Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Coffee from Arabia and Tea from China




Dances from different countries representing various sweets are performed for Clara's entertainment.  Here we have the Arabian dance is (coffee).


A dear friend who has since passed away painted the head for the dancer from Arabia.  I was having a lot of trouble with the eyes, and she came up with the technique of painting in the whites of the eyes first, then adding the details of the pupils later.  Each character of the Nutcracker Suite is unique, and I hoped to convey that in their faces, as well as their costumes.  

A word about painting faces: try.  

I have many, many discarded 20 mm wooden beads.  My hand wasn't steady, the eyes were different sizes, the mouth turned out lopsided, etc. etc.  It's not cheating to use a pencil first - paint is permanent!  If you mess up one side, turn the bead around and try the other.  Paint over the messed up stuff with whatever color you choose for hair, or cover it up with a hat. Be brave!

If the head in a pattern is too complex for your taste, keep it simple:  





Kristen Rabideau has posted an excellent resource for painting faces titled, "A Simple Guide to Peg Doll Faces" on her website:

http://www.drawn2bcreative.com/peg-doll-faces-printable-guide-and-planner

Peg Doll Faces {Printable guide and Planner} - Drawn2BCreative


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