FX Spray Sealer was created for use with the pigment powders and pastels (thanks to one of our clients who came up with this idea for us). The Rebornfx Spray Sealer seals in the powders with it's great adhesion and has a  UV light protectant in it to minimize color fading. I had an interesting conversation with a customer at the IDTS show on how she was going to try a mixture of our Reborn FX  Sealer, Diluent and paints to put into her airbrush machine for application. This really took my interest so I am hoping to hear back from her on this intriguing method of painting reborns.