Wednesday 20 April 2016

Paper Dolls

GUYS GUYS GUYS I DID A THING.

I MADE PROPER PAPER DOLLS.

Sheesh, I've not done an art post in ages. If you're new around here, you may not realise that this is an art blog as well as a book and writing one. If we're getting nostalgic here, I actually used to have a weekly feature called Art Tuesday, if you can believe it. (I also used to post every day. Cue vomiting. Ah, well, it was a simpler time.)

Anyway, back to the far more interesting topic of proper paper dolls.

Honestly, I think my career as an artist has peaked here.

Meet the dolls. This is the first and last picture of women in underwear you're going to see on this blog ... unless I decide to make more dolls in the future. WHICH IS LIKELY.

I'm not exactly saying I personally want tattoo sleeves, but ...
A close-up of the tats. Please notice: the Deathly Hallows; the Libs (Cat's favourite band); the Smiths song lyric. That was slightly self-indulgent on my part. You know how much I love the Smiths, and I Know It's Over is the song of my soul. But this present was made mostly for my own enjoyment, so ... (I'm kidding. Well, largely.)

That green dress was the first one I made. I think it is pretty glam and I would like to own it. Another fun fact for you: before Art Tuesday it was Fashion Tuesday, in which I shared fashion illustrations. That is looking quite far back in this blog's history. I stopped doing fashion illustrations a couple of years ago, but I do enjoy drawing clothes. 

Her favourite illustrator is called David Shrigley, and the jumper is a copy of one of his works (see the original here).
We had a bit of a bra sitch on the right there, wherein I didn't check how high the top needed to be to cover the bra, just gaily drew it and cut it out and then thought: oh.
But we've all been there in real life, haven't we?
 
If you like Kate Moss and/or Pete Doherty you may get this T-shirt. Also, please appreciate the mom jeans.
The colour palette of the dress did not go to plan (ie, it went crazy), but these things happen and we must accept them.

A shoe close-up. I really want some brogues. Kindly notice the fish/whale pattern on the espadrilles.

I JUST WANT A RED CORSET AND A RUFFLE SKIRT, IS THAT TOO MUCH?
Well, and some yellow Docs, but most of all THAT T-SHIRT!!! I did not originate the slogan; it came from a T-shirt on Redbubble. Said T-shirt was quite ugly, though; my aesthetic is better. (Humble aren't I?) But, yeah, if you'd like to manufacture a T-shirt with those words in a nice design and send it to me, that'd be appreciated greatly.
I really really do want Docs. Really a lot.

I presented them all in a book with adorable mini hangers. The shoes, if you're interested, have Velcro on the back of them, to attach to the dolls' feet. The clothes themselves have tags that go through slits on the dolls' shoulders.

Two things are true: that writing is my passion and my art form, and that I complain a bit about having to draw for school (I study Art this year). But there is a third thing, which is that I really really love creating visual art. I think I'm a bit tired of making it for examinations, making it to be marked, but drawing is a very real joy for me. I am going to start art journalling in the summer and I look forward to sharing it with you guys. Here's to many more happy hours making paper dolls! (And which outfit is your favourite?)

28 comments:

  1. Okay, that feminism T-shirt. I want one. Your version preferably.

    This is so cool! I used to have a couple different paper dolls when I was younger. I think I had a, paper dog also? Anyhow, they were definitely not as stylish as these two! I rather like the girl with the blue hair. Oh, and I remember your art posts! I miss them.

    You keep using words like "brogues" and "Docs." Emily, you are speaking a foreign language to me. I know nothing of clothes or shoes or fashion of any form. *headdesk* But I do know what Converse is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want it too?! You should start manufacturing them.

      Scrap the writing, I want to be a paper doll maker! But oh my gosh, I should have made them a dog XD You should dye your hair blue. And I kinda miss them too. But I will art journal and post about in the summer, promises.

      Ashley! You must look these things up! Docs would be right up your street. Get on Pinterest sharpish!

      Delete
    2. "You should dye your hair blue," Emily says like that is nothing at all and does not require one to douse their hair in bleach first.

      Bleach is scary. Don't tempt me.

      But I will pinterest docs. Because pinterest is the new Google.

      *returns*

      YES! I think I do need some of these. One day. Soonish.

      I will definitely be looking forward to your art journal posts!

