How to Model the Head of a Doll or Figure

Today we have another demonstration in a series of instructional videos from Marisol Romero about cold porcelain. Marisol Romero is a cold porcelain artist from Argentina, where this medium is very popular.

Many air-dry clay projects call for Styrofoam shapes as armatures for figure modeling  In the following video, while at a craft show, Marisol shows us how to wrap a foam ball and model the head of a doll or figure.  She also demonstrates her method for creating eyes, which are normally painted on.

Face Modeling Video

This is a very good video demonstration of how to model a cute face in cold porcelain.  You may not understand the language (just mute it) but the important parts....how she uses her fingers to shape the face....are very clear.   Note that the eyes are painted on later and are not part of the face shaping, this simplifies the modeling.

Jorge Rubicce Basic Doll Head Demo

Cold Porcelain figure by Jorge Rubicce

In the following video, master craftsman Jorge Rubicce, shows us his method for modeling the head of his cute cold porcelain figures.   He starts with a Styrofoam ball (for armature) and an equal size ball of cold porcelain to create an egg shaped head.   Notice that he uses his palms to form the cold porcelain and always works toward center.  He also applies hand cream to his hands while smoothing out surface of cold porcelain.

Little Farmer step by step

This  cold porcelain tutorial written by Fernanda Malzoni shows us how to create this cute "little farmer" figure step by step, with progress photos showing each step.  This tutorial is in Spanish, use Google Translate to translate page if needed (or other online translator).

How to Create the Texture of Wool

Jorge Rubicce imitates wool texture in this cold porcelain video demonstration. He also shows how to create the effect of hair peeking out from under the wool cap. Notice that the head he is working with is fully cured and he uses white glue to attach the additional cold porcelain for the cap.

How to Decoupage on Cold Porcelain

Clown by Jorge Rubicce with decoupaged shirt

Jorge Rubicce demonstrates how to decoupage on cold porcelain.  This technique was used to create the flower-patterned shirt for the scarecrow shown above (and in video).   Video is from South American television show 'Bienvenidas'.

Make a Skinny Doll Ballerina

Create this cute ballerina skinny doll from cold porcelain following these instructions from Giselle of  Gisarteira Atelier.  Customize the doll to your own preference!  

Step by step instructions (in English) follow the video (which is written in Portuguese).

Modeling a Simple Doll Face

In this video, Christina Albuquerque of Brazil shows us how to model a simple face.  This cute doll head has an easy 'button' nose and the eyes will be painted on after clay dries.  Learn this basic face first and then you can customize with different expressions.

Christina starts with a ball of cold porcelain that is the same size as the Styrofoam ball that will be the head armature. She also shows how to carefully mold the clay around the Styrofoam ball so that you end up with a smooth surface and no trapped air. This is an important skill that must be practiced many times.   Other air-dry clays can be modeled using the same methods as cold porcelain, especially the softer clays.

How to Use a Doll Face Push Mold

Baby Face "Scarecrow" Doll by Jorge Rubicce

In this video from the South American TV show "Bienvenidas" (Welcome), Jorge Rubicce demonstrates the proper method for using his doll face push molds. Rubicce is a well-known cold porcelain clay artist and is designer of these molds, which are much larger than the doll push molds commonly found in USA (such as those designed for polymer clay). These molds are commonly found in South America (where air-dry clay is extremely

Sleeping Baby by Wilson Cabral

Today's demonstraton is from well-known clay artist Wilson Cabral. In this video he shows us, step by step, how to create the cute sleeping baby shown above.   Video narration is in Portuguese. If you don't understand the language, just "mute" the video

Step by Step: Skinny Doll with Pink Dress

Art instructor Evelyn Fonseca shows us how to dress a "skinny doll", step by step. Evelyn is from Brazil and narration is in Portuguese. If you don't understand the language, just mute the video and follow along as she demonstrates each step.   The "Fox" clay used in demo is a commercial cold porcelain. You'll also need a Styrofoam ball for the head, a

Make This Cute Pizza Man Figure

Make this cute pizza man as a free-standing figure or cake topper!  Step-by-step instructions at Manualidades.   If you need to translate the webpage try Google Translate.

Modeling a Walking Doll

This short video demonstrates how to make a simple body for a cold porcelain figure.   It also shows how to make some easy shoes and how to create a walking pose.

Head Modeling Demo by Guilherme Pires

Guilherme Pires is a clay artist from Brazil who creates the cutest clown figures and one-of-a-kind character dolls from homemade cold porcelain.  In the following video, Guilherme shows us how he models the head and face of his figures.  First he models a girls face then changes it to a male face.  Next he ages the features and then...watch and see!

Make This Cute Little Rascal

Make this cute little rascal in his overalls and ballcap following the steps in this cold porcelain tutorial.   Tutorial was scanned from a Portuguese-language magazine and kindly translated to English by our friend Evelyne.  Please visit her blog 'Sowl Mini'.    Click images to view larger photos for each step.

Materials needed: 

Cold porcelain (pre-tinted in colors needed)
Hot glue (or white glue, to adhere parts)
Scissors
Silicon mold (for head, optional)
Acrylic paint & paintbrushes  (or paint markers)
Toothpicks (to strengthen joints)
Doll hair or brown macrame cord (unraveled to make hair)
Tiny wood buttons (optional)
Modeling tools  (needle tool, roller and optional rolling stitch marker)
Wood base

How to Sculpt Doll Hands and Feet with CP

Bebidoll demonstrates modeling hands and feet for a doll made with cold porcelain.

In this second video,  Bebidoll sculpts a dolls head with cold porcelain. She's using techniques more often seen with polymer clay than cold porcelain.   Her doll's face has a more realistic look to it than the typical 'cute' face seen on cold porcelain dolls.

Another hair demonstration!

This video demo from Donna Lane will show you how she applies hair to her cute figures using a clay gun.  This is actually a video demo for gumpaste, but the process is exactly the same for cold porcelain....just use regular glue where needed instead of "edible" glue!

This video stops suddenly before she adds the bangs to the hairdo. There's suppose to be a "Part 2" to this demo but I can't find it posted anywhere.   I'll post this Part One for you because it seems to contain most of the demo.  If you know where Part 2 is....please leave a comment and let us know!!  ;-)

How to Make a Cute Character Head

This video demo from Tammy's Cakes uses gumpaste and fondant to create the character, but the process is exactly the same for cold porcelain.   Just use regular white glue instead of edible glue and paint or felt tip instead of edible ink!

Demo for adding hair was posted last week.

How to Make Doll Hair with CP Paste

Two methods shown for creating hair for your cold porcelain dolls or figures.   These video demos from Tammy's Cakes are using gumpaste and fondant, but the process is exactly the same for cold porcelain....just use regular glue instead of "edible" glue!

Part 1... Making hair without extruder

Part 2... Making hair WITH extruder

A cute Mrs Santa Claus-step by step

Cold porcelain video slideshow from Eliane Sol demonstrating each step in creating a Mrs Claus figure and box topper.  Many details are shown for shaping and painting the cute face.