Character Development: Anarchéa (Minifee Karsh)

This post is going to be a little log on the development of my latest BJD's character.

Anarchéa (Ann-Ar-Kee-Ah) was someone I didn't originally plan on bringing into doll form, just because I was so torn as to what sculpt she could be. I was primarily thinking she'd be either an Eliya or a girl Karsh. Eventually when I had the funds to get a minifee, Karsh was there on the marketplace and at a really great price so I thought, it must be fate.

She's on the a-line minifee body with the small bust and the model legs. Which is not what I originally wanted but found out is actually perfect for her. Since Anarchéa belongs to a tribe of people that live where it is very cold and the conditions are rough, she has more of an athletic build in contrast to some of my other girls. Because she deals with climbing snowy slopes and collecting thick, heavy logs of firewood every day she should have more of a boyish posture. The model legs accentuate this as they're  straight and the minifee's stance is a bit more towards the masculine side on them.

So much for body rambling.
Anarchéa's personality is like her environment; quiet, eerie, seemingly harsh and always looming. I imagine her to be suspicious, not immediately warming up to strangers. But once she opens up she reveals a great deal of kindness and honest loyalty to whoever lucky enough to call themselves her friend. And there is definitely spunk, lots of it.
You know what they say, still waters are usually deep.

As for plans on the look of the doll, her faceup is the only thing done right now. I have two pairs of eyes on order for her. Yes, two. One pair from Mako, and another pair I found on etsy for a good price, just regular glass eyes but with a low dome which is a must for me.

I will commission a wig for her, I have a certain style I want and I'm pretty sure the person I have in mind will be able to capture it. Clothes are still in the air, I know she needs something warm so I'll have to see if I can find the time to make her something.

I hope you enjoyed this little post on Anarchéa (or just "Kia" if you like), I might do another one to show the progress or make other separate ones for my other characters.

Commissions will open January 17th

Grand opening of my faceup shop/commission services, Shiny Pawprint Aesthetics.

Six slots available. All information is on the blog.

New Year's BJD Resolution and Plans for 2015

The New Year is upon us and like every year we find ourselves contemplating plans and goals.
For me, 2014 was a busy and exciting doll year in which I accomplished a lot. Especially in the field of faceups did I truly excel and start to find my own unique style.

Same goes for photography, I took so many pictures last year and the quality of the images just improved with every shoot. Yup, much was done.

Now that 2014 is wrapped up I feel ready and prepared for what is to come in 2015, and I've laid out a game-plan so I don't get lost and forget what I actually wanted to achieve.




BJD Game-Plan for 2015:

1) Continue to improve my faceup skills in every way. Become more proficient with the airbrush, draw even finer lines, take the doll beyond the limitations of the sculpt. And take better pictures of the heads in the process.

2) Take photos in more extravagant locations, try to go outside more often even with my SD-sized dolls (now that's going to be a tough one!). Get a doll stand and take some awesome outdoor pictures.

3) Sew. I've already acquired a basic skill set, now I just have to focus it on doll clothing. Producing patterns, creating outfits. All my dolls should have a decent wardrobe!

4) Develop my characters' storyline further, take it out of the 'planning' phase and into the 'writing' phase.

5) Two new dolls this year. Which ones is to be determined.

Finally, my New Year's resolution: keep calm. Stay cool, take it easy.

I spent so much mental effort in 2014 with just planning. Pure planning, theoretical, hypothetical. It was all very draining and psychologically exhausting. I don't want to do that in 2015. I want to spare myself the hours and rather use them elsewhere more wisely. Plus, if you plan too much there is no more room for spontaneous decisions, which could just turn out to be the best you've ever made.

So no more sitting in front of the computer and racking my brains with what I could do. Rather let the plan of action come to me.

I hope you all had a great fresh start
and may all your new ideas spring into fruition this coming year.