      Delete
    3. Ah yes, that is the thing about fun colours. Bleach. BUT WHO CARES?! IT'S HAIR! ~runs through the forest with gay abandon~

      Right?! They're the best thing ever. I want a yellow pair, as demonstrated by the doll. Or a floral pair. Or both. Hahhahaha--

      Delete
  2. I NEED THAT FEMINISM T-SHIRT IN MY LIFE.

    I've never actually done the paper dolls thing before. I dunno. *shrugs* Anyways, these are pretty amazing. And I really really like that multi-coloured dress for the girl with the blue hair. (Also, blue hair. I approve.) How big were the dolls?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AS DO I.

      Do you?! That makes one of us XD But I'm glad you like them, Victoria. Emm, in height they're slightly smaller than A6, I think. (So the book in the last picture with the outfit on the hanger, that's an A6 book. Or at least I think it is! It could've been A5. I, uh, can't actually, uh, remember ...)

      Delete
  3. Such cuteness!! Oh how traditional and fun - and I love your sense of style! And it's good to hear you had a lovely time in Singapore :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you liked them, thanks! And yes, I diiiid <333

      Delete
  4. Wow, these are fantastic! You're a really good artist! I agree with Victoria, too, that feminist t-shirt is amazing. *offers a huge round of one-person applause*

    By the way, thanks for following Sometimes I'm a Story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Heather! ~dances in applause~

      You're welcome! :D

      Delete
  5. Books AND art! I'm glad to have found this blog.
    I especially like the deep ruffles of the blue skirt, and the detailed sheen and wrinkle of the grey boots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you have, too! I really like that skirt. I wish it were mine.

      Delete
  6. These are awesome! I remember having some paper dolls as a kid. Good times, good times. XD LOVE that corset and ruffle skirt combo. I didn't even know I needed an outfit like that but now I do. All their outfits look amazing! And those little hangers, so cute. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like them! I miss paper dolls (hence my extreme excitement here!). I really want that outfit ~gazes sadly into the distance~

      Delete
  7. THESE ARE SO VERY CUTE AND OMG YOU CAN DRAW AND ARE TALENTED, YOU LUCKY THING. I love the tattoo sleeve. XD I mean, I am terrified of tattoos? (Pain = don't love it.) But it looks really awesome, hehe, aND THE FISH SHOES ARE SO CUTE.
    (Also yay for being back from your trip!! Hope it was a good holiday. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANKS CAIT! BUT PAIN IS BEAUTY. Lol obviously I don't mean that, buuut for a permanent work of art ON YOUR BODY I think a certain amount of pain can be endured.

      Delete
  8. Aw these are cute! I like a good number of the outfits! It seems you had a great time making them. ^ ^ I did some artsing this month by drawing one of my book characters. :)

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I LOVE THEM!

    Why don't I still play with paper dolls?? What am I even doing with my life?

    I am LOVING the green dress - it looks very classical-grecian to me. Also the blue skirt, 'tis like waves cascading over the beach!

    And may I take the opportunity to say - Heir of Fire will BREAK YOU *sobs quietly in corner*.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANKS FAM! Same, man, same. And I like those two too!

      HA! HA! HA! WE SAW HOW THAT ENDED DIDN'T WE? ~cries into The Raven King~

      Delete
  10. These are so cute, love all the different outfits.

    ReplyDelete
  11. These are so cute! The green dress is the best. Like everybody else I need that feminist t-shirt as soon as possible! By the way, I saw someone the other day with a Deathly Hallows tattoo just above the elbow on their left arm. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love that dress, and ardently desire that T-shirt. And ooh that sounds so cool! I love seeing people with HP T-shirts/tattoos/jewellery/whatever. I always want to discuss it with them XD

      Delete
    2. I know! :) The person they were with was wearing a Death Eater t-shirt. I believe I was actually wearing a t-shirt featuring a Dumbledore quote from the PoA movie.

      Delete
    3. That's amazing! What's the quote?

      Delete
  12. THIS IS SO FUN!!!! I played with paper dolls as a kid so this post was nostalgia city for me. You're so gifted with fashion drawing! I would totally wear those clothes.

    Also, the quote about HP and feminism made me laugh. Thanks for sharing that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU! I'm so glad you enjoyed. And I love that quote so much. I think you're only the second person to have mentioned the HP connection?? I was starting to wonder if people weren't getting that it was a reference XD

      Delete

Thanks for commenting! :)