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We have identified four different Skill Levels for coloring Reborn dolls. You don't need to be intimidated about making a reborn doll because you can start at Skill Level 1 (which is very easy) and work your way up to the more difficult techniques. In fact, you probably should start at Skill Level 1 in order to get acquainted with vinyl as a "canvas."
SKILL LEVEL 1: lipcolor pencils, manicure nail polish, stencil creams and glass paints are rated EASY because they are ready to use without much prep time or cleanup time. You don't have to mix colors, you just use them as is.
SKILL LEVEL 2: Acrylic Paints and RIT dye are rated skill level two because there is more care required in their application. You do need some inherent artistic talent in order to mix colors properly and apply them with correct results.
SKILL LEVEL 3: Oil paints are very nice to work with and they don't dry out while working with them, but they do take a long long time to dry: as long as two months to fully cure. There is more cleanup after using oil paints. You are likely to make some mistakes before you get comfortable with using oil paints on vinyl. Oil paints are wonderful for making ethnic dolls with beautiful skintones. I've been told that Oil Paints don't work on the silicone type vinyl.
SKILL LEVEL 4: The Genesis Heatset paints require more skill when mixing colors. There is definitely a learning curve while you figure out how to work with the heatset paints. The Reborn artists tell me they had to stick it out until they got the hang of it, but they feel it's worth the effort and expense of making a few mistakes, because the Genesis heatset paints dry fast and the colors are very durable on vinyl. The Genesis heatset paints can be used on the silicone type vinyl.
- ADVANTAGES: Easy to use, easy cleanup. Transparent colors are good for blushing.
- DISADVANTAGES: Limited color selection, there are only one or two colors that are popular. And only one brand name: Colorbox. Can be hard to find. Limited color selection.
- ADVANTAGES: Easy to use, easy cleanup. Transparent colors are good for fingernails.
- DISADVANTAGES: Rubs off the lips if the doll has a pacifier. Glass paints are available in limited color selection.
- ADVANTAGES: Easy to use, wide range of colors available, easy cleanup, nontoxic, good for playdolls.
- DISADVANTAGES: We don't know how permanent or lightfast the colors are.
- ADVANTAGES: Easy to use, easy cleanup. Some of the reborners love the Stencil paints but I'm not real familiar with how they're using them. Stencil paints are opaque, which can be an advantage or not, depending on the situation. Also very good to use on vintage dolls for blushing.
- DISADVANTAGES: Stencil paints are not transparent. Not good for overall skintones.
- ADVANTAGES: Easy to use, easy cleanup. Transparent colors are good for fingernails.
- DISADVANTAGES: Nail polish can get gummy over time. You should use an undercoat as well as a polyurethane varnish over the nail polish to seal and protect it from breakdown.
- ADVANTAGES: Good for facial features and nail color. Popular for fashion doll repaints.
- DISADVANTAGES: not appropriate for blushing the infant dolls. Requires an undercoat in order to stick to vinyl better. Requires a topcoat of varnish or else the paint might rub off.
- ADVANTAGES: Good for ethnic dolls and all-over skintones. The dye can be re-used. RIT is recommended for vinyl and works well. You can mix the various RIT dye colors to blend your own special custom tints.
- DISADVANTAGES: Don't overdo the color. It's easy to get too much. You have to work with the dye to get a feel for it, how long it takes to get desired results, etc.
- ADVANTAGES: Very beautiful skintones and blushing can be achieved with the oil paints. The rich colors are a pleasure to work with.
- DISADVANTAGES: Takes a very long time to dry. Don't use too much of the Safflower or Linseed oil mediums, or else the paint might never dry. When completely dry, oil paint needs a surface sealer or else it might attract dirt.
- ADVANTAGES: Dries immediately when you want it to be dry, because you use a heat gun to dry the paints. Adheres very well to vinyl: forms a strong bond. You can layer the paint, drying each layer and then apply another layer on top of it.
- DISADVANTAGES: Requires special equipment such as a heat gun or a drying oven. (A hair dryer is not hot enough.) You have to mix your own colors, which takes some trial and error until you are comfortable with the paints. Does not need sealer or topcoat.
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