Reborning Basics

Assembling the Baby

There are many patterns available and a good quality Reborn should be completely made by each artist, including the body, because it is one of the most important aspects of a Reborn.

Fill the limbs with the desired amount of poly pellets, sand, or glass beads.

Finish filling them with Polyfil to hold the weighting material inside the limbs.

Make sure it is stuffed snuggly so the filling doesn't make noise or move around.

Next cut out a piece of felt to cover the opening on the limbs, and glue in place.

Insert a hand full of Polyfil into the head.

Use a nylon stocking or small cloth bag to hold the weighting material inside the head, and another for the body.

Insert the bag into the head and continue filling with fiberfill until it is nice and tight and there is no movement in the head.

Cover the opening with a piece of felt glued in place.

Attach the limbs to your new cloth body.

Hand stitch all openings closed.

Place some Polyfil in the bottom seat of the body.

Add the second weighting bag and maybe a third if necessary until desire weight is achieved.

Continue to add Polyfil until you have the cuddliness you desire.

Toddlers will require more filling if you want the doll to be able to sit up.

To finish up, attach the head to your stuffed body.

Stitch the neck opening closed.

Now you are ready to go shopping and dress your new baby.

Micro Rooting Mohair

I do most of my rooting with a small sized felting needle. (40 or 42'S).

These needles give the most realistic results, but they break more easily.

You can start with one of the larger size (36 or 38's) until you get your skills and techniques controlled and your are no longer breaking needles. You can remove excess hairs with tweezers are you root.

You never want plugs of hair. One or two per hole for realism.

Cut lengths of mohair twice as long as the desire finished length.

If you want it to be 2 inches long, then cut the mohair into 4 inch lengths.

There are many ways to heat the head while you root, and I prefer the hot Rice Pack.

You can use a heating pad, heat lamp, or a hair dryer if that works for you.

Heat the rice pack in the microwave (made with a sock and 1 cup of white rice)until it is nice and hot, but not burned. About 2 minutes for first heating, 1 minute for reheats.

Insert the pack into the head and fill with stuffing to hold it firmly in place while you work.

I start rooting from the outside edge and work around the outer edge to set the hair line in place.

To begin rooting: Lay a small clump of fibers out flat on the vinyl holding the ends down with your thumb and fingers.

With your felting needle pointed at a 45° angle down and towards the crown of the head start poking it in and out through the mohair.

Do this about 5 or 10 times.

Gently, peel back the hair leaving the rooted mohair strands in place.

If you are using a large needle remove any excessive hairs with tweezers at this time.

You do not want more than 2 or 3 hairs per hole. One or 2 is best and most realistic.

Continue using the same technique as you fill in the head.

Continue as you work your way inward toward the crown of the head.

After you have completed all the rooting, go over the head and fill in any bald spots.

Use some type of waterproof sealer (glue) and a paintbrush to paint inside the head to waterproof and hold the mohair securely in place.

There are many types of sealers (modge podge is also good) on the market today.

Be generous with the sealer.

Wash your brush immediately after you are finished or will dry and stiffen.

Let the glue dry at least 24 hours or longer.

Make sure it is completely dry or it will grow mold later on and ruin your Reborn.

When the sealer is thoroughly dry, I wash and condition the hair again.

You can trim and style it as desired at this time.

Applying Eye Lashes

You now have a choice of human hair lashes or hand rooting them using matching mohair.

If you use human lashes, remove them from the tray and using fingernail polish remover, take off the glue they was holding them in place.

Measure and trim the lashes to the correct length necessary.

Cut both at the same time so they are the same length.

If the lashes need to be thinned or trimmed do it now.

Using a toothpick, apply a thin layer of good craft glue to the strip on the lashes.

Start at the tear duct and work toward the outer part of the eye.

Now use a wet toothpick and gently coax the lashes into place along the eye lid.

Press into place with the wet toothpick.

Trim again if necessary.

When you are happy with the placement let them dry.

Be sure to clean up any glue that may get on the eye or vinyl immediately.

Do not use acetone on acrylic on polymer eyes they will become dull and lifeless.

To Hand Root Lashes

This technique takes practice but it is worth the effort

Using the proper color mohair: Pick up a few strands of mohair at a time.

This will let you have more control over the fibers and see what you are doing.

Wrap the strands over your index finger and hold it securely with your thumb and other fingers.

Pick up a stand of mohair with the needle in your other hand, and twist it a half turn.

This will insure you have the hair on the needle when you insert it, and it is grabbed by one of the barbs.

