In The Library
Suggested reading, Books and Instructional Information for the Doll enthusiast.
Over the years, I have collected MANY books about doll making. Each served as an instruction or enlightenment to me during my learning process. Listed below, you will find just a few that have been most valuable to me.
These are some of my favorite reference books for sculpting and mold making.
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I've had this book for years. If you're attempting portrait sculpture, this is a must. Daisy Grubbs takes you through the steps necessary to sculp a likeness in clay.
Modeling a Likeness in Clay
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This book, along with the other titles in the series: "Modeling the Head in Clay" and "Terracotta," is an excellent resource for beginning sculptors. In fact, if I could buy only one book on sculpting, it would be one of these three (and most probably this one). The book is a walk-though of a single sculpture, which is instructive, but it is also a great reference. Mr. Lucchesi's style is realistic with natural poses.
Modeling the Figure in Clay
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This is a beginner's book, but one I've had in my library for years. It was written by someone who has taught as well as practiced & focuses on the sculpting process rather than on artistic technique. Some of the mediums he covers (casting stone, glue molds) have advanced in ease of use since this book was written, but this guide has stood the test of time.
Sculpture; Principles and Practice.
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Jack Johnston's excellent book on making dolls in Polymer Clay. Jack walks you through the steps necessary to create a character doll. Head, hands and feet, as well as making a body and costuming. He also covers marketing strategies and techniques.
The Art of Making and Marketing Artdolls
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This book is a must-have for those interested in making your own molds. It was my "Bible' when I first started sculpting and making molds. If you can find it-it's worth the search.
NO IMAGE AVAILABLE. Out of Print, Limited Availability
Plaster Mold and Model Making
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This book simplifies realistic anatomy for amateurs so that they get over their fear of anatomy drawing and study anatomy. If I am looking for "action" figures to apply to my sculpting, I use this book to show correct placement of muscles and masses.
Dynamic Anatomy
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If you're looking for a book specific to hand configurations, I recommend this book. The pictures of the drawings depict many hands in action. An invaluable resource for sculpting hands.
Drawing Dynamic Hands
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Another invaluable book by Burne Hogarth. You can apply his renderings to accomplish sculpts which depict accurate facial features. His description of the "planes of the face" was most helpful to me.
Drawing the Human Head
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Making Original & Portrait Dolls in Cernit by Rotraut Schrott
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Dollmaking with Papier MacHe and Paper Clay by Doris Rockwell Gottilly
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Where would we be without master doll artist Robert McKinley? Most of his books are out of Print Now. You might want to search elsewhere as this is a pricy item..but worth it!
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Sculpting Dolls in Paperclay
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My favorite of Robert McKinley's book. It takes you through making a breastplate in polymer clay.
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Dollmaking: One Artist's Approach
P.S...I've heard Noni Cely has some of these books on her site. Follow the links to her books and instructions. Good Luck
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Susanna Oroyan has definitely made an impression on the doll world today. I have all of her books, definitely a must-have for doll artists alike.
These are my favorite costuming and doll restoration books.
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Published in encyclopedia format, this book covers historical and cultural costumes and accessories. Most of the definitions are accompanied by illustrations, which show wonderful detail. The detail given to accessory item is particularly helpful, as this is often overlooked.
NO IMAGE AVAILABLE
Encyclopedia of World Costume
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This nifty little book shows how to repair composition and other types of dolls.
NO IMAGE AVAILABLE
How to Repair & Restore Dolls by Barbara Koval
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This is a responsible book, subscribing to the view of true doll collectors: Do nothing to an antique doll that will compromise the authenticity and reduce its value. The exquisitely detailed step-by-step directions make it possible for collectors, dealers, even those who own just one or two treasured dolls, to make necessary repairs without reducing value.
The Handbook of Doll Repair and Restoration
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The following books are very useful for selecting a collectible artist doll for purchase, and for appraising your collectible dolls.
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