How to Make Realistic Doll Eyes

Page Three

Learn how to make realistic doll eyes in this FREE step-by-step tutorial. This is a beginner's guide to painting dolls eyes. You are viewing steps 9-12.

STEP 9: Let's make something fantastic! In this step you can go ahead and add a little sparkle, making the doll eyes more ethereal. In this instance I've used a tiny speckle of gold and silver metallic paint. When you make realistic doll eyes, there's nothing to say they can't be realistic "fantasy" eyes.

I've applied it with a dry brush, dabbing my brush into the paint and then wiping most of the paint back off before applying to the eye. This way the paint is thin and sparse. Working in this scale (4mm) even the tiniest bit of paint really shows up, so you don't want to over-do it.

STEP 10: Adding the pupil correctly can really make or break the doll eyes. I generally don't use a pure black for this (I find it looks too stark), I use Burnt Umber. I pat dry my brush so there's no chance of water pooling on my newly painted eyes. I then load up my brush with a generous amount of paint. The paint on the end of the brush will form a perfectly round blob if you have done it right. Gently touching the paint onto the centre of the iris will form a round pupil. Touching lightly will make a small pupil, pushing harder will make a larger pupil.

NOTE: Do not let the brush touch the eye or the shape will not be round anymore. You are simply touching the paint to the eye, allowing the loaded up paint blob to do all the work for you.

STEP 11: Here is the big secret in learning how to make realistic doll eyes: RESIN.

I have used Liquid Gloss Epoxy from Adelaide Moulding & Casting Supplies (offsite)

Details: Liquid Gloss Epoxy gives a clear glass like finish that equals up to 50 coats of urethane varnish. Just mix and pour or brush on it on in a single application. The finish is impervious to water, alcohol and most other chemicals. Works on many surfaces including canvas and can be poured into silicone moulds.

I have simply brushed it on with a disposable paintbrush and allowed to set over 24 hours.
Note that I have imbedded some red lint fibres into the resin. I have used this to emulate veins. In such a tiny scale you do not need this step since you can barely see it- however it's a little touch that I really like. (I have tried to show the actual size in this image however it can change according to your computer screen settings).

STEP 12: There you have it! All you need is some clay, paint, resin and a little patience. This is a project that any beginner can achieve with a little practice.

I have run various tests on this resin and it has proven to be quite durable. Unlike some other resins, it does not seem to chip, peel, dislodge or discolour. It does get some bubbles if it is too cold. The bubbles can be popped by carefully sweeping a lit match just above the resin a couple times. Don't do it for too long or the resin gets too hot and starts to run.

I hope you had fun with this beginner doll makers tutorial! If you have any questions or would like to show me your results, please feel free to contact me via the contact form.

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