How to restore and paint old composition 1915 Electra Boy doll

[@MariaReyes-jc4mz]

Beautiful work you are truly an Artist!!!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Maria Reyes thank you

[@wandaperez9762]

You are amazing God bless your hands and all your talent

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Wanda Perez thank you❤️

[@siwarvidsson9705]

You made the dolls almost alive!!!....Love you showing the work made them!!!Greeting from Sweden!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Siw Arvidsson thank you so much for watching!

[@lindanoreika176]

Thank you so much. I so admire your work. Those dolls are absolutely gorgeous! I watch your videos over and over. I wish I could make over compos like you. I am trying though. You're an inspiration. God bless you and your talent.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

😊 thank you so much

[@mythreesons8084]

Beautiful. I'm just starting to restore dolls. I love your work!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Sheryl Edwards Culver thank you. I hope you enjoy restoration, it’s a lot of work but very rewarding 😊

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Those classic doll browses are great . Reminds me of the 50's Cissy Brows.

[@trishpoppins5148]

You did a great job.xxx

[@lawandajohns9819]

Your work is absolutely beautiful! You make it look so easy!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

LaWanda Johns thank you

[@babybuntingnursery2598]

Your videos are better than my words can say. I don’t often comment, because my comments would generally all be the same! Your talent is outstanding. The relaxed and flowing way you paint is heavenly to watch and learn from. I’m a very ‘neat’ and precise type of artist, but when I manage to let go, I love the results. I often watch your videos over and over again, and marvel at your free flowing movements. Thank you so much for letting us watch you work. I think your talent is boundless. xx

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Oh my goodness Baby Bunting Nursery, that is the sweetest comment I have ever gotten, thank you so much for your kind words. I just took a look at one of your youtube and they are so fun. I just love the old doll things and anything with vintage painted babies. I for sure will be watching more. Your voice it beautiful to listen too. Thank you for watching my videos and for all your kind compliments, you just made my day!

[@petitearmoire]

PLEASE give us a new composition doll video!! I love your work - I'm trying to restore a doll because of your videos. Deb in Ohio

[@Thejadegoat]

Really nice job 🥰

[@dfri9779]

I just love watching you paint. It inspires me to give it a try I wold love to restore old dolls. Can't wait to see you next videos.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much d Fri. I really do enjoy restoring old doll just as much as I do reborning. Yes, you should give it a try someday.

[@mariemayhew5627]

Fabulous work! i would love one of these.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you 😊

[@CoachAndrewV]

LOVE these Elektra dolls! You do such a beautiful job on them! I would love to see more videos on restoring these guys!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much for watching. I have about 20 bigger carnival type dolls I am going to start restoration on. I usualy do them all at once so it might take me a while, but plan to do a youtube of all the steps.

[@annalynncabinbabiesnursery9984]

Wow amazing, just love your work🦋

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Diana Smith thank you!

[@lorendevlin5179]

i love your work sorry i haven't been on much, i moved states and taking care of my 80 year old mom i hope to get caught up God bless keep doing what you do. i haven't been able to do anything yet with the babies but its my passion you inspire me so much.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Hi Loren, thank you so much and don't worry, you will have time again. I understand what you are going through. Both my parents are in their 80's and needing more and more help each day. I want to enjoy every minute with them that I can, but sometimes it is hard when I know there is so much to do at my own house. Moving close to your mother is a big change and such a loving thing to do. Sounds like you have been very busy. Hang in there and Enjoy your momma, you will have time later for the dolls. God Bless!

[@lorendevlin5179]

LaDonna Briggs Your Amazing, thank you for understanding...

[@lindad1195]

They look so beautiful when you get done with them!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you Linda

[@conniegarcia5013]

Beautiful work!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you Connie.

[@thomasplouffe1363]

I remember finding a few baby ones in my aunts house when I was really young, it’s paint was peeling and at the time I had a severe case of eczema and my skin was always peeling so I thought the baby doll was like me and carried it to the living room, she instantly took it away from me lol I wasn’t even four years old yet so she was worried I would break it. She got it restored btw

[@brianasarmiento3425]

I'm obsessed with your videos! Will you post a complete reborning painting video? Your dolls are amazing

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much Briana, I appreciate you watching. I do plan to make more video's of me painting. I have another hair painting video soon to come, but will plan on making one showing skin layers in the future.

[@Amandahugginkizz]

I wish you would make more videos I just love them and you have inspired me to make a fb group for donating reborns to childrens hospitals and nursing homes

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Kayla Austin I do plan to make more KZbins in the future, thank you for watching and thank you for donating reborn to those in need.

[@janastuller1310]

First video of yours I saw, wow! I'm a fan for life!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you Jana, I am planning on putting together more composition youtubes. I am getting ready to restore about 10.

[@lin8148]

I have one of your dolls and she is gorgeous!!!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Linda Lulu thank you

[@suzannebeinart4359]

Your reprints are much better than the originals, with such charm! Do you use a fixative or Clear matte coat on your work

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you😊 yes, I use a Matt varnish

[@cricketshinez8898]

Wow!! love your work*

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

cricket shinez thank you 😊

[@larrywakeman4371]

I am a fine artist-portraits, etc... you should put a drop of Prussian blue in the brown wash to THINLY paint over the whites of the eyes; the white's of people's eyes have that blue-gray tinge, not just brown. Just brown might make is look jaundiced. Nice work! Kimberly

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you Kimberly, I love getting feedback that will help me improve. I will give it try and see what I think!

