FINDING YOUR OWN STYLE	MALE FORMAL	MALE HAIR	METALLIC TRIM
	PATTERN MAKING	HOLDING A CONTEST

(All bases on this page by Wayuki)

When I started dolling, my anxiety about the dolling process was fairly high. I couldn't (and still can't) draw to save my life. I wanted to be as good as the dollers I admired, but not exactly like them. I didn't know where to begin, so I took the approach I normally take when learning new things. Simply put: I fill my head with information, drain it, then make something with the little crusty bits that stick. :) This method may not work for everyone, but it certainly can't hurt to try!

Fill your head

a) Study, study, study! Read as many tutorials as you can. There are tons out there. Many can be found at various dolling forums, and there's also a good doll tutorial search engine at Xandorra's Place. Concentrate on the basics, and then move into areas you feel you have difficulties with.

Save the links to the tutorials you find most useful. Make brief notes if you have to.

b) In addition to tutorials, find dolls you really like and study them up close. Study as many different dolls by as many different dollers as you can. If you like how one doller creates a specific item (hair, shoes, dress patterns), then take note of how they outline and shade that specific item.

c) Another great resource is a dolling forum. There are hundreds of them out there on the net. In a forum you can get up close and personal with great dollers and view new dolls made by a wide variety of people. Even better, you can ask questions and explore the resources (links, tutorials and tips) each forum has to offer.

Remember to save and study, save and study.

Emptying

Now take every tutorial you've read and every doll you've saved for study and delete them. For good (empty your Recycling Bin!). Walk away from your computer and don't think about dolling for a few days.

Building

Start making dolls. There will be remnants of studies in your head, but you can't remember everything, so use your own brainpower to fill in the blanks. You're going to pinball between frustration and dissatisfaction at first, but don't give up. Choose subjects that will inspire you or give you lots of ideas. For example:

- a character from your favourite movie, TV show, band, book
- yourself in your favourite outfits
- your friends
- an RPG character you play

If you're stuck for ideas or direction, then try dolling a gift for your favourite doller. Contests are another great resource. There's a lot of them out there, and most have creative themes that will strike an inspirational chord.

Repetition

Some people are born with wild talents. The rest of us just have to practice, practice, practice! It took me about two years to get to the point where I was happy with my dolls, although it must be said that there were some pleasant surprises along the way. With practice comes refinement, improvement and finding new and faster methods.

So what are you waiting for? Get going and good luck! :)

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