When I was doing my research on various doll histories and papier mache dolls in particular I had the opportunity to review a book entitled "Dollmaking With Papier Mache and Paper Clay by Doris Rockwell Gottilly" that I had bought years ago.
Dollmaking With Papier-Mâché and Paper Clay by Doris Rockwell Gottilly has complete instructions and patterns for making more than 20 figures.
According to her bio: Doris Rockwell Gottilly is a multi-media artist who specializes in sculptures depicting a wide range of characters using history and folk tales as inspiration.
This book is a useful for anyone who wants to learn how to create dolls or sculptures using papier-mâché or paper clay, both of which are inexpensive and air dry. It is filled with tutorials, step-by-step instructions, and tips for sculpting in general and for creating 20 figures out of papier-mâché or paper clay.
In her step-by-step method you first learn what papier-mâché and paper clay are, as well as learning how to prepare it, dry it, and sand it. From there you learn how to make a doll armature, how to add and sand facial features, how to make the arms and legs, and how to add hair. Then you learn how to construct the cloth body and make your doll's accessories.
Tips are provided for paper claying over an existing object, using a plaster mold and turning the dolls into sculptures.
She provides instructions for making 20 different dolls or characters. Included in this grouping is a 22" fashion doll, a 12" baby doll, a 12" child, 2two 12" best friend dolls, a 12" young prince doll, a 15" Alice doll, two 17" 19th century dolls (which I absolutely love), and a 17" English doll. There is also detailed instructions and pictures for making a 17" China doll, a 17" Queen Elizabeth doll (which I love), three Beauty & The Beast dolls, a 15" old lady doll, a 22" Milliner's Models type doll (which I absolutely love), a 20" vendor doll, a 20" harlequin doll, a 20" court jester, a 24" Pulcinella, a 20" old Chris, a billy goat, and a 26" rabbit.
This book provides useful tips and detailed instructions for sculpting. The tips for painting the faces and sewing the cloth bodies and clothes is general in nature and would require a more experienced painter or sewer to finish the projects.
There is an inspiration gallery of some of her dolls as well as some supplies source suggestions.
I just love the two 19th century dolls on Page 54, the Queen Elizabeth 1 on Page 62, and the Milliners Models Adelaide on Page 75. I am definitely going to try making all of them when I get a chance.
Hi Linda, I am Doris Rockwell Gottillys daughter. I loved reading your review on my Mother's book. She was an extremely talented sculptor, painter, seamstress, dollmaker, singer, storyteller, and upholsterer...she literally did it all. I miss herterribly 💗
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda. I am so happy you liked my review of your mother's book. She was an exceptional artist and her book is an inspiration for so many doll makers wanting to venture into paper-clay and paper mache doll making. I haven't had a chance to make the Queen Elizabeth Doll or Millners Models Adelaide yet but I will. Thanks so much for commenting.
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