Gently push it into the spot where you want it to be .

Root at an angle.

Remove the needle and the fiber will stay in place.

Continue in the same manner until you have the entire row of lashes in place.

You can turn the head around and do the opposite eyelid.

When you have finished, trim the lashes with small manicure scissors.

Use tweezers to pull out any stray hairs. Thin if needed.

Eyebrows "Rule Of Thumb"

When painting eyebrows it’s called "The Rule of Thumb" .

Put your thumb over the eye socket and draw a very light line or a few dots to use as a guideline for the actual painting.

Both eyebrows will end up being the correct shape using this technique.

I paint the eyebrows in at least 2 colors.

You can use a brush with few hairs or a toothpick works great.

Most newborns have faint eyebrows that darken as they age.

To Heat Set The Layers

Do your first baking as close to 265 degrees as you can.

Lay the pieces on a layer of quilt batting inside a baking pan.

Do not let the pieces touch each other.

Make sure you use a thermometer in the oven.

And a timer to remind you when the pieces are finished.

Bake for 8 minutes.

Let the pieces cool between painting the layers.

Mottled Newborn Baby Skin vs Peaches & Cream Smooth skin

I try not to over exaggerate the skin on my babies.

Most babies actually have beautiful skin.

Many of the skin problems they are born with are short lived.

Some last longer if the baby is premature.

I especially like peaches and cream skin. Using the same color palette I smooth and blend the paints with a soft sable brush.

This will give you a smooth skin finish.

There are many ways to create mottled baby skin and you will find one that works best as you experiment.

I use several different techniques to get a variety of skin textures.

One commonly used technique is achieved by using a small natural sea sponge with holes.

Thin a bit of crimson paint into the consistency of very thin watercolor.

Dip the sponge into the paint.

Dab off most of the excess paint before you begin applying it to the piece.

Use a tapping motion.

Continue to apply the paint to all the pieces.

Remove any excess paint with a sponge applicator if necessary.

Heat set the paints once you have finished this step.

2nd layer

I mix up a couple of tiny ceramic pots of different colored flesh tones, again very thin in consistency.

You can use your finger or an applicator for this process.

Dab the paint over the first layer.

Gently, and softly, using a sponge applicator, make this layer lighter if necessary and the edges less apparent.

Heat set.

3rd layer

Using the same technique as the 2nd layer, do it again with a mauve type color using Crimson and one of your Umber paints.

Once you like the look do a final heat set and let the pieces cool.

Textured Skin Application

Using a sponge makeup applicator dab on a mixture of

flesh tone with the thick medium. Don't use any type of thinner. Heat set again.

Scrub all the finished parts with soap, water and a soft brush to remove any powdery remnants.

No paint should come off with this washing.

If it does you have not properly set the paints.

Details and Blushing the Face

Look at real baby photos and add blushing, lip coloring, and any other details that are appropriate for the age baby you are creating.

Paint delicate eyebrows in the appropriate color to match the hair.

Manicure the nails using a mauve/earthy/peach tone, slightly lighter than the lip color.

Be sure to do a final heat set of your finished parts.

Basic Reborning Guidelines

Painting a Newborn Baby Using Genesis Paints

Magnetic Pacifiers & Bottles

Remove the nipple from the pacifier by cutting it off with an exacto knife.

Next, place some E6000 adhesive on a small Earth Magnet and attach it to the pacifier where the nipple was. You may have to carve out the hole so the magnet fits. Use an exacto knife for this. Be careful as you can get cut.

Allow to dry 24 hours.

Once the pacifier has dried, take a second magnet, and as you hold the pacifier on the mouth, drop it into the head and it will stick to the pacifiers magnet.

Put E6000 on a stick or old brush handle and cover the magnet inside the head.

Move the pacifier around without lifting it off the mouth, and it will apply glue to the vinyl on the inside at the same time.

Glue a piece of dark felt over the magnet inside the head.

Once everything is lined up again leave the pacifier in place until it dries completely for 24 hours.

Sweet Dreams Baby Nursery

The Original Art Of Reborning

Basic Tutorial For Genesis Heat Set Painting

Baby Designer & Artist

Joyce Moreno

Basics Of Reborning

Please note: These instructions are your basic Reborning guidelines painting with Genesis Paints. With practice you too will find the things that work best for you.

Art, by definition, is a skill attained by study, practice and observation, in an effort to imitate, supplement, alter or counteract the work of nature. Even though the same techniques and methods are used by others the results of each artist's work will always be different. The finished results will vary according to their level of skill, the years of dedicated time and practice they devote to their work, their observation of life, and their continued efforts to raise the standards and quality of their chosen venue in the art world.