[@larrywakeman4371]

Good morning Ladonna :) I really enjoyed your HUGE talents painting these compo heads; it can be very challenging to do, especially how smoothly you hand painted the skin color- BRAVO! :) Yes, I would try just a TOUCH of Prussian blue- basically all Prussian blue tones are similar from brand to brand, so I am sure you can find it in the brand you use. Your work is beautiful, and I was wondering, for the base skin tones you paint on, do you use MIMIK brushes? They are fine art brushes that are ANIMAL CRUELTY FREE, as they are acrylic, but the mimic Kolinsky sable hair- they are WONDERFUL and don't leave brush lines in paintings! IF that isn't what you sue, what do you use? Have a great day, Kim!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Hi Kim, it has been about 2 years since I painted the composition dolls, I am a reborn artist now and have put the comp dolls on hold for a while but am planning to start a few more this year. I used a cheap brush, not for sure the brand, to put on the first layer of paint, the 1 shot paint is very forgiving and seems to dry without brush marks, but I have a hard time finding brushes that I love so will look into these. Thank you so much.

[@larrywakeman4371]

Hi Ladonna- GO TO JERRY'S ARTARAMA website, and look up MIMIK paint brushes. Another good animal free synthetic brush is BLACK SWAN which is as soft as swan's down but is entirely synthetic! You will love them! The reborns look difficult to paint to accomplish realism! Your work is outstanding! Kim :)

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much Kim, I will take a look.

[@belladonna70]

excellent art

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lindad1195]

He looks beautiful now!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Linda Deskins thank you

[@nearandfarreborndolls7493]

Hi, Ladonna! I have always loved your dolls! I have a composition dolls that has hair (not a wig) whose paint is peeling off. In researching this doll, I have found that the peeling paint is common for this doll. My question is how do I strip the paint when she has hair?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Near and Far Reborn Dolls you will need to remove the wig. It can be glued back later.😊

[@Samantha1970]

I have a wooden doll from the 40’s it’s like a mannequin sewing doll- the problem is that her paint is flaking off , and is there a spray clear coat to spray her with just to seal her so the paint stops flaking off? It’s very dry where I am living and high altitude. She looks great but I can’t touch her or paint flakes just come off! thanks in advance!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Samantha Anastasiou I’m not for sure about this. It’s hard to stop after the damage is done. Varnish can discolor in time but if you seal with a clear coat it might help.

[@avintagedollintime9134]

I love it

[@lindanoreika176]

I'm sorry, just one more question. Does the face paint look flat, satin or semigloss? I'm having such a hard time getting the right color and sheen. Thanks!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I try to get it satin

[@cindykarol3053]

Wow you are so good

[@buckiannscreations9089]

I love your vids..so helpful and inspiring...Ive reborned since 2003, repaints since 2018(Monster High, Barbie etc) but now i would love to restore old dolls..Where do you find so many? Ive never even seen dolls that old before, in person.. Ive gotta start researching..Thanks

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

PattyAnn I purchase on ebay😊

[@cathyfranklin7894]

where do you find your dolls,your work is awesome

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

cathy franklin thank you. I buy from eBay.

[@Foxyjen]

Love them so much!! Do you ever sell?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Jen Fox thank you! I don’t have any available but may in the future. I do sell them.

[@thomasplouffe326]

I’m wondering if I can use spray paint for skin because I do not have a airbrush

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I paint my flesh color on with a brush but sir brush hair and blush. You might practice on a worthless doll first

[@arabellasplace3823]

AMAZING

[@lin8148]

How much corn starch to paint?

[@titarutledge431]

Also, I see you paint with acrylics but I know oils- can it work as well? I like original as much as possible- do I have to take all the paint off or can I just do touch-ups? I love your work by the way and am working on an Electra girl while I watch this...

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I think you can definitely use oils. I use oil base for the hair blush and flesh colors. I also touch up folks when they don’t need much

[@titarutledge431]

@@ladonnabriggs8487 Thank you for responding so quickly. So today it seems like more of the paint edges have come up when I thought I was through yesterday! Does this happen to you?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Yes. Some times once you start you can see how brittle the old paint is and it’s hard to find a stopping point.

[@lindanoreika176]

Do you use oil paint for the cheeks and hair, or do you use acrylic? Thank you.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Oil base for airbrushing hair and cheeks snd acrylics for hand painting eyes snd mouth.

[@jasonchiarizia3389]

How do you buy one of your restored compo dolls?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

jason chiarizia look on eBay under composition dolls, you will find tons😊

[@jasonchiarizia3389]

LaDonna Briggs I would like to buy one of your restored dolls. Do you sell them?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Hi Jason, I am only painting reborn dolls now but may do more compositions in the future.

[@Chelliekitty]

I remember these babies from when I was wee little. My mother had one when she was a little girl and I found it in a box deep inside a closet. It scared me. lol I wouldn't touch it

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

That is too funny. Hope she kept it for you.

[@Chelliekitty]

Sadly, no. Not really sure what happened to it throughout the years. Only watching you paint them reminded me even of the experience. Hehe

[@titarutledge431]

So do you take commissions?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I don’t. ❤️

[@DebbieB213]

Do you still do restore composition dolls?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Debbie Bugay I have a few I will be working on

[@DebbieB213]

LaDonna Briggs I have one of these type of dolls that I don't want anymore it doesn't have anything on the back of it no name or date I got it from an estate sale .. if you would like to have it I can send it to you.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Debbie Bugay can you pm me on fb

[@claudettethompson9449]

She is not restoring composition dolls. She is making a different doll out of them.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Claudette Thompson this doll is over 100 years old so definitely not new again but yes the paint is new and I am restoring by filling holes, rebuilding fingers and repairing the old straw bodies.

[@girlscanbedrummers5449]

Why did they use lights for the dolls eyes? Kinda creepy LOL

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

SsFinch with dolls , from what I have read a few of these were made with lighted eyes for Halloween. Yes I agree it was creepy, lol.

[@ROXCANADA2023]

wow!!! really nothing to say oustanding!!!!

[@דודנסימוב]

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