Josh and Andrew's Ball Jointed Doll: part 1

My good friend, artist, doll maker, and creative soul-mate Andrew Yang and I have ventured on a several doll making projects since we first became friends in December of last yer. This entry documents the first part of our most ambitious doll project yet.
It was inspired by a trip to KinoKinuya where we found the book Yoshida Style: Ball Jointed Doll Making Guide by Ryo Yoshida. The entire book is in Japanese but we are stumbling stumbling through it thanks to the very good instructional photos.

Our supplies:
Styrofoam, La Doll air dry clay, and sanding and filing tools.

designing the dolls proportionscarefully carving the foam support
refining the parts

more refining
The BJ Doll next to one of Andrews blank fabric Kouklitas. (We are hoping they can share clothes)

with hands
hollowing the limbs and sawing the joints
refining the face
Now she is completely hollow and ready for her ball joints!

Stay tuned!

Enchanted Doll charms

ED charms
Originally uploaded by biscuitbear

Check out these charms I was commissioned to design, inspired by the work of one of my favorite doll artists Marina Bychkova.
http://enchanteddoll.com

Princess Academy charater drawings

Bennie

Simone
Petunia

J. David McKenney ipod case!

Hey Everyone!
Check out my very own Arts Projekt ipod case available very soon at your local apple store!
Get one before they run out!

The Vamp

New Paper Doll Tester

tester

Give it a try and let we know what you think!
more shoes? more jewelry? more hair? let me know!!!

Play Art Director: part 2

Okay so it's time for another phase of my "Play Art Director" blog project. The drawing most responded to, in comment and via email, was Mass Passion so I'm exploring that composition further with these new watercolor sketches. It was suggested that I should maybe replace the rose with a drippy Italian ice. Now for me, a cup of Italian ice doesn't evoke the romance and eroticism that I'm looking for with this particular piece but I do love the idea of sexy, drippy, red goo....so now the flower is dripping sexy, red goo.
For the next phase I'm going to work on a more finely tuned pencil sketch, and I'm sure the composition will evolve and become more complex as I do that, but I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on the direction it's going!
Please tell me what you think! I LIVE for feedback!
J

3 Women

process sketches: