|
Post by fitz on Sept 30, 2014 18:18:03 GMT -8
When it comes to considering buying a doll- What do you look for? I definitely like artistic pictures- but I like at least one standing straight picture so I can see how the body looks. I like multiple joints, but only if they are aesthetic- I will give up double joints in favor of a beautiful. Body. I think I prefer flat standing feet to high heel feet- but if I can have 2 sets- that would be great. I think the face and painting is very important, and I like painted eyes more then glass when it comes to small dolls. There seems to be a trend in long hair- but often I get my dolls a short wig- just because they are neater for everyday.
Anyone else care to weigh in?
|
|
|
Post by nessa on Sept 30, 2014 20:52:44 GMT -8
An artist's unique perspective and style. I'm a sucker for good looks and that almost always trumps poseability, practicality, and everything else, haha.
|
|
|
Post by allurose on Sept 30, 2014 21:44:36 GMT -8
Posing is actually the first thing I look for. I won't buy a doll without double joints, and if they have extra joints like a double hip joint, 3 part torso...even better!
Painting style is also very important with porcelain. You can add to porcelain paint by giving a doll temporary makeup, but you can't take away.
I used to have a strong preference for realistic bodies, but I have seen so many fascinating stylistic choices that I no longer want all my dolls to look as realistic as possible. But I do like the sculpting to be detailed and smooth looking. I like joints that blend smoothly into the overall form of the doll as much as possible (unless the joint is a feature...I'm thinking Angel Egg Dolls).
I agree about short wigs! Long wigs are a pain. I am so picky with photos that I want to brush the wig every time I take a picture, which shortens the lifespan of the wig a lot.
I would put the pictures requirement in a general category of artist professionalism. I feel better buying from artists that are established enough to have a website, good photos, clear options on the website, and enough following that there are people posting photos and reviews of their dolls and customer service on flickr. Some artists are really good at making dolls and not so good at running a business and that can really bite you if you aren't careful!
|
|
|
Post by caracal on Sept 30, 2014 22:31:25 GMT -8
Posability is very important, but the smooth look of the body is most important of all things. And yes, there definitely has to be at least one photo which shows the body standing straight! I don't like the torso joint to be right under the breasts -that just does not look good and it makes posing look weirder than if the joint is little bit lower. To me the body does not have to be realistic -it just has to be beautiful in my eyes; feminine, soft beautiful lines... (sorry again to talk about resin dolls, but I think Lillycat Cerisedolls SD size body is perfection! That figure!!! ) About size preference: for me the perfect size is about 40cm (16"). That size is easy to handle, doing clothes is easier than doing clothes for 30cm (Barbie size) dolls -not only the sewing, but the fabrics drape more naturally in bigger size. 60cm dolls are harder to handle, that is why I don't like larger dolls anymore that much -yes, sewing for them is so easy, but photographing is pain. Make up is very important when it comes to porcelain dolls -in resins you can just change it I don't care about the wig -I can always buy another one (or do ) Price is important. I don't have much money to spend on dolls, because I always think that there are many many more important things I have to get in our house and build our garden (and that needs lots of money). Easy and safe buying is also important of course. Still waiting for the right porcelain doll to come to my house (it has to be perfect and price has to be right... so, I think this is never going to happen) edit; oh and I HATE auctions! So whenever it is possible to get a doll without stuped actions, I prefer that method. I live in a country where prices in stores etc are fixed and I love the system -I hate in some countries, where You are supposed to spend minutes to hours with the seller to get the price lower (and You are considered fool, if You don't try to get the price smaller).of course the price goes up in auctions though, but the thing is for me, that I want to know instantly what the right price is and I can make the decision in that second wether I want the item or not. So, auctions are a turn of for me.
|
|
|
Post by bibarina on Oct 1, 2014 0:48:31 GMT -8
I think my reasons for buying are changing all the time as I gain more knowledge. With my first doll, I hit lucky with all the details, because primarily what caught my eye was how realistic she looked and how quirky- with her own definite personality! I had originally been looking for a doll that was much more 'artistic' and stylised. I bought her from a relatively unknown doll artist on ebay and I am glad I had zero experience at the time, because if I knew then what I know now I probably wouldn't have bought her and that would be my loss because she is just gorgeous! My second doll was much more thoroughly researched and I am really pleased with her too, she is really top quality.
I tend to look first of all if I like the facial features and if they fit with the 'look' I want. Then I look at the body sculpt, how it articulates and holds a pose. Then size-I prefer smaller than 16" on the whole. Lastly, I research the artist, look at their other dolls, check out other peoples pictures of dolls by the same artist, then try and find out the the the pppprice (yes that was a stammer! lol!)- and weep buckets when I can't afford it!!!
|
|
|
Post by nenethomas on Oct 1, 2014 2:52:56 GMT -8
The first things I look for when considering to buy a doll is the face--face, face, face, and then the body and consider the price of course. If the face is 'off' to me in some way (eyes not positioned right, too much asymmetry, features not in proportion to each other, or I dislike the face shape) it won't really get a second look. If the face is something I like then I start to notice the body, the pose-ability, the outfit (if it has one). It usually takes me several looks when discovering a new doll to even notice their jointing and clothes!
As for the joints, on the torso, I do prefer the join to be right under the breasts even though it does seem to limit pose-ablity just because it looks prettier to me. I dislike the 3rd part of the 3 part torso(I call it underwear joint) because it looks like underwear to me, (and on the one resin doll I own that has it, it doesn't seem to give the doll really any more movement! and aesthetically I don't care for the hip joint--but I LOVE the leg to chest poses you can get with the hip joint! I do tend to not be a huge fan of super hyper-realistic genitals on dolls--males or female, but that hasn't stopped me from buying them! And I never display my dolls nude anyway, because for me most of the fun is putting the dolls in fabulous outfits if they didn't come with them (like all the Immortal Classique dolls did).
So the upshot is that I would buy a beautiful (to me) doll with single joints over an doll that I personally find unattractive with a much more complex jointing system. However, I am not into non-poseable dolls, so they do need to have some jointing!
|
|
|
Post by kellys on Oct 1, 2014 4:48:52 GMT -8
The face really is my main consideration, for sure! I like an innocent, kind expression. There must be an overall harmony to all the features- face, body proportions, and joints. I think what makes some dolls really stand out are ones where the sculpting is not necessarily realistic, but the sculpting really "feels" real- even if it's exaggerated or stylized- it seems like real lips, real fingers, real curves to the body that seem like they would feel like flesh if you touched it. Painting has a good deal to do with that as well. I love glossy lips and fingernails, the contrast of texture makes the doll come to life.
|
|
|
Post by caracal on Oct 1, 2014 5:41:21 GMT -8
Menethomas, I hate the 'underwear-torso' too! It really does not effect on the posing ability and is just ugly. (I have had few dolls with that joint and really, I still do actually have at least 4 resin dolls with it -might be more, can't remember)
|
|
|
Post by Snegurochka on Oct 1, 2014 7:57:37 GMT -8
Inspiration. If I see a doll, and suddenly get ideas for ways to dress her, things to make for her, photography, etc, then I know that she is the doll for me! Of course, if the doll's face and body are not beautiful to me, then I will not be inspired, but it has to be more than just pretty. I have seen some dolls that I think are very beautiful, but I can't think of a thing to do with them if I were to buy them, you know? To me, my dolls are muses, an extension of my own art. So they have to inspire me, or I won't buy them, no matter how pretty they are
|
|
|
Post by fitz on Oct 1, 2014 14:44:01 GMT -8
Sngegurochka- That is a good point, some dolls are beautiful, but I have no idea what to do with them. I also am not a fan of the underwear joint (I like that). And I do prefer the joint in the torso rather then right under the bust . Makes the breasts look knocked askew when the doll is cocked. I can see though that it is a good place to hide the joint since there is a natural fold. I also like a neutral expression. I dont like permanently sad or exuberant (though I do like the unoa "o" face). I just like them to look thoughtful. Leads to more I emotion I can imagine them having. I also prefer that the doll fit into some mass produced clothes- I do like making clothes, but I like "hunting" for things that fit. I think buying things for my dolls gets me in more monetary trouble then the dolls themselves.
|
|
|
Post by Snegurochka on Oct 1, 2014 14:54:07 GMT -8
Fitz, that is exactly what I mean! In the past I have actually bought dolls just because I thought they were pretty. I thought that once I had them home, the ideas would come. But they never did, and I ended up selling them. So I try never to do that now, it's just not worth it. Oh, and I totally agree with you on the underwear joint. I think it's kind of disturbing
|
|
|
Post by skulptress on Oct 15, 2014 8:32:00 GMT -8
I am definitely a sucker for a pretty face. I also like long limbs, they can even be somewhat exaggerated, I don't like dolls whose legs look too short. Lean and elegant is how I like 'em.
|
|
|
Post by bluemoonstars on Oct 15, 2014 10:25:12 GMT -8
I look to see if the doll will evoke a response in me...Sometimes there are wonderfully made dolls that are classically beautiful but just leave one cold. It is the personality that emanates from the doll that calls to me. SisterFox dolls, PaperWhite Dolls and Kelly's dolls are some examples of dolls that strike that chord in me.
|
|
|
Post by kalani on Oct 15, 2014 11:03:56 GMT -8
I don't own any porcelain yet though I do own resin and vinyl dolls. I prefer aesthetics to fancy jointing. It's the face that sells me first. Generally I prefer the dolls I buy to be naked too, I won't pay extra for an outfit. (even the one full set girl I have doesn't wear her fullset, I like making each doll unique for myself and enjoy that creating process.)
I like unusual sizes....I'm finding myself really getting into the 50cm category lately and the 35cm range.
|
|
|
Post by bibarina on Oct 22, 2014 5:46:51 GMT -8
I look to see if the doll will evoke a response in me...Sometimes there are wonderfully made dolls that are classically beautiful but just leave one cold. It is the personality that emanates from the doll that calls to me. SisterFox dolls, PaperWhite Dolls and Kelly's dolls are some examples of dolls that strike that chord in me. I totally agree with a doll having to evoke a response- I too look at dolls sometimes that are beautiful and seemingly perfect, but leave me untouched. This is what drew me to SisterFox dolls too! I just loved the personality oozing out of them! I feel so lucky to own two of her first dolls, and will watch her skills further develop over time with interest...
|
|