Tonner Melanie Repainted: The French Lieutenant's Woman
Showing posts with label doll repaints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doll repaints. Show all posts
An Attempt at Da Vinci, Rosetti and Botticelli
 |
| Woman drawing by Leonardo da Vinci |
 |
| Woman painting by Botticelli |
 |
| La Ghirlandata by Dante Gabriel Rosetti |
I was inspired by the paintings of La Gioconda by Da Vinci, the women paintings of Dante Gabriel Rosetti and La Primavera here. Noticing the crimped classical hair of the subjects of these artists, I sought out to do what could be a possible repaint.
I sectioned the hair carefully and braided these into tiny braids to capture a sculpted look that would
capture the light with the little waves. Each braid was tied with a thin thread in the end. Dipping the head into freshly-boiled water for 20 seconds, then leaving it to dry. After which loosening the braids which is easily done with a toothpick by starting from the ends of the braid.
Then came analyzing the paintings of Da Vinci and Rossetti. The subjects hardly had any make up on and there weren't any noticeable detail on eyelashes nor brows (I tried this doll with no brows on, and it didn't look well too me although it was as faithful to the classical subjects as possible). So why not add some brows-- thin ones and hardly discernible ones.
Here is a result of this project -- as what I call my little portrait attempts these days. I hope you like it and enjoy it as much as I did venturing into it.
Oscars Tribute to Vivien Leigh: Lady Olivier
 |
| image from couturearabesque.blospot.com |
The most anticipated event in entertainment happens tomorrow here at exactly 9:30 a.m. I cannot of course deny that one of my favorite actresses happens to be the main subject of this blog.
I repainted the "Travelling with Mother to Savannah". This is actually a repaint on a repaint -- now having better brushes -- and better eyeglasses.
It is also to forget the fact that I lost the Tonner Portrait doll I was ordering. Mislabeled package, courier not alerted to the arrival of the package are just a few of the reasons my US courier gave me. That paid with lots of savings on my account, I have nothing to gain and all lost.
But...I'll think about that tomorrow.
Meantime, I channelled all frustration on productivity. Saturday, having fixed all errands and having some chest pains from God knows what (definitely not the "large heart" the doctor says I have after an MRI), I decided to repaint using an older Vivien Leigh look as a peg.
It somehow helped. I did a little photoshoot of what Vivien Leigh may have looked entering the Oscars -- perhaps for "Streetcar Named Desire" -- wonder if she did go up the stage to receive that Oscar.
 |
Image from: http://henningsebastian.blogspot.com/
Vivien had only 2 Oscars in her film career. But those two were the most memorable performances in Hollywood history. One, the coveted role of Scarlett, and the other the fierce and fearless Blanche DuBois in "Streetcar Named Desire".
Many of her colleague actors say that "Streetcar" was probably one of the most dangerous roles she ever accepted -- as it was so close to home. As Blanche she played the fallen Southern Belle who loses all hold on reality ("I want magic...yes, yes, magic! I don't tell the truth. I tell what ought to be the truth" - Blanche). Opposite the fiery Arian, Marlon Brando only a the fire and talent of a fiery Scorpio could survive: Vivien Leigh. Till today, I have seen several versions of Streetcar Named Desire and no Blanche has come close to the tension and fragile disposition that Vivien displayed on screen. She was on the verge of breakdown (in reel and real life). And of course, we all know that there could never ever be another Scarlett.
So here finally are the what I purposely tried to do: magical portraits of dearest Vivien -- who need not be so talented because she was so beautiful, and need not be too beautiful because she was so talented (a favorite line from Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond). The gown is by Alana Bennett (an adaptation of a gown worn in Scarlett the Sequel to GWTW TV Series). Pearls are from a Franklin Mint Gibson girl dress.
Tonner Scarlett wearing Franklin Mint's "Final Farewell"
There are times when a collector just has to get another doll outfit no matter what the cost. You can call it yielding to ones' inner craziness. I am one of them. When Franklin Mint released their new Final Farewell dress, another version, another interpretation worn by Scarlett in the final sequence of Gone with the Wind, I was hesitant. Thought about it once, twice. There are times when fate leads you to have what you want. So when one member of the FranklinMintScarlettOHaraVinylDoll Group offered it to me (as she only wanted the doll), I couldn't resist.
For one I knew the Franklin Mint Scarlett creations were consistently of top quality. I also knew that the dress would have a different interpretation. I was not wrong. While this would perfectly fit the FM Scarlett done for this version (which has a splendid updo), it is picture perfect on the Tonner Scarlett. Snug and tight bodice, and just the right amount of length for the doll too -- enough to let those Tonner boots peep -- and as such, I felt, close to the length we see on film.
