TPE Skin Texturing

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Fri Sep 27, 2024 10:53 pm

Been trying to figure out how to simulate skin textures on cheaper TPE dolls. The skin is too smooth for my tastes so I find this technique important.
Another member on here had given me an idea when they misted alcohol on a heated TPE surface and the alcohol flashes off. I tried that but obviously did something wrong since it didn't work for me. I tried misting on lemon juice and vinegar and it seems to work.
From what I understand and did was heat the surface of the TPE with a heat gun to the glaze point and then sprayed on lemon juice or vinegar using a mister from an airline travel kit from the dollar store. Waited until the TPE cooled and wiped the liquids off. I think it imitates skin pores quite well.

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I think the vinegar did a better job but I could be wrong.

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:09 pm

Another experiment in texturing. I made a dauber from window screen, heated the TPE to the glaze point with a heat gun, then dabbed the screen on the cooling TPE. Texture can be changed while dabbing by doing slight twists and using varying pressure.

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Luftmeister · Post by **Luftmeister** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:15 pm

How does it feel? I'm not courageous enough to try this but I like the idea.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:27 pm

Fine grit Wet n Dry on a heated TPE surface was one of the first techniques and still is, in my opinion, the best

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:30 pm

Luftmeister wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:15 pm How does it feel? I'm not courageous enough to try this but I like the idea.

It doesn't really feel any different because the texture isn't that bumpy. Most of the texturing is visual.

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:35 pm

seagull wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:27 pm Fine grit Wet n Dry on a heated TPE surface was one of the first techniques and still is, in my opinion, the best

I experimented with these other ideas because the sandpaper idea didn't work well for me in the beginning but I've gotten better with it. I think all of these texturing ideas could be used on different parts of the body to create more realistic effects.

Luftmeister · Post by **Luftmeister** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:50 pm

AIMD wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:30 pm
It doesn't really feel any different because the texture isn't that bumpy. Most of the texturing is visual.

is that what you were looking for? More appearance than touch?

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 11:57 pm

Luftmeister wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:50 pm
AIMD wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:30 pm
It doesn't really feel any different because the texture isn't that bumpy. Most of the texturing is visual.
is that what you were looking for? More appearance than touch?

Pretty much. To create texturing like around knuckles or elbows requires much more drastic measures. The experiments posted here are for making smooth TPE dolls look a little more realistic.

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Tue Oct 01, 2024 4:32 pm

This time I used a toothbrush that has seen better days because I wanted the flattened bristles so there wouldn't be a regular pattern. Heated the TPE to the glaze point and tapped the bristle end onto the molten TPE (kind of like tapping a tuning fork) until the TPE cooled. At first some of the molten TPE pulled up I but kept tapping until it was all flattened again.
This turned out quite good although the camera doesn't show it well enough.
Oiling the toothbrush with baby oil is not necessary and this is a very easy technique. If you overdo it just reheat the TPE and redo or just reheat to slighty melt the existing pattern to smooth it a little.
Will experiment with texturing and shading at the same time.

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AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:18 pm

This is the technique used. I heated it twice to show it can be reworked in case a mistake happens. You just have to be careful not to overheat too much but that just takes practice.

: It's not scary; texturing.gif (72.82 MiB) Viewed 461 times

End result. Again, it looks much better in real life since the camera picks up too much shine.

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Just realized this is an easy way to make a TPE tongue

Luftmeister · Post by **Luftmeister** » Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:45 pm

AIMD wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:18 pm This is the technique used. I heated it twice to show it can be reworked in case a mistake happens. You just have to be careful not to overheat too much but that just takes practice.

End result. Again, it looks much better in real life since the camera picks up too much shine.

Just realized this is an easy way to make a TPE tongue

Was this just for learning/science or are you going to proceed on a doll? I'd be concerned about keeping it even and consistency over the whole body.

AIMD · Post by **AIMD** » Tue Oct 01, 2024 11:02 pm

Luftmeister wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:45 pm
AIMD wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:18 pm This is the technique used. I heated it twice to show it can be reworked in case a mistake happens. You just have to be careful not to overheat too much but that just takes practice.

End result. Again, it looks much better in real life since the camera picks up too much shine.

Just realized this is an easy way to make a TPE tongue
Was this just for learning/science or are you going to proceed on a doll? I'd be concerned about keeping it even and consistency over the whole body.

I have extra heads to practice on to see how it looks. Texturing an entire body is going to take some learning.