Reborning and Newborning is an ever evolving art form and constantly being upgraded with new ideas and procedures. Realism is the key word, but the technical key remains in your painting skills.

These instructions are the methods that I use in my work. There are many other techniques being used in Reborning today. You should feel free to try out other procedures and decide what works best for you.

Good Luck and have fun!

Joyce & Her Babies

Genesis Heat Set Paints

Exterior skin wash for a Caucasian type newborn.

Make color adjustments as necessary for various skin colors and tones.

Remove all paint & glued on hair. Kits comes unpainted.

Wash with soap and water.

Dry and finish with an alcohol wash to make sure the skin is completely clean and oil free.

You are now prepared to begin paining.

Remove the eyes if you are upgrading them.

Complete the painting process before you begin to root the hair.

This will help prevent any unnecessary drying of the mohair.

Basic Genesis Paint Color Palette:

Ultramarine Blue

Titanium White

Quinacridone Crimson

Burnt Umber

Raw Umber

Genesis Red

Pyrrole Red

Yellow

Variety of Flesh tones, 06, 07, 08

Thinner or Mineral Spirits

You can add to your palette as you gain experience in mixing these paints.

Set up a clean work area.

Waffle cabinet sheeting that you would use in the kitchen cupboards is a nice surface to work on.

Cover the padding with a small clean towel.

Clean paper towels on top.

This will help protect the pieces from getting scratched.

Begin to paint:

I do not use inside washes of paint if I am using Genesis paints.

Feel free to try inside washes if you think it will help you with the end result.

Many paints, especially acrylic craft paints, have problems with bleeding through and discoloring the vinyl.

I prefer using the heat set paints so all the painting can be done on the outside.

Mix a dab of blue paint with a tiny dab of white, just to tone it down a bit.

Thin it to a very watery consistency with Mineral Spirits or Genesis thinning medium.

I begin by applying a very thin layer of this wash.

Use a make up sponge to dab it all over leaving behind a tiny bit of blotchiness.

The change in color will be slight, but it does make a difference as you proceed.

Heat set this layer.

Apply another thin blue layer to areas that are normally thinner on newborns such as the temples, around the eyes, etc.

Add veining at this time if you want them.

Use a tiny script brush to make the veins.

Use a a sponge to lighten them if necessary.

Keep the layers thin, as you can add more paint, but it's harder to take it away.

Heat set this layer.

Painting:

You can change the order of how you paint your dolls in anyway you think is better or easier for you.

There is no right or wrong way about adding particular layers. It's the final result that is most important.

Use this only as a basic guide in the beginning or until you feel more confident to begin experimenting with different techniques.

Study real baby photos and save pictures to look at while you work.

Add blushing, lip coloring, and any other details you want that will give you the most realism.

Paint delicate eyebrows in the appropriate color to match the hair.

Use a tiny script brush to paint individual eyebrows. Take your time.

Manicure the nails.

Be sure to do a final heat set on all your parts.

Removing and Inserting New Eyes

There are so many beautiful eyes available.

The type and color you use will depend on the age of the Reborn you are making.

There are beautiful eyes in every price range. Glass hand blown eyes coming in at $50 to $100 a pair. Flat back glass eyes are still reasonable and very nice in this work at $10 to $25. Always watch for specials and sales.

There are now many high quality realistic polymer and acrylic eyes that are beautiful and can be used in high quality work. So look around before you buy. These are normally under $10.

If you use acrylics or polymer eyes, make sure they can take heat up to 275 degrees like glass eyes can.

If you have flat back or no bulb on the back of the eyes, you may be able to heat the head in very HOT water and insert them through the front of the eye socket.

For bulb type eyes you will need to cut the back of the eye socket to insert the eyes.

Using an exacto knife, cut around the outer edge of the socket.

The best place to do this is by starting at the bottom of the socket, inside the head. Cut out the back portion so the eye bulb will fit.

I like to use an eye inserter to hold the eye for placement. It allows you to apply pressure as you inset it into the socket.

The eyes should have a nice snug fit.

Position the eyes so the pupils are even and the light hits them in the same place on both eyes.

Use a ruler to line up the pupils.

Apply glue all around the outer edge of the eye socket.

I use E6000.

Before After

Body and Tummy Plates can be added for even more realism especially for display or photographs.

Click to see Micro Rooting Samples