First the jewelry is done with great attention to detail. The cameo/brooch that comes with the dress is so much in scale. When one zooms in, you would think that it is an actual brooch. The mold, the relief, depth and design is amazing!! The feel is almost metallic and it seems to have some substantial weight of that too. You just have to look at this photo (below) to see and believe.
 |
| That amazing jewelry! Franklin Mint is never outdone with its accessories. |
 |
| Tonner's elegant interpretation of the final dress worn by Scarlett O' Hara in Gone with the Wind. |
 |
| The dress recreated (from gwtw4ever.com) |
 |
| Franklin Mint's interpretation of the skirt. The bustle is accented with a large black velvet ribbon which drapes well. It comes with a "bustle pad" to lift the bustle. |
 |
| This is the recreated dress' back portion. www.gwtw4ever.com |
 |
| Image from gwtw4ever.com |
Franklin Mint's version has none of the trapunto detail. The sleeves simulate that look with a ruffled attachment to the sleeves. The bustle of this version however simulates the actual dress.
|
| Image from gwtw4ever.com |
 |
| Image from gwtw43ver.com |
 |
| The Franklin Mint Dress as worn by a repainted Tonner Scarlett. Notice how it falls and scroll up to look at the actual recreated dress. |
 |
| Here she is. Mrs. Butler posing with her new elegant bustle dress. |
And so, perhaps you'll understand how one can't just say farewell to Franklin Mint's Final Farewell. As another interpretation of the last dress worn in GWTW (at least the one we visually see), it does have its merits. The draping of the velvet is beautiful and in scale. I have to stress this as one of the best ways to judge a doll outfit. And here for her final portraits, Franklin Mint's Final Farewell as worn by a repainted Tonner Scarlett (hairstyle and face paint has been recreated to capture the "final farewell" look). Both Franklin Mint and Tonner win in this creation.
Tonner Hal Jordan and Tonner Antoinette: "The Messenger" Portrait
 |
| Faux Romance Novel cover featuring Tonner Hal Jordan and Tonner Antoinette. Both are repaints. Hal Jordan body has been blushed. Tonner Antoinette hairline has been repainted to create a seamless look. On Tonner Antoinette: Franklin Mint's Josephine underpinnings. |
Romance Portrait: Tonner Edward and Tonner Antoinette
 |
| Tonner Edward Cullen romances Tonner Tonner Antoinette. A portrait inspired by Romance novels |
Tonner Receiving Guests with Melanie: "Dramatic Entrance" Portrait
"How could he resist?": Photoshoot with Tonner Scarlett O' Hara doll
How could Ashley resist kissing her? Here are photos from a Saturday afternoon shoot with Tonner Scarlett O' Hara wearing the beautiful Franklin Mint's "Christmas with Ashley" dress. For me this is one of the most beautiful dresses made for this doll.
I forgot to mention that this doll was sold to me by a friend from the US who got it in a garage sale. It seemed to have been played with extensively and was in dire need of T.L.C. The vinyl was not very clean and the hair disheveled. Well, a good bath, and a repaint plus good conditioner on the hair rescued this Scarlett. Now she's ready to entice Ashley again. Tsk, tsk bad girl!
Re-doing Tonner's Scarlett O' Hara: What factory paint can do
BEFORE
Existing Factory Paint on Tonner's Scarlett
AFTER
With changes on factory paint (and hairstyle, thinner nose) via photoshop
Much has been said about how it has been painted (pertaining factory paint): Caricaturish, nose too big, lips too thin, widow's peak too sharp.
I've tried an amateur hand in repainting, and this much I can say, Tonner's Scarlett can be improved "if only" the factory paint was right. So, they can't have a Noel Cruz dollface for it. Accepted. But it proves only one thing, the right paint can give you the "intended likeness" the collector is looking for. It would be too much to ask for a Noel Cruz or a Jacs or a Laurie Leigh face on a doll that numbers in thousands or hundreds. What if Tonner did it right -- just with the factory paint?
This photo is from "Jim" in a message in Prego dolls (Thank you Jim! I hope you don't mind.) He photographed his drapery costume very well!
I did a little photoshop on his photo "what could have been" if that happened. Manipulating only the factory paint on the eyes and lips -- and okay, the nose, here is probably what the doll could have looked like if the factory paint was better -- at least in my eyes, and in my opinion.
What are the changes:
The Eyes
I pulled the eyes towards the tear ducts to sharpen it a bit.
Lower portions of the eyes facing the nose have been pushed up and the eyelashes there erased leaving lashes only towards the ends of the lower part of the eyes
to give it a much needed slant.
Eyelashes have been extended specially at the ends of both eyes
for an added upward slant.
Eyelids have been extended and shortened.
Eyebrows have been extended on the "higher arch" and lowered on the right eye.
The Lips
The lips have been lessened on both ends to give her a pout
(after all, she didn't get the $300 from Rhett)
The upper lip has been given a little lift to have a heart-shaped center
to make give her a stronger Scarlett pout.
Link to Jim's actual photo:
http://members5.boardhost.com/prego/msg/archive/1235604077.html
Link to Prego Dolls:
http://members5.boardhost.com/prego/