#charmdoll

I actually managed to finish Lunette's new summer/Pride outfit before June ended! I had a lot of fun with it, it was a bit challenging! Once again I used one of 2 beloved socks that were some of my favorite accessories in high school. The straps are pink ribbon with little star buttons on the end. The "socks" take a page from the Only Hearts Club dolls... they're just tubes that go around the ankle.

Because I really love this cutie.

WiP - Howard Link - Face up

That I would be looking forward to paint faces... past-me would have been so confused.

But yeah here is the progress on how I worked on Link's face up! Especially his eyebrow shape was quite challenging.

As yes... I did all the base blushing work in one layer. The whole face up has 3 layers of sealant, Link doesn't have too intense colors it was not needed to seal that often.

I took my time with the linework this time, by coincidence I got new brown acrylics (but for Cosplay) I was able to use together with the one acrylic ink in sepia I have.

Some more fine lines like the teeth and ... some gloss.

Here he is! The eyes are still his temp!eyes, they are at least close to the color I want for him. I'm very satisfied how he turned out.

Finished

WiP - Howard Link - Finishing the Coat & More DETAILS

After all machine parts were done and I kinda figured out the sleeves I pinned down everything to continue later on.

A lot of hand stitching to close seams and add detailing followed. But I'm glad I found a method to make those slits look nice. I struggled with them for so long. Also somehow every time I look at the references I discover new details to add. I was not sure if Link has decorative stitching or not... it somehow differs. Same as the details on like every piece of cloth from that series.

Next up was ironing before I started to add the buttons, I took a photo inbetween to show why I iron the doll clothing, well, not all, like the shirt that's not needed but for coats it just helps to flatten the seams and the method how I add the collars need them ironed down.

As said I somehow always discovered more details, i decided to make ANOTHER little pouch but to skip some more details as ... nobody will ever see them and move onto the buttons.

I can tell I am very satisfied how the coat turned out... I have learned so much over the past months, the progress was sometimes really frustrating or tiring but I have to say it gets better. I had some tiny moments with Link but it was more like it was chewy as I was making slow progress (sleeves) but nothing like Lenalee in begin of the year.

As I didn't want to jump right into painting the face I decided to take a breal but ...

Starting from the left:

Charm Doll color-matched to Dollzone Peach

Luts White

Dollzone Peach (matched by independent doll maker 深海自制)

Mochu color-matched to Dollzone Peach

Guard Love Normal Pink (close to? Mia Normal)

Charm Doll French? White (Yellowed)

WiP - Howard Link, Scars, Glove & Tattoo

As some little fun inbetween all this sewing... and I noticed it would be smart to add everything before I put him into clothing.

I started to cheat with gloves with Mana back then as sorry nope, not making doll sized gloves and they look weird in most of cases anyways.

I actually enjoyed making the scar and painting everything it was really nice for a change. I really need to do more different media work again.

The results are so pleasing I'm glad I decided to go with one hand without glove C:

WiP - Howard Link - Part 1, Top, Pants & Preparation

Here we are again with more ... sewing. I have to say I still don't like sewing that much but I have learned a lot like checking pattern several times to avoid sewing mistakes.

I had decided to start with the pants and the top, the coat would be something for another day as there are too many details to do everything in one day.

To be honest it was enough to tackle for one day because I really felt under too low blood pressure and needed more breaks and sleep than usual... as it was my summer break it was manageable though. I started with the pants, I had cut the parts the day before and already notices the legs were too small and adjusted the pattern. Now the hips were too wide but that was easy to adjust.

I have to say the pants went quite well, this time he (other than Lavi) can sit down without the pants popping open or the back sliding off his butt. I call this a win.

I decided to make the gauntlets and continue with the top. All machine parts for that were done rather quick, so it was time to switch to hand sewing the collar and the button.

As that went quite well too I decided to make a little belt to go with the outfit. And then I checked references for painting him later on and ...

I took refs with my phone and all I said all the time was "what is THIS AND WHY"... like what is this shoe/gauntled situation Link has going on? Why do the tattoos randomly show up q_q this is not helpful... aka I will go the route to do some artistic interpretation here as *what the actual heck is this* and I have no idea if I want to make his weapons, he has several, I might do the seals but everything else...? We will see, for now focus is more on sewing and finishing the actual doll.

I also got reminded Link has a scar and sealed his body and painted the scar that day, as well as cutting some more parts for additional details the next day .... details x_x

WIP - Wig for Link

It has been some time since I made a doll wig I was so motivated to start on Link's wig that I prepared the wig cap the day he arrived :'D

Then making wefts it was. I made a huge batch.

.... I didn't make enough wefts. So I made another batch to continue the next day.

Then I was able to do the parting and let it dry while I was at work.

Final cut and styling followed after I returned home:

Here is the finished wig without all the plastic wrap: