MannequinFan wrote:Hi Taylr!
Thanks, it's great to hear from someone with a lot of experience actually working on mannequins! Any and all suggestions that you can give would be of great help for these modifications. I'm just starting the mods for my mannequin and I'm trying to make her as realistic and anatomically correct as possible. Eventually I will hope to give her tan lines, enhance the nipples and perhaps give her glass eyes. Any suggestions you can give for painting, glass eye work and materials/methods used for resurfacing or modifying the form (i.e. epoxy putty) would be greatly appreciated.
There's also a thread here discussing the type of foam to use inside as a filler:
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=40153
Do you have any experience with this you could share?
Thanks again,
MF
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Sorry for the delayed response. I've been rather busy with a multitude of things.
First, I should say that I do not work with the imports, such as the Loutoffs that several members have purchased, so adding ballast or strengthening is not something I do. For me, they are too fragile and not as nicely done as the Rootsteins, Hindsgauls, New John Nissens and such. It is a preference, however, not a judgement.
As for using Bondo or fiberglas sheets with resin, I opt for the former for filling and the latter for areas that require strength, such as joining a leg to a torso. I also use Bondo for sculpting, when it does not require a heavy build-up of material. I should add that I do not use my mannequins for 'nocturnal activities,' so I do not have the concern for their ability to hold up under pressure.
As for glass eyes, I am rather new at this and am working through the process, although I will say that it is not as difficult as it would seem. HOWEVER, and I emphasize this for a reason, if I wanted perfection I would send off the upper torso to a guy in New York. He does spectacular work, but he does not work on plastic mannequins or imports. He also has the best source for glass eyes I've ever seen. If you are interested in his contact information, let me know. I won't post his info in a public forum.
As for nipples, the best ones I have found are in the UK, at this link:
http://softcaresilicone.org/index.php?p ... =1&lang=en
They are not always in stock, but they are the most realistic. I am waiting for them to get some of the colours I want, before I order.
You can also get real eyebrows and such from a site in the USA, although the site is for medical needs. I would not mention that the parts are for mannequins, if you order from them. They didn't seem to be open to that idea, when I contacted them a while back.
http://www.headcovers.com/cosmetics/eyebrows/
Hope this all helps.
Taylr