Someone from Greece asked me to make a doll for her representing a man who has been drinking. She called him a Drunker man. She had bought my Innkeeper pattern to make the doll, but was worried about making the face as she wanted to give it as a gift. She asked me to make the face for her for a portion of the price it would have cost her for me to make the whole thing, so I agreed, and this is what I came up with, according to her specs.
I took this photo and sent it off for her approval. Happily, she liked what I had done, but she didn't like the blackness inside the mouth and said it made him look sick instead of funny, and could I change it. Even while I coloured it black, I could see it was not right, but sent the pic off anyway expecting her to say she didn't like that head and would I do another. I just wanted to know, so I could get on with it!
When she explained what she wanted I thought I'd have a go at changing it with paint. So I painted all but the fine edges of the inner mouth with white acrylic, let it dry. I used watercolour paint in a dark red mixed with a little paynes grey to achieve this more healthy colour in his mouth. I used the black Gel pen again to draw in the teeth, then painted the inner mouth - not the lips - to give it a finish.
The thing is - like everyone, I am still learning too! It's one thing to be able to needlesculpt adequately, but getting the colour right is very important to the overall look of the doll. I am grateful for the feedback I received and to be able to correct it satisfactorily, as well as to learn from my mistake!
