What Supplies Do You Need for Doll Repaints?

This article explains the different types of supplies you can use to repaint a doll. On the Dollcrafter Marketplace we sell most of the materials necessary for repainting a doll’s face and we even sell repaint kits with all the essentials.

Watercolor Colored Pencils

Watercolor colored pencils are the main ingredient that should be used in every doll repaint. In most repaints these pencils are used with a matte sealant to build up multiple layers of pigment where the sealant is applied before each layer of pencil. The watercolor colored pencils are not as bright if applied in a single layer without sealant, but they can still be used to add small details like freckles or eyeshadow without sealant. The pencils can also be used with water for a more “watercolor” look. A great way to add blush to a doll is to blend wet pigment from the pencils onto the face with a paint brush.

Pencil Sharpener

Despite the term being “doll repaint” most doll repaints actually consist of you drawing the dolls face on. This is why it is important for you to have a pencil sharpener so that you can make sure your watercolor colored pencils stay sharp. A sharper pencil makes it easier to add details like eyelashes, eyebrows, or even to draw the outline of the lips.

Matte Sealant

A good matte sealant is necessary for building up multiple layers of pigment when repainting a doll. The sealant should be applied before starting the repaint as it gives the face a slight texture that makes it easier for the pigment to stick to the face. Then the sealant can be applied after each layer of watercolor colored pencils or pastels to lock the pigment in.

Sealants come in a liquid form and can either be dabbed on with a makeup sponge or sprayed onto the face. You should make sure to apply your sealant evenly and let it completely dry in between each layer. If you use a makeup sponge to apply it you should tap the doll's face very lightly and quickly and try not to drag the sponge as that can accidentally cause the pigment to move across the face.

Makeup Sponges

Some customizers prefer to use a spray on sealant, but this is not always accessible for everyone as these sealants should not be inhaled and need to be sprayed outside or in a highly ventilated area. Another great option is to get a liquid sealant and dab it onto the doll's face with a makeup sponge. For doll repaints you should use disposable makeup sponge as the sealant will harden on the makeup sponge and make it unusable when you are done. For each layer you can use a different side of the makeup sponge to apply the sealant to get the maximum use out of it before you have to throw it away.

Nail Polish Remover

Nail Polish remover is necessary to remove a doll’s previous factory face paint before beginning a repaint. It works best if the nail polish remover you use is 100% acetone, and it works so well you can remove the doll’s whole face in one swipe. It can be applied with a paper towel, cotton ball, or a q-tip for more precise areas. This is one of the only items we do not sell on the Dollcrafter Marketplace as you may already have it at home and it is sold at most drug stores.

Chalk Pastels

Pastels are a great way to add blush or other light shading to a doll. Similar to watercolor colored pencils they are light when first applied, but a more intense shade can be built up by layering with sealant. Pastels come in a hard form and can be applied to a doll with a paint brush.

Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are what a lot of beginning doll customizers use first as they do not require a sealant to build color. Most times you only need to use one layer of each color on the doll’s face for the desired intensity. The problem is that acrylic paints are harder to control and can often come out looking lumpy. They are much better for adding extra pops of color as opposed to being used to paint the whole doll’s face.

For beginner’s we would recommend that you use watercolor colored pencils and a matte sealant over using acrylic paints. It may take longer as you have to build up more layers, but it is much easier to draw the doll's face using pencils instead of acrylic paint.

Paint Brushes

Paint brushes are used for many different things in repaints as mentioned above. They can be used to blend watered down pigment from a watercolor colored pencil onto a doll, they can be used to apply pastel pigment, and they can be used to apply acrylic paints. The key is choosing the right size brush for what you are applying. If you are blending blush onto a doll you can use a bigger brush, but if you are applying a small detail you will need to find a brush with a finer tip. On our marketplace we try to include a variety of brush sizes in our kits.

Gloss Varnish

Gloss varnish is sort of the opposite of a matte sealant. It seals whatever is underneath it while adding a glossy finish instead of a matte finish. You can use gloss varnish to add a final layer of sealant to a doll’s lips or eyes to give them a shiny look.

Gloss varnishes are smooth so they cannot be used to build layers of pigment like a matte sealant as the pigment will not stick to it. You should also not use a gloss varnish to seal the entirety of a doll’s face unless you want it to appear shiny.

Want to learn more?

You can read our article that covers all the basic steps of how to repaint a doll.