Paper Dolls Past

While I was cleaning up today, I found some old paper dolls that I thought would be fun to share with you. 

I made Gertrude when I was in kindergarten. As you can tell, I had no idea how to properly size clothes, so I'm sure that the outfit I made has no hope of fitting her (check out those minuscule red shoes!). I have no idea what the brown rectangles are - extra hair, perhaps? 

In addition to Gertrude, I made a brother, George. Again, his body is totally messed up (a few years later I tried to edit his feet and hands, which is why they look a little "off"), and I have no idea what's up with his hair. I like the addition of the gingerbread men, though, even though they also look really bizarre. 

The third doll I found was much more recent - I suspect from around 2010. I don't remember her name, so I used a random name generator to come up with Alice.

Alice was the first doll I made with removable hair - as you can see, the bangs and back can be switched out. Working with Alice today made me realize what a bad idea it was to make the hair separate instead of one piece (little pieces have a tendency to get lost and then reappear just as you've made the replacement). 

Alice's face is different too, particularly her nose. I was going for a more realistic look, but the end result, combined with her pupil-less eyes, is not as nice as I was hoping for.

                                           

Her body was not tape-laminated, and you can see how that has caused problems with her body. When I tried to remove her outfit, she almost tore.

                                   

Alice is wearing a retired AG hiking outfit (it wasn't retired when I made her, which makes me suspect that I made her around 2010) and a pink and green backpack. The outfit is all one piece, which is good for not losing pieces but eliminates mix and match potential.

     

Alice is about Quinn's size, but their faces and body shapes are completely different. Quinn's top does not fit Alice at all, and Quinn is drowning in Alice's outfit. Quinn's face looks more alert and friendly, while Alice's face looks blank and almost upset.

Conversely, Holly's swimsuit, which fits both Holly and the Blythes, is way too big on Alice. Alice's hiking outfit does not even come close to fitting Holly, so I didn't photograph it.

What Alice lacks in appearance, though, she makes up in accessories. I found this sheet with her, evidently planning to make her this set.

These are the accessories to Lanie's camper, rendered in the smallest scale I've ever made food. Alice herself may not be the greatest looking doll, but I really like these little items.

Another doll I found was this baby, also unnamed. She shares Alice's coloring, so perhaps I intended them to be siblings, though I can't place this doll in a time period. I'm sorry that this picture is so blurry, but it just shows to emphasize how small she is, that it is literally impossible to get a clear photo of her face.

                                       

According to the random name generator, her name is Ella. Ella's hair was once removable, but is now taped securely. She's tape laminated, though I don't know if I did it when I made her or later on. 

 I don't think that I'll include these in the weekly photo stories, but they give a nice perspective on how paper doll drawing styles change.

How have your paper doll drawing techniques changed over time?